Late-Night Television Programming

From Johnny Carson to Jimmy Kimmel, late-night television is a changing landscape for broadcasters, viewers, and the hosts themselves. Many late-night television hosts rise up from the ranks of stand-up comedy, working their way through lesser known programs to mainstream network programs. Late-night programming, which standardly runs from 11:00 p.m. through 2:00 a.m., affects the social, cultural, and political viewpoint of the average American. This entry provides an overview of late-night television, including its formatting changes over the years, the diversity of its hosts, and the variety of programs, including sketch comedy.