List of late-night American network TV programs
Late-night television in the United States is the block of television programming intended for broadcast after 11:00 p.m. and usually through 2:00 a.m. Eastern and Pacific Time, but which informally can include programs aired as late as the designated overnight graveyard slot.
By definition, late night programming begins on the Big Three television networks at or shortly before 11:35 p.m. ET/PT, after the conclusion of local late-evening newscasts on their owned-and-operated and affiliated stations; late night programming on other broadcast networks, including Fox and PBS, and cable television channels start at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. Some streaming services have ventured into the late-night talk format at various times in recent years, though these programs are in-format-only, given that episodes are often released before the start of the designated time period.
The following is a list of programs that are currently airing or have previously aired during the late night daypart on American television networks and streaming services.
Current
For the purposes of this page, shows that air after midnight are considered to have been broadcast late night, the previous day.Past
Broadcast networks
ABC
The Les Crane Show – interview/tabloid talk format with audience questions- * ABC's Nightlife – talk/variety series serving as a reformatting of The Les Crane Show; originally featured rotating hosts, before Crane returned as host in June 1965The Joey Bishop Show The Dick Cavett Show Wide World of Entertainment – originally a block of comedy/variety programs, talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett and Jack Paar, concerts, documentaries and specials; reformatted as ABC Late Night in 1976, featuring reruns of ABC prime time shows
- * In Concert – aired Friday nights
- * Good Night America – hosted by Geraldo Rivera; aired as part of ABC's Wide World of Entertainment
- * Fridays – sketch comedy seriesThe Last Word – hosted by Phil Donahue and Greg JacksonOne on One – hosted by Greg JacksonEye on Hollywood – entertainment news/interview programABC Rocks – music video program; aired Friday nightsLifestyles of the Rich and Famous – reality/documentary series, hosted by Robin Leach; aired simultaneously on ABC and in syndicationThe Dick Cavett Show – aired Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Jimmy Breslin's People – aired Thursdays and FridaysMonday Sportsnite – sports discussion program; hosted by Al Trautwig; aired Monday nightsInto the Night Starring Rick Dees ABC In Concert – aired Friday nights
- * ABC In Concert Country – country music-focused spin-off; aired Saturday nightsPolitically Incorrect with Bill Maher – topical panel talk show; moved from Comedy CentralNightline Up Close – ABC News spin-off of Nightline, featuring one-on-one interviews conducted by Ted Koppel; temporary replacement for Politically Incorrect following cancellation due to Maher's comments about the perpetrators of the September 11 attacksThe Alec Baldwin Show
- Celebrity Family Feud - with Steve Harvey. ABC aired repeats of the prime-time game show while Jimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended due to the controversy over remarks made during Kimmel's monologue following the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
CBS
The Faye Emerson Show – 15-minute chat show, began as an East Coast program before expanding to the full network, airing three nights a week, by March 1950; Emerson also concurrently hosted a show on NBC for several months in 1950.The Merv Griffin Show The CBS Late Movie – originally formatted as a weeknight movie showcase; began incorporating reruns of CBS series as well as some first-run British imported series during the block's timeslot in 1977CBS News Nightwatch – overnight topical discussion program; hosted by Harold Dow, Christopher Glenn, Karen Stone, Felicia Jeter, Mary Jo West, Charlie Rose and Lark McCarthy ; various hosts were used from 1990 to 1992CBS Late Night – reformatting of The CBS Late Movie block featuring reruns of CBS series, imported and first-run programs; block was replaced by The Pat Sajak Show in January 1989, and returned following the reduction of Sajak to an hour-long format- * Keep on Cruisin' – weekly variety series produced by Dick Clark; hosted by Stephen Bishop and Sinbad; aired Fridays
- * In Person from the Palace – weekly music series produced by Dick Clark, featuring taped concert performances from the Palace Theater in Hollywood; aired Fridays
- * Top of the Pops – music series based on the BBC pop music show; hosted by Nia Peeples; aired Fridays
- * Overtime... with Pat O'Brien – interview program; canceled after three episodes
- * The Midnight Hour – talk/variety show featuring rotating hosts and Patrice Rushen as bandleaderThe Pat Sajak Show – featured Dan Miller as announcer/sidekick and Tom Scott as bandleader; originally running for 90 minutes, for its second season, the talk show was reduced to 60 minutes and began utilizing guest hosts substituting for Sajak on Fridays America Tonight – news and interview program produced by CBS News; hosted by Dan Rather, Charles Kuralt and Lesley Stahl
- * America Tonight Friday – Friday edition hosted by Robert Krulwich and Edie MagnusCrimetime After Primetime – weeknight showcase of first-run and Canadian-imported crime dramasPersonals – dating game show in which a contestant would choose from three potential dates; the final round featured a series of yes or no questions for the winning couple, with a date destination that declined in quality each time their answers were incompatible ; hosted by Michael BurgerNight Games – dating show in which three men and three women are asked questions containing sexual innuendo, with the winning contestant choosing whom he or she would take on a date; hosted by Jeff Marder, with Luann Lee as his announcer/assistantUp to the Minute – overnight newscast; replaced CBS News NightwatchThe Kids in the Hall – sketch comedy series, aired Fridays; moved from HBOThe Late Show
- * Late Show with David Letterman The Late Late Show
- * The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder
- * The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
- * The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
- * The Late Late Show with James Corden The Talk After Dark – nighttime edition of CBS daytime program; temporary replacement for the Late Late Show during transition from Craig Ferguson to James Corden.CBS Summer Showcase – showcase of CBS drama reruns; temporary replacement for the Late Show during transition from David Letterman to Stephen Colbert as host.CBS Overnight News – overnight newscast; replaced Up to the MinuteAfter Midnight - with Taylor Tomlinson. Comedy panel game show featuring comedians and celebrities competing for fictional prizes. Aired at 12:30 AM in the former Late Late Show slot following The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and produced by Colbert's production company.
NBC
The Faye Emerson Show / Fifteen with Faye – 15-minute talk showBroadway Open House Party Time at Club Roma – variety show hosted by Ben Alexander, described as "part Truth or Consequences-type stunt show and part talent contest".Dagmar's Canteen, continuation of Broadway Open House with a military theme in which Dagmar and service members would take part in sketchesMary Kay's Nightcap – 15-minute sign-off show in which Mary Kay Stearns would preview NBC's schedule for the following day, with occasional interviews.The Tonight Show- * Tonight Starring Steve Allen
- **Tonight Starring Ernie Kovacs, aired Monday and Tuesday nights to relieve Allen who was also hosting a weekly prime-time show, while Allen continued hosting Tonight Wednesdays through Fridays.
- * Tonight! America After Dark
- * Tonight Starring Jack Paar
- * The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
- * The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
- * The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien The Tomorrow Show – hosted by Tom Snyder and co-hosted by Rona Barrett from October 1980 until mid-1981; aired Monday–Thursday nights following The Tonight Show, with reruns continuing following its cancellation until January 28, 1982The Midnight Special – music series; aired Friday nightsWeekend – NBC News newsmagazine hosted by Lloyd Dobyns, and co-hosted in its final year by Linda Ellerbee; aired about one week per month in lieu of Saturday Night Live reruns, before being moved to prime time until it ended in April 1979SCTV Network 90 – Canadian sketch comedy series; aired Friday nightsLate Night
- * Late Night with David Letterman
- * Late Night with Conan O'Brien
- * Late Night with Jimmy Fallon NBC News Overnight – overnight news/discussion program; hosted by Lloyd Dobyns and Linda EllerbeeFriday Night Videos – weekly series; originally formatted as a music video showcase, converted to a variety format in 1994
- * Late Friday – reformat of Friday Night focused on stand-up comedy routinesSaturday Night's Main Event – World Wrestling Federation wrestling showcase; aired occasionally as filler in place of Saturday Night Live reruns Later – switched between one-on-one interview and conventional late-night talk/monologue formats during its run; reruns of SCTV Network 90 aired under the Later banner for the latter's final year after its talk format was discontinued in January 2001
- * Later with Bob Costas
- * Later with Greg Kinnear
- * Later
- * Later with Cynthia Garrett NBC Nightside – overnight newscast; produced by Charlotte-based video wire service NBC News ChannelPoker After Dark – poker tournament programThe Jay Leno Show Last Call with Carson Daly – originally maintained conventional late-night talk/comedy format; switched to on-location, documentary-style interview format in 2009A Little Late with Lilly Singh – replaced Last Call with Carson Daly in the 1:37 a.m. ET timeslot; format was a mixture of interviews, comedy sketches, and commentary "rants"
Fox">Fox Broadcasting Company">Fox
The Late Show- * The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers
- * The Late Show The Wilton North Report – satirical newsmagazine/talk/variety show hosted by Phil Cowan and Paul Robins; aired as a temporary replacement for The Late ShowComic Strip Live – weekly stand-up comedy series; depending on the market, it aired on either Saturday or Sunday eveningThe Chevy Chase Show – infamously panned talk show cancelled after a five-week run, which became Fox's last regular weekday late night programming effort to dateSaturday Night's Main Event – weekly WWF wrestling showcase; moved from NBCMad TV – sketch comedy series; aired Saturday nightsSaturday Night Special – sketch comedy/variety series, aired Saturday nights; produced by Roseanne BarrTalkshow with Spike Feresten – aired Saturday nightsThe Wanda Sykes Show – aired Saturday nightsAnimation Domination High-Def – weekly block of adult animated series; aired Saturday nightsParty Over Here – sketch comedy series; aired Saturday nights, as the network's last first-run late night effort to date
[DuMont Television Network]
Monodrama Theater – variety series, aired Monday–Friday at 11:00 p.m. ET, featuring an actress or actor performing plays solo in front of a curtain in a form of monodramaThe Ernie Kovacs Show – the DuMont version of the program aired Monday–Friday 11:15 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. ET, ending as the network began winding down operations; Kovacs moved to NBC and hosted the Tonight Show on Mondays and Tuesdays for one season[PBS]
Soul! – syndicated by WNDT–WNET/Newark–New York City- Late Night America – talk and viewer call-in program hosted by Dennis Wholey; originally titled PBS LateNight from 1982 to 1984, formatted as a half-hour weeknight program and later as a two-hour weekly show ; syndicated by WTVS/DetroitCharlie Rose – syndicated by WNET/Newark–New York CityCharlie Rose: The Week – "week-in-review" program featuring interviews from Charlie Rose, and news and cultural summaries; aired Fridays, and syndicated by WNET/Newark–New York CityTavis Smiley – syndicated by KCET/Los Angeles and WNET/Newark–New York City Amanpour on PBS – repurposed version of Christiane Amanpour's CNN International world affairs interview program; syndicated by WNET/Newark–New York CityBeyond 100 Days – rebroadcast of BBC World News world affairs newscast primarily covering the early days of the first Donald Trump presidency; syndicated by KCET/Los AngelesBBC World News on PBS – late night international newscast; syndicated by KCET/Los Angeles
[Telemundo]
A Oscuras Pero Encendidos – hosted by Paul Bouche; moved from GalavisiónMas Vale Tarde – hosted by Alex CambertTelefutura / UniMás">UniMás">Telefutura / UniMás
- ''Noche de Perros''
United Network">Overmyer Network">United Network
The Las Vegas Show – variety show starring Bill DanaSyndication">Broadcast syndication">Syndication
The Steve Allen Show – a revival of Allen's original Tonight format; syndicated by FilmwaysDon Kirshner's Rock Concert – music programMary Hartman, Mary Hartman – soap opera parody produced by Norman LearAll That Glitters – soap opera parody produced by Norman Lear2 Night – talk show parody starring Martin Mull and Fred Willard; spinoff of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman- * America 2-Night – continuation series/spinoff of Fernwood 2 NightThe Love Experts – dating game show hosted by Bill CullenThe Uncle Floyd Show – hosted by Floyd Vivino; regionally distributed in the northeastern United StatesThe George Michael Sports Machine – Sunday night sports highlight and interview show hosted by sportscaster George Michael; syndicated by ITC Entertainment, Group W Productions, and NBC Enterprises/NBCUniversal Television Distribution Almost Live! – weekly sketch comedy/variety series from KING-TV in Seattle; was briefly syndicated in the early 1990sNightlife – hosted by David Brenner; syndicated by King WorldAsk Dr Ruth – sex advice talk show hosted by sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer and Larry Angelo
- Sunday Night – weekly music showcase for jazz and eclectic artists; syndicated by Broadway VideoThe Arsenio Hall Show – syndicated by Paramount Domestic Television and CBS Television Distribution The Byron Allen Show – originally formatted as an hour-long weekly program, converted to a half-hour weeknight format in 1992; syndicated by Genesis Entertainment[The Howard Stern television shows|Howard Stern Show (1990 TV program)|The Howard Stern Show] – syndicated by All American TelevisionMy Talk Show – talk show parody; syndicated by MCA TelevisionThe Party Machine with Nia Peeples – musical variety show; syndicated by Paramount Domestic TelevisionThe Ron Reagan Show – political talk show; syndicated by MCA TelevisionThe Dennis Miller Show – following its cancellation, new episodes aired until July 24, 1992; syndicated by Tribune EntertainmentThe Whoopi Goldberg Show – syndicated by Genesis EntertainmentThe Jon Stewart Show – Season 1 originated on MTV; season 2 was syndicated by Paramount Domestic TelevisionLast Call – discussion show featuring five panelists, syndicated by MCA TelevisionThe Newz – sketch comedy series; syndicated by Columbia Pictures Television DistributionLauren Hutton and... – syndicated by Turner Original ProductionsNight Stand with Dick Dietrick – weekly tabloid talk show parody starring Timothy Stack; syndicated by Worldvision EnterprisesKwik Witz – weekly improvisational comedy series; syndicated by Beau & Arrow Productions and Hearst EntertainmentThe Keenen Ivory Wayans Show – syndicated by Buena Vista TelevisionVibe – hosted by Chris Spencer until October 1997, and then Sinbad until the series' cancellation; syndicated by Columbia TriStar TelevisionThe Michael Essany Show – originally aired on public-access television, then expanded to include a cable telecast on E! for two seasonsThe Magic Hour – hosted by Magic Johnson; syndicated by 20th TelevisionComics Unleashed with Byron Allen – syndicated by Entertainment Studios ; repeats and some previously unaired episodes aired on the full CBS network from 2023 to 2024 as a temporary replacement for The Late Late Show during the transition to its timeslot successor After Midnight. The show returned to the full CBS network in September 2025 following the cancellation of After Midnight.The Edge with Jake Sasseville Late Night Republic with Jake Sasseville
[Metromedia]
The Merv Griffin Show – King World assumed syndication rights in 1984, although the show continued to be carried on Metromedia-owned stations until shortly after the group's sale to Fox/News Corporation in 1986Thicke of the Night – hosted by Alan Thicke; aired on Metromedia-owned stations and syndicated by MGM/UA Television to other marketsThe Jerry Lewis Show – aired as a one-week trial run following Thicke of the Nights cancellationWestinghouse Broadcasting (Group W)">Westinghouse Broadcasting">Westinghouse Broadcasting (Group W)
Programs syndicated by Group W Productions aired on Westinghouse-owned stations and were syndicated to other markets; merged with CBS in 1996 to become Eyemark Entertainment, and folded into King World in 2000 by CBS.PM East /PM West The Steve Allen Show – a revival of Allen's original Tonight format; unofficially known as "The Steve Allen Westinghouse Show" or "The Steve Allen Playhouse" to distinguish it from the prime time show of the same nameThat Regis Philbin Show! The Merv Griffin Show The David Frost Show The Howard Stern Radio Show – distributed by Group W successor Eyemark EntertainmentLocal television
Night Train, first nationally syndicated R & B show to feature an all-Black cast. Hosted and produced by Noble Blackwell. Aired late Friday nights and featured performers such as James Brown, Joe Tex, BB King, Jimi Hendrix, Gladys Knight, Otis Redding, and Jackie ShaneAlmost Live! – weekly sketch comedy/variety series; aired as a local program for most of its runA Oscuras Pero Encendidos – hosted by Paul Bouche; moved to Galavisión in 1997 and finally to Telemundo in 2000Man of the People with Pat Tomasulo – weekly series- Talk Tonight – weekly seriesThe Nite Show with Danny Cashman, aired late Saturday nights. Original version of show aired on Bangor's WB affiliate and then on its UPN outlet. Final version syndicated throughout Maine. Final guest was David Letterman.
Cable/satellite
AMC">AMC (TV channel)">AMC
Dietland – scripted dark comedy-drama seriesGeeking Out – pop culture comedy talk show hosted by Kevin Smith and Greg GrunbergTalking Bad – live aftershow discussing episodes of the AMC scripted drama Breaking Bad, hosted by Chris HardwickTalking Saul – live aftershow discussing episodes of the AMC scripted drama Better Call Saul, hosted by Chris Hardwick[Adult Swim]
- ''Hot Package''
[BET]
The Mo'Nique ShowBravo">Bravo (American TV network)">Bravo
Kathy – hosted by Kathy GriffinCMT">CMT (American TV channel)">CMT
[Comedy Central]
The Daily Show- * The Daily Show with Craig Kilborn
- * The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
- * The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Night After Night with Allan Havey Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher – topical panel talk show; subsequently moved to ABC, where it continued until September 2002The Chris Wylde Show Starring Chris Wylde Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn Insomniac with Dave Attell Too Late with Adam Carolla Weekends at the D.L. – hosted by D.L. HughleyThe Colbert Report Chocolate News – news satire program hosted by David Alan GrierThe Jeff Dunham Show The Benson Interruption – stand-up comedy program hosted by Doug BensonSports Show with Norm Macdonald – sports news satire programGabriel Iglesias Presents Stand Up Revolution – stand-up comedy programThe Jeselnik Offensive @midnight with Chris Hardwick – viral video panel game show; rebooted in January 2024 as After Midnight on CBSAdam Devine's House Party Comedy Underground with Dave Attell The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail – stand-up comedy program hosted Jonah Ray and Kumail NanjianiThe Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore – news satire talk showWhy? with Hannibal Buress Not Safe with Nikki Glaser The Gorburger Show – talk show parody hosted by T.J. MillerThe High Court with Doug Benson – comedy court showProblematic with Moshe Kasher The Opposition with Jordan Klepper
- ''The Jim Jefferies Show''
[E!]
The Howard Stern Radio Show- * The Howard Stern Interview
- * Howard Stern Chelsea Lately – hosted by Chelsea HandlerHello Ross – hosted by Ross MathewsThe Grace Helbig Show We Have Issues – weekly pop culture comedy series hosted by Julian McCullough and Annie LedermanBusy Tonight – hosted by Busy Philipps
Freeform">Freeform (TV network)">Freeform
Truth & Iliza – hosted by Iliza Schlesinger[Fox News]
Red Eye- ''The Greg Gutfeld Show''
[Foxnet]
Fuse">Fuse (TV channel)">Fuse
White Guy Talk Show – pop culture comedy talk show hosted by Saurin Choksi and Grace Parra[Fusion TV]
The Chris Gethard Show – phone-in comedy/variety talk show; originally a local program on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network in the New York City area from 2011 to 2015, moved to truTV in 2017- No, You Shut Up! – live-action/puppet parody panel debate show hosted by Paul F. Tompkins
FX">FX (TV network)">FX
[FXX]
[Galavisión]
A Oscuras Pero Encendidos – hosted by Paul Bouche; moved to Telemundo in 2000[G4TechTV]
- ''Unscrewed with Martin Sargent''
[HBO]
Def Comedy Jam – stand-up comedy programDennis Miller Live Mr. Show with Bob and David – sketch comedy series starring Bob Odenkirk and David CrossThe Chris Rock Show Reverb – weekly music programDef Poetry Jam – spoken word poetry program hosted by Mos DefDa Ali G Show – satirical comedy talk show starring Sacha Baron CohenHistory">History (American TV network)">History
[MSNBC]
[MTV]
The Jon Stewart Show Oddville, MTV The New Tom Green Show Nikki & Sara Live – hosted by Nikki Glaser and Sara SchaeferNational Geographic">National Geographic (American TV channel)">National Geographic
- ''StarTalk''
Showtime">Showtime (TV network)">Showtime
Inside Comedy – interview program hosted by David SteinbergDesus & Mero – hosted by Desus Nice and The Kid Mero[Sundance TV]
- The Writers' Room – documentary series hosted by Jim Rash
TBS">TBS (American TV channel)">TBS
Lopez Tonight Conan Deon Cole's Black Box – comedic viral video commentary seriesThe Pete Holmes Show Full Frontal with Samantha Bee – news satire show[TechTV]
- ''Unscrewed with Martin Sargent''
TLC">TLC (TV channel)">TLC
Fashionably Late with Stacy London Late Night Joy – hosted by Joy Behar[The [Nashville Network]]
Nashville Now – hosted by Ralph EmeryMusic City Tonight – hosted by Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase[TV Land]
ALF's Hit Talk Show Throwing Shade – weekly television version of the comedy discussion podcast, hosted by Erin Gibson and Bryan SafiTV One">TV One (American TV channel)">TV One
Donnie After Dark – talk show hosted by Donnie Simpson[TruTV]
The Chris Gethard Show – phone-in comedy/variety talk show; moved from Fusion[USA Network]
USA Up All Night – B movie showcase; hosted by Gilbert Gottfried and, for much of its run, Rhonda Shear; title remained in use after the program's cancellation as an umbrella title for USA's late-night movie presentations until 2002[VH1]
Late World with Zach- ''VH1 Live!''
Viceland">Vice TV">Viceland
- ''Desus & Mero''