the late shift be an interesting made for hbo movie that take a detailed look at the power struggle that ensue between david letterman and jay leno when johnny carson announce his retirement and both want to replace him . this struggle be now part of hollywood folklore and but for those who do not know the story and be aware of where letterman be now and it might be interest to learn that david letterman want to replace johnny carson a host of the tonight show more than anything in the world and but letterman find his dream be derail a frequent guest host leno have one of hollywood most powerful agent and helen kushnick and in his corner and work tirelessly to get her client the job . it not often that we get to see behind the scene hollywood machination recreate for entertainment value and but for fan of these two late night superstar and this movie provide a fascinating look at a very turbulent period in late night television . accord to this movie and letterman be practically promise the job by carson himself while nbc have promise the job to leno and that where helen kushnick come in . the movie present leno a sort of a milquetoast who allow his career to be manipulate by kushnick and feign ignorance to some of helen strong willed manipulation of some of nbc big power player and it present letterman a this smart and savvy businessman who and despite have carson support and be railroad by nbc and kushnick . john michael higgins and daniel roebuck credibly recreate letterman and leno and respectively and but it be the razor sharp performance of oscar winner kathy bates a helen kushnick that keep this movie bubbling . bat command the screen in one of her best and if not so well known performance a the venomous hollywood agent who eat television studio executive for breakfast . there be also a wonderful turn by impressionist rich little a johnny carson and but it be primarily a fascinating story and the powerhouse performance by bates that make this one worth check out .