LateLine (1998)
A sharp NBC sitcom skewering late-night TV news from the inside, created by Al Franken and John Markus.
LateLine - Series Information
- Original Title: LateLine
- First Air Year: 1998
- Last Air Year: 1999
- Created by: Al Franken, John Markus
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: March 17, 1998 (United States - TV-14)
- Networks: NBC
- Production Countries: United States of America
LateLine - Plot
LateLine is an American TV sitcom that ran on NBC from March 17, 1998, through March 16, 1999. Due to an abrupt cancellation, there were seven unaired episodes. Created by John Markus and Al Franken, LateLine depicted the behind-the-scenes goings-on of a fictitious late-night television news broadcast, patterned in part after the long-running ABC program Nightline. Many plotlines in the series were satirical, dealing with topics like Deep Throat and the Watergate break-in, and the episodes often had cameos by famous politicians. On August 17, 2004, Paramount released a DVD set containing all nineteen episodes on three discs.
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LateLine - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Al Franken
- John Markus
Main Cast
- Al Franken
- Megyn Price
- Miguel Ferrer
- Ajay Naidu
- Sanaa Lathan
- Catherine Lloyd Burns
- Robert Foxworth
- Caroline Aaron
- Judah Friedlander
- G. Gordon Liddy
Writers
- Al Franken
LateLine - FAQs
What real TV show inspired LateLine?
LateLine was modeled largely after ABC's long-running Nightline. The fictional newscast at the heart of the show mirrored Nightline's format and tone, giving creators Al Franken and John Markus a rich canvas for political satire and behind-the-scenes comedy set in the world of late-night broadcast journalism.
Why was LateLine cancelled with episodes unaired?
NBC cancelled LateLine abruptly before its run concluded, leaving seven episodes unaired. The show struggled to find a wide audience despite its sharp satirical premise and notable cast. Those seven unaired episodes were eventually included in the complete DVD release issued by Paramount in August 2004.
Who are the main actors in LateLine?
The ensemble cast features Al Franken as Al Freundlich, Megyn Price as Gale Ingersoll, Miguel Ferrer as Vic Kobb, Ajay Naidu as Raji Bakshi, Sanaa Lathan as Briana Gilliam, Catherine Lloyd Burns as Mona, Robert Foxworth as Pearce McKenzie, Caroline Aaron, Judah Friedlander, and G. Gordon Liddy.
Did real politicians appear as guests on LateLine?
Yes, real-world political figures made cameo appearances throughout the series, which was one of its most distinctive features. The show leaned into this device to sharpen its satirical edge, blending fictional storylines with recognizable public figures to lampoon the intersection of politics and television news.
Where can you watch LateLine today?
LateLine is not currently available on major streaming platforms. Your best option is the Paramount DVD set released on August 17, 2004, which contains all nineteen episodes across three discs, including the seven episodes that never aired during the show's original NBC run. Check second-hand retailers for availability.
How many episodes does LateLine have in total?
LateLine produced nineteen episodes in total across two seasons, though only twelve aired during its original NBC broadcast run. The remaining seven were left unaired due to the show's abrupt cancellation. All nineteen episodes were later compiled and released on DVD by Paramount in 2004.
What political topics did LateLine satirize?
The series tackled a range of politically charged subjects, including Deep Throat and the Watergate break-in. Its satirical storylines used the backdrop of a fictional late-night newscast to skewer Washington culture, media sensationalism, and the personalities that populate the space where politics and broadcast journalism collide.
What shows are similar to LateLine?
Fans of LateLine's newsroom comedy and media satire often enjoy Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Murphy Brown, and Drop the Dead Donkey, all of which explore behind-the-scenes broadcast television with sharp wit. Less than Perfect and The Mary Tyler Moore Show also share its workplace comedy sensibility.
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