The Late Show
Series Overview
The Late Show is a British television arts magazine programme that was broadcast on BBC Two weeknights at 11.15pm—directly after Newsnight—often referred to as the "graveyard slot" in terms of television scheduling. The series was commissioned by BBC Two Controller Alan Yentob, who had a background in serious arts documentaries, but the production team — led by Michael Jackson. The series combined a number of format elements from earlier BBC arts magazine programmes such as Monitor and Late Night Line-Up. With the cancellation of The Old Grey Whistle Test the series became one of the few spaces on BBC television for live music performances. The series originally featured a round-table discussion hosted by Clive James on Friday nights. However this format was dropped after the second season. The show pulled in heavyweight popular music acts live or pre-recorded, including Van Morrison, Leonard Cohen, Public Enemy, Joni Mitchell, The Stone Roses, Dick Dale, and Jeff Buckley.
Broadcast Schedule & Network Information
Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.
Broadcast Syndication
2 Seasons • 3 Episodes
1988 – Present
Premiered: Fri, Nov 4, 1988
Creative Production Team
Latest Aired Episode
Season 7, Episode 78: “French Week 1”
Seasons & Episodes Breakdown
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Late Show.
More Series Like The Late Show
Shows sharing similar genres, audiences, and storylines.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Late Show
Key facts, seasons breakdown, and credits for search engines and AI assistants.
What is The Late Show about?
The Late Show is a British television arts magazine programme that was broadcast on BBC Two weeknights at 11.15pm—directly after Newsnight—often referred to as the "graveyard slot" in terms of television scheduling. The series was commissioned by BBC Two Controller Alan Yentob, who had a background in serious arts documentaries, but the production team — led by Michael Jackson. The series combined a number of format elements from earlier BBC arts magazine programmes such as Monitor and Late Night Line-Up. With the cancellation of The Old Grey Whistle Test the series became one of the few spaces on BBC television for live music performances. The series originally featured a round-table discussion hosted by Clive James on Friday nights. However this format was dropped after the second season. The show pulled in heavyweight popular music acts live or pre-recorded, including Van Morrison, Leonard Cohen, Public Enemy, Joni Mitchell, The Stone Roses, Dick Dale, and Jeff Buckley.
How many seasons does The Late Show have?
The Late Show comprises 2 seasons available to explore.
Who stars in The Late Show?
Key cast members in The Late Show include Not specified.
Who created or directed The Late Show?
The Late Show was developed and directed by Not specified.