NBC Toasts Its ‘Late Night’ History

Is it self-serving for NBC to present a history of late-night television that focuses only on NBC programs?

Of course it is. On the other hand, would you really want to watch clips of Merv Griffin, Alan Thicke, Pat Sajak, Chevy Chase, Joan Rivers, Magic Johnson and all the other wannabes who have unsuccessfully done battle with NBC’s unending stream of TV superstars?

Make no mistake: NBC invented the late-night franchise and has dominated the arena ever since, as “50 Years of NBC Late Night” (airing Sunday at 9 p.m.) makes clear.

Oh, sure, Dave What’s-His-Name ruled the ratings on CBS for a couple of years back in the ‘90s. But where did he hone his skills? Why, on NBC, remember?

Sunday’s entertaining special is hosted and co-written by the current occupant of NBC’s 12:35 a.m. weekday slot, Conan O’Brien, who fawns a lot in introducing clips of Dave Letterman, Jay Leno, Johnny Carson, Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Tom Snyder, Bob Costas and “Saturday Night Live.” Better is the setup for highlights from his own show: O’Brien acknowledges that he’s running the risk of “looking like a self-aggrandizing jackass.”

No more so than the network itself. Indeed, most of the material here has been seen before in various anniversary specials for the individual programs, and it’s presented without insight or analysis and only a modicum of historical context. But funny is funny, and this stuff is. So why quibble? Here’s a chance to revel in late-night shenanigans and still get to bed by 11.

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“50 Years of NBC Late Night” can be seen Sunday night at 9 on NBC. The network has rated it TV-14 (may be unsuitable for children younger than 14).