Jamming into the wee hours on TV

For music fans, it’s increasingly worth it to stay up late -- or at least to check the listings for late-night shows with some TiVo consideration. The reason is, there has never been a time when so many network late-night talk shows are willing to take so many chances with their music bookings.

In contrast to the days of Johnny Carson, the late-night neighborhood now has far more addresses, and that has made it possible for cutting-edge bands to get airtime that in the past was reserved largely for established acts.

In a major departure, a number of hosts now hang more importance on their music slots than on their monologue.

“For me, it’s absolutely a huge of part of the show and gives us a lot of the identity that we’re trying to create,” said Carson Daly, host of “Last Call With Carson Daly” on NBC at 1:30 a.m. His show’s music guests this week include the Bravery, Citizen Cope and O.A.R., a far cry from pop confections.

In addition to the guest performers, Daly has brought in a series of visiting house bands. Among the recent ones: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Maceo Parker’s band.

“We want to have music moments that will surprise people and pull them into the show,” he said. “The music act is never an afterthought. I think years ago some shows might have treated it that way.”

Not now. “Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” 12:30 a.m. on NBC, has perhaps set the highest standard by giving multiple-night stands to U2, Neil Young, the White Stripes and the Strokes. The Stripes are must-see TV for a wide base of discerning rock fans and are scheduled to return to the show Dec. 2. Showing his affinity for the music scene, O’Brien even makes a guest turn in the band’s new music video, “The Denial Twist.”

And then there’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on ABC at midnight, which has staged music performances out of the confines of the studio, most memorably a May performance by Audioslave on a Hollywood Boulevard stage that shut down traffic and brought out 5,000 fans.

Kimmel, like Daly, has L.A. rock roots -- both are alumni of KROQ-FM (106.7). “I think with the shows now you’re just getting a whole rhythm,” Daly said.

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-- Geoff Boucher