Top 10 Best Late Night TV Hosts

Late-night TV is a world all its own, where hosts blend humor, commentary, and a bit of chaos to entertain viewers who are up late looking for laughs, insights, or maybe even a little irreverence.

The best hosts do more than just crack jokes. They create a space where you feel like part of the conversation, where celebrity interviews become fun, unpredictable moments, and where the day's headlines are spun with a mix of wit and honesty.

The Top Ten

Conan O'Brien

Conan Christopher O'Brien is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer. He is best known for hosting several late-night talk shows, including Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Conan on the cable channel TBS from 2010 to 2021. O'Brien is also known for his work as a writer for Saturday... read more

Conan is incredible. Watching his show always feels a lot different than other talk shows, and it's mostly due to the relationship between Conan and his guests. No matter who they are, they always seem to display a very "at-home" and relaxed sort of vibe.
For years now, Conan's been a huge inspiration in my life because of his friendly demeanor and hilarious talent. From Andy, to Deon, Jimmy Vivino and The Basic Cable Band, to the directors, and other members of the crew, every single one of them adds a little of their own touch to the show, and in turn, incredible shows are constantly produced for viewers.
I sincerely hope I can look forward to seeing Conan O'Brien for many, many more years to come. He really is incredible.
Craig Ferguson

Craig Ferguson is a Scottish-American television host, comedian, author, and actor. He hosted the syndicated game show Celebrity Name Game, for which he won two Daytime Emmy Awards. He also hosted Join or Die with Craig Ferguson on the History channel and was the host of The Late Late Show with Craig... read more

This is a great show. Because of his improvisations and his humor, you discover other sides of the actresses and actors he interviews, like their sense or lack of humor, their cleverness or dumbness, and many other facets of their personality you don't see in serious interviews.
His sometimes right-to-the-point questions show how the interviewed personalities react, and his crude, sudden questions show that even better. Great host!

The greatest of all time. Conan is second.
His interviews with Alice Eve and Jennifer Love Hewitt will always be iconic. Every man should take notes from Craig on how to flirt with women.
Bring him back ASAP!
David Letterman

David Michael Letterman is an American former television and radio host, comedian, writer, producer, and actor. He is best known for hosting late-night talk shows including Late Night with David Letterman and The Late Show with David Letterman.

"The creepy thing is that it has been reported that I have had sex with women on this show. Now, my response to that is: Yes, I have."
Haha, Letterman is brilliant!

Letterman was a great interviewer and a good comedian. I really miss him...

The most intellectual and rebellious host. His interviews always had a bit more to them.
Jimmy Kimmel

James Christian "Jimmy" Kimmel is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer. He is the host and executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a late-night talk show that premiered on ABC in 2003. Kimmel has also hosted major award ceremonies, including the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2012... read more

If you are measuring hosts by their interviewing skills, then Kimmel is at the top of the list. You actually learn something about his guests because he actually interviews them.

I think Kimmel is brilliant, a natural wit. I really like his style. Far and away the best current talk show host, and there are some good ones.

Way better than Fallon. To like Fallon, you need to be able to laugh at certain things he does. To like Kimmel, you have to be a normal person.
Jimmy Fallon

James Thomas "Jimmy" Fallon is an American comedian, television host, actor, singer, writer, and producer. He is best known for hosting "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."

He is the greatest. Really my favorite talk show host. He is actually funny and not boring like every other host, except maybe Craig. My favorite, and I hope he does well on The Tonight Show. Congrats, Jimmy.

Jimmy is the best host. I swear he has a good relationship with every celebrity in Hollywood. He is such a nice person, and he's always so positive. His games are really funny and entertaining.

I was sad to see Jay Leno leave, but with someone as good as Jimmy Fallon taking his place, there is no doubt in my mind that he will do great and become a new late-night legend.
Stephen Colbert

Stephen Tyrone Colbert is an American comedian, writer, producer, actor, media critic, and television host. He gained fame as a correspondent on The Daily Show and later hosted The Colbert Report. Since 2015, he has been the host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS.

You just gotta love Colbert. His satirical humor is on point. Even in these dark times, his jokes never fail to put a smile on my face. He brings the big guns to the table for every single one of his monologues on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, making each one feel unique and fresh.

Another host who actually interviews a guest rather than just continuing their comedy act. I like a host who is entertaining but also actually does an interview and lets you get to know a little about the guest.
Johnny Carson

John William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host, comedian, writer, producer, actor, and musician. He is best known for hosting "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" for three decades.

Most of these hosts will tell you that they look to Johnny Carson for inspiration. There's a reason for that: because he was the best.

He invented the modern talk show. There's a reason why no one could ever top him and why he was the host of The Tonight Show for 30 years.

The best late-night talk/comedy/variety show ever. Tightly produced with the ability to go free-wheeling. Irreplaceable!
John Oliver

John William Oliver is an English comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host. He began his career as a stand-up comedian in the United Kingdom before gaining recognition in the United States. He is best known for hosting the HBO series Last Week Tonight with John Oliver... read more

Honestly, his Trump jokes never fail to make me laugh. Oliver is funny and is almost always worth staying up for.
Jay Leno

James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno (born April 28, 1950) is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and television host. He became widely known as the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, which he hosted from 1992 to 2009 and again from 2010 to 2014. Leno also hosted The Jay Leno Show and... read more

Jay is so funny. Even looking at his face is really funny. I enjoy his segments like his monologues, headlines, USA vs. world, jaywalking, making fun of Arnold Schwarzenegger, etc. I want this guy in the number 1 spot soon.

Jay Leno is the most consistent late-night host. I have been watching him for 22 years and never stop enjoying him. I've watched them all, and my opinion has not changed: Jay Leno is the best.

The best ever. Even better than Johnny Carson. There is a reason current late-night talk shows are losing popularity. They have become hateful and very politically motivated.
Seth Meyers

Seth Adam Meyers is an American comedian, writer, producer, actor, and television host. He currently hosts Late Night with Seth Meyers on NBC. Before that, he was a long-time Saturday Night Live cast member and head writer, best known for anchoring the Weekend Update segment.

Late Night with Seth Meyers is pretty funny, in my opinion. I like the jokes (it's comedy I enjoy), and I prefer him over Fallon and Kimmel.

Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant.

The Newcomers

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Chevy Chase

Cornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase (born October 8, 1943) is an American comedian, actor and writer. He became the breakout cast member in the first season of Saturday Night Live (1975-1976), where his recurring Weekend Update segment became a staple of the show. As both a performer and a writer on the series... read more
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Greg Gutfeld

The Contenders

Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart (born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz. November 28, 1962) is an American comedian, writer, producer, director, political commentator, actor, and television host.
He was the long-running host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central from 1999 to 2015. Stewart returned to the satirical news program... read more

The best intelligent humor! But I like Conan too.
Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah (born 20 February 1984) is a South African comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host. He hosted The Daily Show, an American late-night talk show and satirical news program on Comedy Central, from 2015 to 2022.... read more

He makes intelligent jokes. Simple, but intelligent. Trevor Noah rocks!

Trevor is droll and funny, also worldly without being world-weary.

Should be higher than Fallon as well. Noah almost never fails to make me laugh.
James Corden

James Kimberley Corden OBE, born August 22, 1978, is an English actor, comedian, and television host. He was the host of The Late Late Show with James Corden, a late-night talk show on CBS, from 2015 until 2023. Corden is also known for co-creating and starring in the British comedy series Gavin & Stacey... read more

Very talented in so many ways. Love, love, love karaoke carpool!

He is naturally very quick and hilarious in his delivery.

Best personality. Most diverting show.
Dick Cavett
Samantha Bee

Samantha Bee is a Canadian American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actress, media critic, and television host. She rose to prominence as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In 2016, she launched her own late-night talk show, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, which received... read more

Sam Bee may be new, but she is definitely better than Conan. Conan is annoying, and Sam Bee just got her chance to roast him in her cold open. Make way for the new queen of late night.

Full Frontal is hilarious. Samantha Bee should be a little higher than 25 (even though she's newer).

Love her wit and searing intelligence.
Graham Norton

Graham William Walker, better known by his stage name Graham Norton, is an Irish television and radio presenter, comedian, and actor based in the United Kingdom. He rose to prominence with his BBC radio show and went on to host the long‑running BBC One chat show The Graham Norton Show. Norton is recognized... read more
Arsenio Hall
Steve Allen

Talented plus great sidekicks and super guests. He shared the spotlight.
Craig Kilborn

I miss his late-night talk show. He is one of the BEST.
Eric Andre

Amazing host of the funniest show.

Funny comedy, great show. Make more! Yeah, I'm looking at you, Andre.
Carson Daly
Chelsea Handler

Chelsea Joy Handler (born February 25, 1975) is an American stand-up comedian, actress, writer, television host, and producer.
She hosted the late-night talk show Chelsea Lately on the E! network from 2007 to 2014 and released a documentary series, Chelsea Does, on Netflix in January 2016.... read more
Joan Rivers

Joan Alexandra Molinsky (1933 to 2014), known professionally as Joan Rivers, was an American comedian, actress, writer, producer, and television host. She was the first woman to host a late-night network talk show (The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers, 1986 to 1987). Rivers was celebrated for her acerbic... read more
Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes is an American comedian, writer, actress, and voice artist. She first gained recognition for her work as a writer on The Chris Rock Show, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1999. In 2004, Entertainment Weekly named Sykes one of the 25 funniest people in America.
Dick Clark