Late Night
- Director: Nisha Ganatra
- Writer: Mindy Kaling
- Producer: Ben Browning; Mindy Kaling; Howard Klein; Jillian Apfelbaum
CGiii Comment
Emma Thompson channels Ellen DeGeneres!
Talk about Hollywood jumping on the politically correct bandwagon and missing completely. Emma Thompson's Katherine is an unspeakable harridan, she's a grotesque, out-and-out bully...and, of course, she mellows after having the many errors of her ways publicly revealed! This is that 'celebrity apology' that we have all grown so weary of...that lame 'I'm sorry' after some kind of meltdown...whether it be a tweeted rant, an exposed hypocrisy, a drunken brawl...or, a sozzled seduction! Say 'I'm sorry' and all is forgiven.
There are a couple of snappy one-liners...alas, they are few and far between which may come as a surprise since Late Night is about [serious] comedy writers writing [serious] comedy! Acerbic...it most certainly is not. Instead...this is cutesy, PC box-ticking, saccharine-soaked, hero-worship at its stomach-churningly worst.
The final scene will make you groan [loudly]...the oxymoron that is 'positive discrimination' is thrown - unapologetically - in your face. Workplace diversity...is it a necessity? Or, should it be that the vacant position be offered - regardless of race, religion, gender, sexuality, age, ability, disability - to the person who can do the job? A big question indeed...too big for this Late Night discussion!
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Legendary late-night talk show host's world is turned upside down when she hires her only female staff writer. Originally intended to smooth over diversity concerns, her decision has unexpectedly hilarious consequences as the two women separated by culture and generation are united by their love of a biting punchline.
Cast & Characters
Emma Thompson as Katherine;
Ike Barinholtz;
Amy Ryan;
Megalyn Echikunwoke;
John Lithgow;
Mindy Kaling as Molly Patel;
Hugh Dancy;
Max Casella as Burditt;
Paul Walter Hauser;
Denis O'Hare;
Reid Scott;
Faith Logan as British Comedy Club Patron;
John Early;
Blake DeLong;
Doris McCarthy as Audience Member;
Billy Peck as The Astronaut;
Luke Slattery as Hayes Campbell;
Rupak Ginn as Man Asking Question;
Paige Gilbert as Dee;
Sophie Zucker as Receptionist