Late-night television is like a giant bowl of macaroni and cheese — warm, familiar and totally indulgent. But what better way to wrap up a long, tiring day than with a few snarky jokes from the grandfather-esque David Letterman or the goofy, red-haired Conan O’Brien? They remind us, night after night, that while our lives might be messy, other people’s lives are much messier.
And now, to complement your love of late-night television, are a handful of great iPhone applications featuring your favorite shows. Kick up your feet, and check them out — you don’t even have to wait for the clock to strike 10 p.m. to enjoy.
For the political science junkies among us, I recommend starting with the Jon Stewart app (99 cents). It includes Jon Stewart tweets, Stewart video clips, references to Stewart in the media and more. The app is easy to navigate, and full of the smart, quirky entertainment that made the comedian a household name. Definitely a good substitute if you can’t catch the full show.
And where there is Stewart, there is that other man looking to restore sanity to the American public, Stephen Colbert. The Colbert Report’s The Word app ($1.99) had a very streamlined feel to it, taking users directly to the segment in the Colbert show where the political pundit uses some clever wordsmithing to poke fun a the ridiculous. Clips can be searched by word and year.
Hardcore Colbert fans might also want to take a look at the Colbert’s Mind app (99 cents), which is a glossary of terms the comedian commonly uses on his show.
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I can’t talk about late-night television without including David Letterman and The Late Show. His one-line zingers are available for your entertainment on the David Letterman Quotes app (99 cents). Scroll through with a tap of the finger, or a quick shake of your iPhone.
He might have hosted The Tonight Show for about a week, but Conan O’Brien’s iPhone apps have more staying power. I am a big fan of the appropriately named Conan O’Brien app (99 cents), because it includes lots of bloopers and lists that are totally appropriate for viewing on an iPhone. Further, the navigation is similar to that of the Jon Stewart app, and it’s easy to use.
If you’re looking to delve into the heart of Hollywood, I would direct you to Jimmy Kimmel, who tapes the popular Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Hollywood Boulevard. And the Kimmel Underground app ($4.99) will take you even closer to the action, with a smorgasbord of gossip, musical performances and comedic stunts.
The Late Night With Jimmy Fallon app (free) wins the prize for the most playful of the iPhone apps dedicated to hit late-night shows. It includes slide shows, such as the 15 cutest animal guests ever to appear on Jimmy Fallon’s show, but it also provides hints and teasers of upcoming guests.
And I would like to leave you with an app dedicated to the best late-night show of all, Saturday Night Live. The Saturday Night Trivia app (99 cents) will test even the most loyal Saturday Night Live fan’s knowledge of the show.
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