5. David Letterman vs. Jay Leno
The infamous Late Night Wars between David Letterman and Jay Leno began in 1992 when Jay was controversially named Johnny Carson’s successor on The Tonight Show, a role that many believed Letterman deserved. The rivalry between the two comedians intensified as both battled for ratings, making the late-night scene a cutthroat arena.
Despite years of competition, Jay later acknowledged the mutual respect they had for each other, but it was clear the rivalry had shaped their careers for decades.