The 15 Best Props, Gimmicks and Recurring Gags in the History of Late Night

If a late night show is fortunate enough to go the distance, they’re gonna need to fill some time. And what better way than a solid sketch or recurring segment? The classic “monologue, guest, guest, musical or stand-up act” format is classic for a reason, but bits and recurring gags are what sets each show apart. Yes the talented and beautiful guests that come and go are quite entertaining, but we come back night after night for the host and his particular brand of funny.

The best recurring gags are the ones that bring out the overall vibe of the show. The Masturbating Bear would seem out of place on Letterman, and Leno was way too affable to have celebrities read mean tweets. We don’t have a lever that can play a clip, but we can pull the lever on “The 15 Best Props, Gimmicks and Recurring Gags in the History of Late Night.”