title: 1971–72 United States network television schedule (late night)
text: # 1971–72 United States network television schedule (late night)
  
  These are the late night schedules on all three networks for each calendar season beginning September 1971. All times are Eastern/Pacific.
  
  Talk/Variety shows are highlighted in yellow, Local News & Programs are highlighted in white.
  
  ## Monday-Friday
  
  | - | - | 11:00 PM | 11:30 PM | 12:00 AM | 12:30 AM | 1:00 AM | 1:30 AM | 2:00 AM | 2:30 AM | 3:00 AM | 3:30 AM | 4:00 AM | 4:30 AM | 5:00 AM | 5:30 AM |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | ABC | ABC | Local programming | The Dick Cavett Show | The Dick Cavett Show | The Dick Cavett Show | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off |
  | CBS | Fall | local programming | The Merv Griffin Show | The Merv Griffin Show | The Merv Griffin Show | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off |
  | CBS | February | local programming | The CBS Late Movie (from 2/14) | The CBS Late Movie (from 2/14) | The CBS Late Movie (from 2/14) | The CBS Late Movie (from 2/14) | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off | Local programming or sign-off |
  | NBC | NBC | local programming | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off |
  
  ## Saturday/Sunday
  
  | - | 11:00 PM | 11:30 PM | 12:00 AM | 12:30 AM | 1:00 AM | 1:30 AM | 2:00 AM | 2:30 AM | 3:00 AM | 3:30 AM | 4:00 AM | 4:30 AM | 5:00 AM | 5:30 AM |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | NBC | local programming | The Weekend Tonight Show | The Weekend Tonight Show | The Weekend Tonight Show | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off | local programming or sign-off |
  