Late Night with David Letterman (1982–1993)

David Letterman hosted this popular late-night comedy/talk-show. Often, Dave would go on location or to the phone lines to play pranks. Some famous features of the show include the "Top Ten... See full summary »

Stars:

David Letterman, Paul Shaffer, Jerry Seinfeld

Won 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 4 wins & 37 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
David Letterman	...	Himself - Host (322 episodes, 1982-1993)

Storyline

David Letterman hosted this popular late-night comedy/talk-show. Often, Dave would go on location or to the phone lines to play pranks. Some famous features of the show include the "Top Ten" lists and "Stupid Pet Tricks" (complete with slow-mo). Fans of the show will also remember Dave's use of unusual camera placements (Sky-Cam, Guest-Cam, etc.) and Dave's supporting cast (Paul Shaffer, Chris Elliott, Larry Bud Melman). Many famous guests and bands appeared on the show.

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Plot Keywords:

guest | late night | joke | actor playing himself | interview | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Music | Talk-Show

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 February 1982 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carson Productions, NBC Productions, Worldwide Pants

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At least three people called David Letterman "an asshole" on this show. Cher was the first: Late Night with David Letterman: Episode dated 22 May 1986. Shirley MacLaine was the second: Late Night with David Letterman: Episode dated 4 October 1988. Calvert DeForest, aka Larry 'Bud' Melman, was the third in August 1989.

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Quotes

Himself - Host: [speaking via megaphone] I'm not wearing pants!

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Connections

Referenced in How It Began (2004)

User Reviews

Best talk show ever,...for the first seasons only

I will freely admit that this show owed a lot of its silliness to its predecessors--especially Steve Allen's TONIGHT SHOW--who was the first to do many of the things Letterman later did (such as the jello vat). But, despite this, it was a relatively fresh and very funny show---complete with lots of funny things above and beyond the celebrity interviews. Who can forget "Monkey Cam"--a chimp on roller skates zipping around the skit on ramps? Or Chris Elliot's "MAN UNDER THE STAIRS" or "THE FUGITIVE GUY"? Or Dave walking around the city and meeting "Mr. Eggroll" and his wife "Mrs. Eggroll" and then stopping for PIZZADONUTS?! Or the wonderful Christmas presents created by his staff--I especially loved the "rabid dog shave cream dispenser" and the "Joe Theisman pencil sharpener"--complete with his broken leg as the crank! But, after a while, he just looked pretty grumpy and did self-parody. It was like he was "phoning in the episodes" and the banter between him and the horribly unfunny Paul Shaffer was just becoming tedious. And for me, as Letterman's interest waned, so did mine. Stick to the first few seasons.