Andy Kaufman on Letterman, January 7, 1983

[@leokimvideo]

With Andy it was difficult to understand where the jokes start and stop. This is the absolute magic of his style.

[@khalgarrison]

I have watched every Andy Kaufman thing I can find, and many of them numerous times. It never gets old. It all still keeps me absolutely spellbound. What a tragedy that the world lost Andy so abruptly. May God rest his soul.

[@franklee2683]

Dude...I'm in the same boat. It's awesome.

[@swampape201]

the short speech he gave his parents is something many of us didnt get to do and is lovingly shared with us all, thanks Andy.

[@alin81-82]

This is the sweet side of his performances. This reminded me of when he took his carnegie hall audience on buses to go out for milk & cookies. He was one of a kind. R.I.P.

[@the98thcent]

Oh, Andy. There is something so profoundly sweet and Buddhist about this. If he knew he was dying it makes it even more beautiful. There really hasn't been anything like this since. Part of me wishes we had ten more Andy Kaufmans and another part of me knows that the impact would never be the same. God bless xx

[@maxaronow712]

I sure could use a hug from Andy Kaufman. On a spiritual level.

[@joegrennon]

physical for me!!!

[@ThePloppy]

I agree. He had a huge heart.

[@homelessactualcurtkobain8949]

/hug

[@77-ty7gb]

Odd

[@jenniemalloy7402]

Max Aronow Correct. Thanks

[@afvet5075]

I really miss those days. I would love a hug from Andy and miss him. God rest your soul.

[@Robert-fv3vn]

I'm not dead

[@donfawcett8460]

The brilliant thing is that he is teaching a deep truth here, emotive, touching on the loneliness and deepest needs of the human being, while he himself is a lonely character, but placing the audience in some sense in a double illusion, thinking he is trolling them, which he is, but at the same time touching the heart.

[@MrKmanthie]

Good insight. It just works on so many levels!!

[@sibaroochi]

I feel like we're overanalyzing this

[@cfwintner1]

Beautifully stated. I agree totally.

[@KeithCarey33]

Don Fawcett Grape comment. Many of us are simpler to Andy. Check out the documentary on Man on the Moon. Incredible.

[@jewfinigan863]

You put into words what I felt but couldn't express

[@TurboGent]

This is hilarious. It really speaks to the genius of Andy Kaufman. He really had everybody trained to expect something outlandish, and through the whole bit, we are still expecting it to get awkward, uncomfortable, or just plain insane at any moment. He tries to come off sounding so sincere and innocent, while at the same time I’m sitting here thinking “when is the other shoe going to drop? When is he going to do something crazy? Are those actors or really his parents?“ It’s like another commenter said, we are trying to figure him out the whole time, which is Andy Kaufman‘s genius. He always kept us guessing. I sincerely think he loved the fact that we couldn’t take him seriously during this bit.

[@Shawn90000]

Tears came to my eyes, always love your mom and dad, Andy Kaufman is a great guy.

[@disgruntledpedant2755]

Sometimes, mom and dad are not so nice

[@Andrew-se6ee]

I cried too.

[@billygowhoop]

There is no one else who could tiptoe on that line between genius and totally unwatchable better than Andy.

[@Richard-zc1cj]

It's totally unwatchable, I'll find something else

[@pronemanoldbutyoung5548]

@@Richard-zc1cj Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

[@arribaficationwineho32]

@@Richard-zc1cj I hated when he started the wrestling and went gonzo on the audience but before that, genius.

[@werewolflover8636]

@@arribaficationwineho32 Andy loved wrestling and said to multiple individuals before his death that the wrestling stunts was his crowning achievement in life. He also said if he could he’d given up on Hollywood and just been a full time wrestler. Any fan of Andy should understand just how important being in those wrestling matches was for him. It was his dream and fortunately he was was able to live it.

[@arribaficationwineho32]

@@werewolflover8636 nice he lived his dream but that was just not interesting nor amusing.

[@mevdinc]

What an amazingly unique man Andy was. This has to be one of the most original TV segments ever. RIP Man On The Moon.

[@adamgardiner5869]

I love how he comes across as a kind of idiot savant / earnest fool. His style of comedy was just so gosh darn stratospheric that sometimes u couldn't see it at first. What a man.

[@jenniemalloy7402]

Adam Gardiner Correct.

[@garywilson3042]

Adam Gardiner I love that word ‘stratospheric’ great description of his oddball comedy style!

[@LisaJOxo]

Sword swallower 😂

[@rogerstalder7184]

Entertainment from another Star ;)

[@dew12u]

" just so gosh darn stratospheric"

[@bobbobby7493]

Tell you the truth, i'm 38 now in 2021, I'm a little bit drunk right now, and my natural guard is a little bit down, and I have to say, if all people, ever, were as genuine as Andy Kaufman was, we'd have much less trouble around the world. He was a great human being, a great entertainer, and yet his only flaw is that he will be forever misunderstood by close-minded, and routine-minded, people. Unfortunately, that Is simply impossible to change. I'm thankful people like him have been around, and others like him will yet still exist around the world and will hopefully bring balance and understanding to those that need it. I was but a kid when he passed away, yet I miss him terribly. I hope you, on KZbin, agree with the sentiment, and that you miss him and other people like him too. Let's try and have more Andys, and maybe more Robin Williams's, and others, for our, and for our future generations', sanity and entertainment 👍

[@meduzoidnonastroenniy]

Great words, man, i love ya!

[@BustyBeaver]

Great words man. I agree

[@gregsilsby6884]

Well said man.

[@marcodiluzio5370]

Go on drinking...

[@poiewhfopiewhf]

Were as GENUINE as Andy? The man who was perpetually in a bit and virtually no footage of him out of character even exists? 😆

[@PlanetRockJesus]

Everything about Andy's public life was a performance. This video is priceless. I was in tears.

[@jen3800]

thanks for posting this, it's lovely. Andy undermining corp media with good old fashioned hugs!

[@fandude7]

A true comic genius. Andy saw everything around him as amazing. Props to Letterman for having him on.

[@zacharyjohnson6453]

If I were to ever receive the hug from Andy Kaufman I probably would have cried in his arms because of how generous he is and how he can make you feel special when you're in a world of pain and he knows how to take that pain away and give you a little bit of happiness even if it's just for a short while it's still worth it but then at the same time that happiness continues because the love and humor never dies

[@williamkoscielniak820]

Andy Kaufman confounds me. How can someone who appears so sweet and gentle also be so good at trolling and love it so much? Most people who are sensitive feel guilty or ashamed if they troll or play with peoples' emotions in the way Andy did, and most "trolls" are tinted with some degree of malice. But I don't sense any malice in Andy Kaufman. He doesn't come off as cold at all, but he clearly LOVE awkwardness, uncomfortableness, and pranks of all kinds. What a strange man.

[@evhvariac2]

VERY well stated

[@danielmoore62]

His sweetness was also his trolling.

[@arribaficationwineho32]

Agree. He was never a troll. He was a comic.

[@fraa888grindr6]

Andy Kaufman was a performer and he understood the psychological elements behind people being entertained. Andy's chief goal was to evoke emotion and thought from his audience. One such ingredient of entertainment is surprise. Andy never disappointed in this regard. He made wonderful memories for so many people who understood the punchline.

[@mplsmark222]

Must admit I did not understand much of what Andy did. The whole cringe humor thing did not work for me. However, taking is life’s work as a whole, he really was a unique entertainer, a true artist. He left us way too soon.

[@chirimantecman]

Oh man, this is just another level of funny...so subtle, love it.

[@HughGotIt]

After watching these Letterman stints one after another, I've noticed Andy always comes in a little late after being announced. Just when you think he won't come out, he appears! Kaufman acts were always finely detailed. I wish I was in the audience and got a hug from Andy!

[@anarchycastro]

That was an act? He needs to work on his act a little more.

[@zachjohnson637]

You need to work on understanding the act a little more.

[@LetsGoFlyers2011]

Yeah, I noticed that. He likes to make uncomfortable pauses. He does that when the host tries to shake his hand too. He always takes a few extra bows and leaves the host hangin for a few extra moments.

[@lizardman7364]

@@anarchycastro you lost or something, stretchy?

[@Joshualbm]

Andy was a genuinely sweet and kind person who was also one of the most original and daring performers ever. He often said that one of his main intentions was to see just how far he could push something. And he got a lot of criticism for what was, ultimately, some of the bravest comedy ever. He paved the way for many to come.

[@duganfry3]

Letterman was getting irritated at the end because of Kaufman's shenanigans which worked perfectly since Dave was losing control. I loved it.

[@pollard068]

the magic of television.

[@ApartmentKing66]

That's one thing Dave and Johnny had in common. They both liked to be (if not needed) in control. That's why Johnny shined when on TV and not in person. He was in control when on TV, but not when in the presence of people.

[@chazeverett]

@@ApartmentKing66 letterman actually liked having andy on the show because hed never know what andy would do was the unpredictability is what he liked about it

[@bonek350]

@@chazeverett I don't think Dave is the control freak that they think he is. I think that he does indeed get irritated but doesn't mind it. At the same time, it's his show so he has to reel it in at times.

[@_robo]

It's part of the act, Letterman is in on all of these acts. He's not genuinely pissed, he's playing the antagonist to elevate Kaufman's performance. It's what makes a good host. Every modern talkshow host does this. But these things are choreographed.

[@brutonano9521]

Now that I'm in my 50's, I still can't tell when the joke/performance stops and ends. This guy had a genius view about the world. I still find him very entertaining.

[@Savoia_S.21_00]

What I absolutely love about Kaufman, even more than his reality blurring which is truly impressive that he can even pull it off at all is the undercurrent of subversion his comedy always has. He was a pure comedian. I'm 100% sure he would have died happily with a very regular income just to make an even grander joke. He was truly a genius far ahead of his time. He understood the medium so well.

[@eltatoyo9211]

Andy always had everyone on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Fun guy, crazy guy, and never boring.

[@lindarogow5338]

That andy could highlight the love and beauty of everyday average folks. Not witty or gorgeous or rich and famous. Just his folks. Most of us don't shine on tv. But andy showed the light shining within us all. Dead age 36 of lung cancer. His light expired. Some flame preserved on y tube.

[@aliciaanne]

Letterman had to really work that night, LOL! Like a 3-ring circus. Love it!

[@bdm5858]

...Andy Kaufman: A Truly Genuine Genius!!!...Comedy was so Simple, and Clean, coming from the mind of Kaufman!!!...Never Again!!!...RIP, Andy!!!...

[@ronglyn]

Its hard to believe that 16 months after this Andy passed away....... RIP

[@greatatwatido]

outlived by both his parents and his grandmother..... so sad that he died so young! RIP Andy you beautiful soul ❤️

[@evilinnnn]

Thank you so much for uploading this! Andy is so unique and charming. I wish he was still alive.

[@NOTO-_-]

This is an awesome find! I'm a big Kaufman fan, he's one of the greats. Thanks for the upload!

[@elvicare35]

It's awesome to find unseen "for years" footage on your old tapes!!!!!!!!!!

[@Bluesbabesrv]

The pride and look of joy on Andy’s face when he was listening to his parents.

[@disgruntledpedant2755]

Its the character andy, not real andy

[@Cougelly1999]

The awww from the audience when Dave said goodbye to Andy's parents, they did not want it to end.

[@ternak001]

This is brilliant! Thank you Andy Kaufman!

[@elvicare35]

Life is but a dream.........what a wonderful video, thank-you Andy!!!!!

[@dskywalker3397]

I think there were elements of his ‘act’ that were authentic. The lines were blurred. He was really just being himself.

[@kostyapolykova9879]

He saw there was nothing more humorous than worthwhile television!

[@kentjg32]

Thank you Don, I thought I had seen every letterman appearance, so it was so exciting to see this one. This was great, my favourite part was when Andy hugged Dave, that was really nice to see.

[@dongiller]

+Kent Galloway Thanks, Kent!

[@jeetendrakhushlani6344]

I find him so adorable and innocent and showing his real self. Just that people find him funny in such situations. A sweet nice smile 🥰🥰. Can't get enough of you mate. You really touched many lives and even after years you continue doing so. Must be entertaining people up there.❤️😘😘

[@LeahElisheva]

I’m grateful for these videos. Thank you so much for posting ❤

[@zoevee8192]

Loved this, hearing that accent from grandma ❤ my mum had a super thick long Island accent. 😢

[@WesCoastPiano]

This is television magic. Actually makes me cry knowing he would be dead in year.

[@ahmedelsheikh1987]

God bless your soul Andy

[@cbond1c113]

His parents are actually very sweet, and his Mom is especially adorable. I know that part of this is humorous, and then a significant part of it is absolutely real. Maybe this presages his death (as another commenter suggested), but it would be nice if we were all given the opportunity to have this type of closer with ones loved ones and audience. It actually brought tears to my eyes a bit for a moment

[@luos3854]

This is amazing I can’t describe the joy I have watching these old Andy Kaufman videos but it’s surreal. It’s sad knowing his life ended shortly after this.

[@tygersflowerz]

Yes! I've been waiting for this to appear on KZbin for years. Thanks for posting!

[@dongiller]

+tygersflowerz My pleasure. Thank Robert Morton for encouraging me to upload it last summer.

[@joshjuanfifarek7382]

This is absolutely fantastic! He really loved his grandmother. Everyone should get the album Andy and Grandmother Sing. The vinyl unfortunately is out of print. But the cd is still available.

[@theblairbitch1180]

He brings me so much joy. What a blessing.

[@dullarddom]

Thank you so much for posting this. I'd been hoping to see it rather than just read descriptions of it for years. Was sweeter than I had dared dream.

[@shanekrongforpm]

Andy genius was that he always kept you guessing. He was the master of creating false truth with a touch of improvised anarchy. He behaved so gentle and innocent, endeared himself to each audience member and then pulled the rug from under them. Pure magic. Always on the edge, always taking things to the extreme.

[@norbertomoran4575]

The bonds that connect people are the bonds that make them. Such a sweet family.

[@williamthomas1]

You can tell these are his parents because he resembles them plus no one can act this out. They are geniune in all their responses and answers and the conversation is real. I remember this when it aired.

[@beakt]

Andy's dad had three Purple Heart medals from World War II.

[@77-ty7gb]

A 4th for raising Andy.

[@buildingwithtrees2258]

My grandfather told me; They had a manual for everything except parenting. He was also a decorated WW2 veteran. This was in regards to my broken family, and his way of saying sorry.

[@deealfaro-baeza8314]

What a gangster

[@rupertstiltskin8778]

My dad got 2 Victoria crosses from the same war.My granddad got 3 iron crosses.They were proper medals.My family fought on both sides,a bit like the bankers that made money off all the working classes killing eachother for the bankers.The year now is 2019,and still nothing has changed.Now the Russians and Chinese are the ones our kids have to die fighting against.

[@robertsmith6068]

@@rupertstiltskin8778 no kidding. war with china most likely coming up.

[@dannyconnell4533]

Andy was one of my all time favorites

[@marcoortiz8046]

Low budget, New Yorkers, integrity, authentic, fantastic time for television.

[@silverladderAZ]

That's a great summary. That era was nearly the pinnacle of a lot of entertainment.

[@marcoortiz8046]

@@silverladderAZ My 80 plus year old parents and i LOVE watching Barney Miller re-runs everyday.

[@silverladderAZ]

@marcoortiz8046 Our local independent station (or at least they WERE independent back then) KPHO TV5 ran Barney Miller episodes every weeknight at 11. My dad recorded every single episode off the TV on a VCR and made sure to pause during the commercials (which would actually be some of the most interesting parts now). We had tapes upon tapes of that show and I'll forever associate it with my dad. Barney Miller ran right before Taxi and right after M.A.S.H. on that channel.

[@marcoortiz8046]

@@silverladderAZ GREAT story, thanks! Well bless your Dad. Born in 1968, starting at the age of say 7 I watched Barney Miller, Taxi, Soap, Sanford and Son, All in The Family, Maude (even then got tingles when her daughter Carol was on an episode lol), Good Times, even later, Benny Hill. My folks loved me, saw nothing wrong with it, and I came out fine, I thinks :)

[@zenmasterdan902]

Oh so this was his actual parents, that's very sweet. All the way through I couldn't tell if they were actors of not because I couldn't see a resemblance but it's nice to know it's the real thing and how sweet and lovely hey to be hugging his mum and dad and telling them that he loves them.

[@chopin65]

Did you see how Paul was so cool about it? Paul is full of those hugs.

[@katinkiplinkyplonk4933]

Andy didn't want to rebel against his elders, as was the want of his generation, he wanted to impress them. After all, he was, and we are the impression of our parents. Truly one of the greatest American entertainers that ever lived, and died.

[@Robb3348]

as was the *wont of his elders (better usage, or spelling, depending on if you know that there is a word "wont" distinct from "want")

[@mirellalastar]

That's some supportive parents right there. And Dave was so cool with Andy, he lets him do whatever he wants.

[@soldtobediers]

3:47 Most commonly men hug each other head to right shoulder. But Kaufman really does take this a loving-ful step further, by placing the heart to the heart. Sometimes strange actors can have us distance our common manner-fuls into meaning manner-fuls. RIP Andy & resurrect in the most mannerful meaningful place.

[@Caveman-ye1dv]

I know it has already been said. .. Andy was a genius. pure genius .. I love watching him... his facial expressions...he is acting like a small loving child here.. so funny..

[@jaimhaas5170]

What exactly makes him genius?

[@joebittman5039]

jaim haas .....the mole on the left side of his face working in communion with the normal side of his face

[@danielscissorhands]

That's not acting. That was Andy.

[@zenmasterdan902]

@@jaimhaas5170 You can either see it or you can't. You fall into the can't category

[@arribaficationwineho32]

@@jaimhaas5170 his comedy

[@britturk123]

Adoreable bit of old TV here, his parents were truly beautiful people his Gran too. May they all rest in eternal peace.

[@bernios3446]

Wow, authentic and staged at the same time, true and made up, sad and lovely, this is not comedy, it is performance at a very high level. I notice that while watching all this somehow strange stuff it is much more emotional than usual comedy...

[@jeebuz6627]

Bernhard Ess believe this or not most of this was not staged. That is why letterman was getting so annoyed. But they had to play it cool on tv

[@ronc2866]

He was a genius totally one of a kind.

[@oldiesfreek]

Somehow I knew his mom was going to say "I love his Elvis..." :D

[@slimpeabody7012]

Watching Andy Kaufman I always feel joy and sadness.

[@markcrew3696]

2022 and this is just absolutely hilarious I love these kind of things. rest in peace Andy we miss you even today.

[@cinnamon2169]

So awesome for those who were at this show.. got a hug from Andy

[@natsix4857]

Andy really loves everybody. And everybody in the show is involved somehow, the audience gains a visibility that they always deserve...

[@FractalityX]

The brilliance of Andy is that you’re all here talking about it still ;)

[@richardfallenracejones]

Those audience members had no idea how special this was. Watching in 2021.

[@jiovanna4136]

They are all now together again. This is adorable, he loves his parents and they really loved him...what a moment.

[@yourkiwimate]

wonderful funny man

[@eins2001]

When I get to heaven I am hugging Andy

[@jiveassturkey8849]

Avalon Hike Jesus said they are going to Heaven. It’s in the Gospels. Christ died so we may be forgiven for sins.

[@garyswann3292]

Shit dude… Just go to New Mexico that’s where Andy is actually hiding

[@AmbientShrub]

Must feel awesome to get a random hug from Andy Kaufman. That sure is a legendary story to tell people.

[@55k3v1n]

It's like it's all real, yet he is still character...ALWAYS in character

[@think2086]

A human mind is made of multiple people, according to the latest neuropsychology. I think Andy knew about this secret of human nature and rather than repress it, like most of us have, he fully embraced it. He was never really acting that much differently than his actual inner selves, This is why he seemed so natural to his parents, for instance. I think he just channeled loving little boy Andy, for instance, and they were used to it. And I think this is why Andy upset so many people who didn't get the humor. His acts were just a little too real, because in essence, they were. Andy was simply not inhibiting or censoring his social inappropriateness through the filter of the socially constructed self, but rather allowing his real inner selfs to be unleashed. Of course, he thought about the details. But I think mostly, he practiced scenarios in his mind in his spare time, to build up a mental database of human awkwardness, which allowed him to quickly and fluently improv on the spot, channeling his real selves. Brilliant.

[@jss2142]

@@think2086 I totally agree!

[@williamkoscielniak820]

I wonder if Andy Kaufman himself even knew precisely what was "acting" and what was "himself". We all put on an act all of the time in various social situations and even when we are alone at times. He blurred the line between art and reality and so I wonder how much the line was blurred in his own soul.

[@danielscissorhands]

Not really. He appeared as himself in multiple interviews.

[@MoonlightRaven_]

its no wonder he became enamored with wrestling, always 'working', always.

[@timboslice1979]

Andy, we love you too! Rest in Peace my friend.

[@econhelp583]

A brilliant art-house performance on big-time commercial television. It reminded me of being in a theatre watching Shakespeare. The performance felt long, but in the end very satisfying.

[@spirit-walkerwaters4521]

This was awesome and unbelievable as far as EVERYTHING.. .LOL

[@Sinas_eda]

RIP Andy it is so sad that he passed away while he was so young

[@proffesordick4589]

Pure Genius!!! He was truly full of love!! God Bless Him!!!

[@hernantranquillo9160]

This man was so so sooooo ahead of his time... Christ, what a talent. Rest easy Andy.-

[@GUITARTIME2024]

Even in 83, they referred to "the 60s" like it was long ago. It ended only 13 yrs earlier. Amazing.

[@jamespatterson1034]

One never knew what character would appear. He was so different. An absolute genius. He left us to soon.

[@greenberrywoods]

Andy just completely controls the show. A master.

[@umac76]

Letterman was so uptight socially. That was part of his charm. When Andy approached him to hug him Letterman stood up and actually went to button his jacket. And then that raised eyebrow of his when Kaufman started hugging members of the crew, as if to say, "This is so weird." Part of this was him just going for laughs, but it was also the repressed Midwesterner in him always pointing out his view of his guests' foibles to us with his looks into the camera.

[@umac76]

@Avalon Hike I didn't knock Dave. I like Dave. He gave tremendous support to another artist I really loved, Warren Zevon.

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

i think i saw Andy Kaufman really smile with his parents goading comment.

[@pmcm-ih1ep]

This guy could be so obscure in his humour... I'm sure he loved the irony of the fact that so many people believed that wrestling was real...there was always that element in his acts but what exactly was real and what wasn't real was usually hard to tell ...a unique talent.

[@Mod_In_France]

This is the best bit of televsion ever !

[@leannsfearcocktail9420]

I love you and am hugging you right now Andy!!! You're a beautiful and talented comedian!!! I'll see you in heaven if I make the list, ya, ya, ya, ya.

[@operasinger2126]

Amazing Andy had a sense of innocence to go along with his over the top comedy.

[@JoshuaWaltz-fj4rg]

Andy Kaufman is a once in a lifetime performance artist. RIP Andy. We miss you.

[@scke3717]

"Try anything and see where it goes" comedy; love it.

[@lisalynnn]

"What do you want me to do?" Is the same reaction I have when someone tries to hug me. I usually just go boneless

[@7beers]

I like boneless chicken.

[@norbertomoran4575]

He truly was something special. His parents were so cute.

[@RaymondPeckIII]

Andy's reaction to his parents at 11:28 is absolutely precious. My God...

[@jjjuhg]

He died the following year, in May. Cancer. I love the tv show "Taxi" - all actors and the writing was brilliant.

[@90sdbest62]

im not even born when this was shown. but i find this funny. I am fascinated by Andy.

[@eLiFILMSinc]

Moving that couch next to the desk was the first step of revolutionizing the look of late night. As far as I know at least

[@sportsamania]

This dudes heart is kinda amazing rn he’s an angel rn his grandma is so cute wow

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

That’s his Mom.

[@nathanbellamy3308]

He bought such simple wholesome innocence to a very sad dark and dirty time.

[@alanw505]

As of this taping Andy had 1 1/2 years to live. So sad.

[@0okamino]

Well, it's nice to know he got a lot of extra hugging done before that time was up. It can make life better even if doesn't always make it longer.

[@SuperHeliboy]

He was a health nut and at this time was probably already eaten up with cancer.

[@mirellalastar]

That's probably why he had to hug everybody and tell them he loved them.

[@eins2001]

@@mirellalastar Be didn't have to. He wanted to.

[@FreeTheTrolls]

😢