Bill Hicks' Network Television Debut | Letterman

The young comedian makes his first of many appearances with Dave.
(From "Late Night," air date: 12/5/84)
#billhicks #comedian #letterman
Subscribe to Letterman: bit.ly/3GeOIAg
Follow Letterman on Social:
Facebook: / davidletterman
Instagram: / letterman
Twitter: / letterman
Welcome to the Letterman KZbin Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. These highlights have been artisanly-produced, carefully-curated, and chosen completely at random by an old computer that used to pick numbers for the New York Lotto back in the 90’s.

[@corey6393]

I watched a lot of Letterman in the 80's ( I was 10 when he got this show), and this is where I was first introduced to the genius that is Bill Hicks. Oddly enough, it was around this same time I was introduced to Black Sabbath. My life was changed forever by both exposures.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

This is a special moment.

[@rogerc23]

Did you live in a cardboard box to that point or something ?

[@corey6393]

@@rogerc23 I was born in 1971.

[@rogerc23]

@@corey6393 no worries. I’m just wondering how this changed your life so profoundly?

[@ralphhilton-bc9yf]

So awesome, I love you

[@Goatchild90]

One of my favourite stand-up comics of all time. Rant in E-Minor changed my life.

[@DSPHistoricalSociety]

It is life-changing

[@eyemalien]

so good. see you down in Arizona Bay my friend!

[@DSPHistoricalSociety]

@@eyemalien ahhh....

[@Sisyphean1775]

The fact that he was just a few days shy of 23 here blows my damn mind. I've never met (nor was I!) a 22-year-old who looked, thought, spoke, or carried himself like that. What a massive loss.

[@DanielAdams-q3o]

I didn't even graduate college till I was 31.

[@James-ll3jb]

I was like that at 22. Alot of boomers were. This is how we talked to ourselves

[@powertothepeople4712]

This dude is Alex Jones

[@Plethora_of_Paucity]

@@powertothepeople4712😂 Yeah nah really, he’s actually Chevy Chase 🤣

[@bustercherry8734]

@@Plethora_of_Paucity He's alex 100%. If you could get your head out of your ass long enough, you would see that.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Outstanding. Bill had both famous and infamous moments with the show, and it’s so great seeing and celebrating all of them with the benefit of hindsight. The history of this clip is mind boggling.

[@dealerovski82]

23 years of age int this clip. amazing

[@eddyspecter]

Always always always giving love to Bill Hicks. Thank you Dave.

[@flowpoi5864]

Yea like when he didn't air the episode until Bill was dead.

[@josebrown5961]

@@flowpoi5864He apologized for that. He had Bill’s mother on when he aired the video. I think the network had some issues with his set when he did it.

[@flowpoi5864]

@@josebrown5961 yea, after substantial backslash to save face. Bill deserved better and was more talented than letterman could ever have hoped to have been my dude.

[@josebrown5961]

@@flowpoi5864Yea Dave screwed the pooch on that one. Of all the times to bow to the network. He wasn’t that guy normally.

[@charlesadams8279]

alex jones

[@deezhole]

One of my Favorite Bills of all time. I know his spirit is making the great beyond laugh. ❤️Love and dearly miss you Bill❤️

[@donmackie6086]

He was a genius. Modern day Lenny Bruce. Thanks for this gang!

[@denvergrantz2480]

Bill Hicks was my all-time favorite comedian, and Frank Zappa was my all-time favorite musician. Frank died of cancer in December 1993. Bill died of cancer in February 1994.

[@dinosaursr]

Damn cancer is killing left and right. Lost friends and dealt with it too.

[@DrLoverLover]

Stop having favourites

[@Blufolf3]

I have a feeling Bill Hicks is alive. Look at Bill Hicks and Alex Jones teeth. Look at their faces, they look so similar. And at one point he used a voice that was precisely what Alex Jones sounds like. On top of this, Alex Jones admitted he is Bill Hicks. I saw the video in a compilation of conspiracy theories but can't find the video itself

[@clashfan2875]

I saw him at the Comedy Workshop in Houston but it was 85 or 86 so a little later than this. He was not this clean live. Funny stuff and ahead of the curve for sure.

[@josebrown5961]

I did too! I first caught him at The Comics Annex on an open mic night. I was having a beer and this guy walks up to the bar and says something to the bartender and then says something to me about the house not being packed or something and we had a nice conversation until we were interrupted by the announcement of the next comic, “Ladies and gentlemen Bill Hicks!” He excused himself and went onstage and killed for 15 minutes! From that moment on I was a Bill Hicks fan.

[@drewlovelyhell4892]

"Sit down next to me so that I can not ask you any follow up questions."

[@ianhamilton2476]

But its Herbie Mann tomorrow

[@D.u.d.e.r]

One of the greatest comedians we've seen so far folks. RIP Bill, it's just a ride... ;)

[@BoatrekLive]

People tell me to smile, which makes me never want to smile.

[@r3b3lvegan89]

Also between Carlin and Hicks, I don’t care who disagrees, but Hicks took it to the absolute edge with his bits and story telling. Carlin was already GOAT status but I’ve never heard Carlin tell the entire advertising/marketing industry to flat out kill themselves and fantasizing killing the politicians and billionaires….George called them out but not like Bill.

[@DanielAdams-q3o]

Carlin is still better just because of Hicks death at a young age. But the best to both of them.

[@josebrown5961]

I just hated how Denis Leary kinda stole his jokes and made a weak version of hicks funny.

[@AllanAdamson]

thanks for posting this

[@josephlawson9950]

if bill hicks was today he said stop telling me im alex jones

[@benmaurer8055]

And talk about how Alex fianced the 1/6 fake news storming

[@MrZythFx]

Love how he had a cig going when they came back xD classic Bill

[@crispyjeb]

Love you Bill.

[@simonp37]

True artist we lost too soon.

[@sppspharmdude]

This man would later make one of the best revelations titled "it's just a ride". Hope you all are having a good day here on the old marble and making peace possible.

[@billhickswasright8076]

Always speaking truth.

[@Prodig4L]

I went to college for two years and left without any degree. That's why I'm a greeter in Walmart.

[@joaoyapur1247]

the God of Stand Up Comedy.-

[@odradekk]

That’s the America that I love

[@eyemalien]

Bill lookin svelt! so funny here. we miss you Bill!

[@SANITIZEDINC]

Legend.

[@jeffclement2468]

This must be the consolation appearance after he famously got bumped from the show at the last minute months(?) earlier.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

If you’re referring to the appearance he made that never aired originally, that happened years later on Late Show.

[@josebrown5961]

Yes Dave had his mom on to play his appearance that was cut.

[@MsHulstein]

Wish I saw that back in the days on tv in The Netherlands. It would have saved my puberty life. Now I had to figure it all out for myself. Wasn't all that bad btw 😎

[@phildirt3]

He was dark and people didn’t get it

[@r3b3lvegan89]

You spelled BRILLIANT wrong it’s ok tho

[@playdiscgolf1546]

He looks so small and fit here. This must be super early on

[@infowarriorone]

Bill Hicks was ahead by a century. I think Dave could see that too.

[@logan1867]

Dave literally censored Hick's

[@infowarriorone]

@@logan1867 The network did.

[@logan1867]

@@infowarriorone he literally took responsibility for the ban

[@dongiller]

@@logan1867 A mistake rectified in 2009.

[@infowarriorone]

@@logan1867 He had to, it was his show.

[@BloodandSushi]

when i was young it bothered me letterman didnt let him perform and now letterman has my respect for life

[@PaxilRose]

Carlin/Hicks 2024

[@richardgullick1867]

You can see why some conspiracy theorists think this is Alex Jones lol

[@bustercherry8734]

Yeah, because it is. Way too much proof for him not to be.

[@Fel1xF7W]

alex jones doesn't even look like bill. i'd wager that gabe newell is matt groening more than that​@@bustercherry8734

[@p0llenp0ny]

@@bustercherry8734 He looks nothing like him. At all.

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

Here’s the difference. Listen carefully now. Bill Hicks was smart. I’ll see myself out.

[@freew0rrld]

People are really stupid

[@Goatchild90]

R.I.P. Bill Hicks

[@DylanWeader]

Funny to see him not swear

[@hollywood423]

This is when we first met I took him to the exs party in New York

[@V888S]

❤

[@dannydorko7075]

I love Bill Hicks, he's one of my favourite stand ups but good lord he recycled a lot of his jokes!

[@nuncapasaran9374]

It's interesting to see the evolution of Bill to the ranting lunatic later in his career that we all know and love lol. It could also be that late night is more tame by nature, but I do think he grew into a more chaotic and righteous anger as time went on.

[@Stikibits]

Goatboy!

[@jeperstone]

Hicks was King of the Midwits

[@PikesvilleAl]

Alex Jones

[@playdiscgolf1546]

Ahead of his time by a mile

[@MrHorsepower-wd9ll]

A young Alex Jones

[@ZEN.WOLF.SPIRIT]

Pretty sure thats Alex Jones..

[@goldmasters5393]

At the beginning of Alex Jones new carrer, it was really easy for me to see hicks! Sam kinison another fake death. he was so funny. However he still lives on as Michael Keaton, billy idol, Elton John, because he is David Cassidy

[@MellowWind]

He seems rather angry.

[@MAGaBAMA_84]

So does Alex Jones! Lol

[@butternmayo]

it's alex jones

[@WiseandVegan]

The Connections (2021) [short documentary] 🔥

[@NosferKatu]

Bill Hicks is now Alex Jones. It's a conspiracy theory with lots of credibility.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Interesting take…

[@purebloodheretic4682]

🙄

[@ZAYA2227]

my man said credibility 😂😂😂😂😂😂 cnn level credibillity

[@PikesvilleAl]

The theory is true.

[@NosferKatu]

@@ZAYA2227 What "man"?

[@morrison1405]

This guy is always lying and just arrogant.

[@bustercherry8734]

Still is...

[@dunebillyofswanbeach4294]

He doesn’t like you either.

[@Allen.Christian]

Oh, back when he actually told jokes. Interesting.

[@OriginalGabriel]

Dude's material was cut heavily; this appearance was after he had been cut from appearing, at the last second, multiple times; Dave even had his mother on the show after his death to apologize.

[@corey6393]

@@OriginalGabriel That happened much later in Bill's career. He was on this show many times over the next decade or so after this appearance.

[@glenndouglas8822]

@@OriginalGabriel This was his first appearance ya tool 🤣😂

[@tvtoms]

​@@glenndouglas8822 This, his first appearance, was only AFTER he'd been cut, multiple times.

[@glenndouglas8822]

@@tvtoms No, that's incorrect. He was only told not to include wheelchair jokes which every comic on letterman had to adhere to at the time. He was NOT censored many a time during this appearance. Ok.

[@DrLoverLover]

Lame act.

[@Sundae_Times]

So go back to your Chuckle Brothers box set

[@dunebillyofswanbeach4294]

Put on another Chevy Chase movie.

[@MikeSpuches]

hilarious and profound and this was from the 80s. he was such a legend