Calvert DeForest Live Remotes Collection on Letterman, 1983-96

1. November 16, 1983. Port Authority.
The first and most well-known of Calvert's live remotes.
Merrill Markoe: "Jeff Martin and I went with [Calvert] to the bus depot when he was greeting out-of-town visitors." (Salon, May 15, 2015)
Jeff Martin: "Yes, I remember the Port Authority well. I had been with the show for awhile by then. Had absolutely no idea that Dave was in hysterics back in the studio." (Facebook chat, 11/29/16)
2. January 11, 1984. Empire State Building.
3. February 4, 1984. Essex House Hotel (2nd anniversary)
4. March 21, 1984. Times Square. (Spring)
5. April 25, 1984. ATM.
6. February 13, 1985. Staten Island Ferry Terminal.
7. February 27, 1985. Helicopter.*
8. February 12, 1986. Outside Soviet Mission.*
9. July 14, 1992. Democratic National Convention.
10. August 18, 1992. Republican National Convention.
11. January 20, 1993. Inauguration via Satellite.
12. October 12, 1993. Bank Clock, 1
13 August 12, 1994. Woodstock. (updates)
14. March 15, 1995. Bank Clock, 2.
15. October 23, 1996. World Series, 1.
16. October 24, 1996. World Series, 2.
* Previously uploaded.

[@michaelf4203]

Pure gold, I stayed up as a kid to watch these similar train wrecks, his shows were like no other and then you had Paul and the band

[@anthonygordon9483]

Lettermen pretty much turned his entire staff into being part of the entertainment. Conan, Jimmy Kimmel, pretty much took all of Lettermen's tricks.

[@sultanofswat9382]

I stayed up in high school weekdays to watch Carson then Letterman

[@BoycottChinaa]

Throwing stuff off the roof pulled me in as a kid, always a fan

[@marmaly]

​@@anthonygordon9483and Letterman took most of his from Steve Allen. So it all worked out.

[@MichelleUS66]

Calvert was so endearing! He really seemed like a genuinely sweet person.

[@andyrose5616]

I love the way Hal would hang on to the shot of Calvert's maniacal laughter just long enough to capture the completely blank expression that would inevitably follow.

[@BixbyConsequence]

Haha, it was like he was thinking "They gave me these lines and I have no idea why..."

[@willarity6927]

I met Mr Melman on a train to Boston, and he autographed my copy of The Living Sea, by Jacques Cousteau. Greatest moment of my life up to that point and perhaps beyond.

[@skizzytheerealest]

That is hilarious

[@Rs-xw4bj]

Grizzy Bear if you live to be 102 you will never do anything as cool as meeting Calvert

[@rjp801]

I am very sorry... I hope things will get better for you. Good luck...

[@tomcopeland288]

sctv

[@illiamdeebe7579]

God I remember being a kid and seeing this era of Late Night.. I felt like I was in on a secret club. There was a few of us on the school bus that would quote shows the next morning. There will never be another show with the rambling nature, grimy New York atmosphere and irreverent attitude. Thanks for this collection!

[@dm0065]

yup. I remember staying up after bedtime and sneaking down to turn on the TV and watching Dave on low volume. He was doing something wonderful, anybody could tell. You didnt have to be old enough to actually understand it.

[@doctorjingles]

You were kind of in a secret club. Very sophisticated for its time really.

[@qthelost]

It sure did feel like a secret club. I remember how cool it was when you met someone and found out that they watched Late Night and were in the club too.

[@patrickwcowley]

That's a really wonderful tribute and description!! Thank you very much for sharing this with us!! My Uncle Bob, who introduced me to rock n' rock, LOVED early David Letterman, and had recorded so many episodes. When we arrived in the afternoon one Thanksgiving, I was really surprised to see Uncle Bob, watching a younger David Letterman on VHS and just loving every second of it all while being in his own little world.

[@JJJJJVVVVVLLLLL]

Yeah. We had the original SNL in elementary school… we loved it but half the jokes kinda went past us. Then Letterman got his show when we were in jr high and it was exactly right.

[@ernestkinas5973]

I remember staying up late in high school to watch this. The first time I saw Larry "Bud" Melman I almost pissed myself I was laughing so hard. Missed a lot of consecutive home room attendances but it was well worth it.

[@stephengiese7549]

I have never laughed so hard at a remote broadcast! Larry is very cute and funny without working too hard. Great offbeat entertainment! Thanks utube.

[@Scott__C]

Calvert was so hilarious on the show. When the work day is a bummer, I watch something on here to laugh uproariously. Thanks so much.

[@cattathat]

R.I.P Calvert DeForest

[@imaguandaloops]

Incredible work Don Giller. Thank you for all of your effort!

[@dongiller]

Thanks!

[@mrchopsticks3]

Late Night was so great, especially in the early years. It was like watching a cable access show that somehow got on network tv. It was so unpolished and seemed like it was completely unplanned, which I think it was on some levels.

[@Music73777]

I almost forgot about Larry "Bud" Melman. This is taking me back to staying up and watching early Letterman when I was about 13.

[@DaDitka]

I'll say this- if I had received a hot towel from Larry "Bud" Melman, I would have had that framed as a souvenir.

[@yohei72]

It's kind of amazing that Calvert never got one iota better at his delivery over many years of this. Thank goodness!

[@abe_froman8360]

I watched that Port Authority remote when it first aired. Still the funniest thing I've ever seen.

[@joker3092]

I loved when he asked that woman holding the baby if she had any questions about New York.She was from there and said "we know about it" lol!

[@randylevy]

Sweet! Port Authority is just so strangely awkward that it's spectacularly funny. I remember watching it and wondering how this is even on TV?

[@alexcasas7572]

How is it possible that Calvert DeForest was on TV?

[@jgarofalo8813]

Nothing will ever top Letterman in the 80s

[@1AstralKing]

It’s amazing how bad he got in the 2000s and especially in his last few years.

[@lordofthemound3890]

If Calvert DeForest was just a regular guy who played this character on purpose, he would be the greatest comedian of all time.

[@LeeKav]

"Go ahead Calvert, ask him some questions." "Yes I do." He had an amazing ability to adjust when Dave strayed from the script -_-

[@JusticeForTheDead]

Comedy Gold... love Calvert DeForest aka Larry Bud Melman!!!!!!!!!

[@joemajewski7710]

Calvert deforest what a gem 💎 . I just wish he was in more comedy movies .

[@sultanofswat9382]

It’s still funny decades later

[@_PrimetimePranks]

Thank you for this collection!!!!

[@sayanchatterjee1510]

I was waiting for this compilation

[@cattathat]

Larry Bud Melman in Port Authority is gold. ❤

[@leonardstilwell1894]

No one could pontificate on the vicissitudes and existential angst of big city life, and the ennui they leave in their wake, quite like Larry.

[@SIKE01]

Calvert DeForest aka Larry "Bud" Melman, didn't leave any heirs but he left behind a lasting legacy of laughs :D

[@thefantasyreview8709]

You can hear letterman laughing his head off in the background at the port authority segment... its hilarious.

[@kerryhale8646]

I remember staying up in junior high school to watch Dave, always hoping Larry Bud Melman would be on. This is the funniest stuff ever.

[@DragonMasterSubo]

Larry "Bud" Melman interviewing people was my actual favorite thing as a child. I thought it was an SNL skit and no one had any idea what I was talking about. The way he never finishes the sentences before passing the mic, and just hands out hot towels. I remember watching this with my grandfather way back in the day. Later on when they'd claim some celebrity was coming on (Streisand, Carson) and it was just be him, always lost it. Good God was he funny.

[@davidmeichner8346]

It was a treat to have the chance to stay up late on school nights to watch this.

[@Chunglingsoo]

So happy to see your videos back, Don. And thank you again for posting them!

[@excaliburhead]

I had to stop the video after 5 minutes because my entire body hurt from laughing

[@vintageccm4658]

Thanks for posting! This is gold!!!!

[@cattathat]

Thank you for this upload.

[@shandalear3252]

Good old Larry Bud...one if the fixtures of my life in NYC! ♥️

[@mubd1234]

Calvert is so...unprofessional (in the nicest possible way), yet so eager that you can’t help but laugh. The NBC microphone flag being used in some of the crosses also adds a layer of feigned gravitas which makes it even more funny.

[@JusticeForTheDead]

2:06:45 the kiss on the top of his head we all wish we could've given this man for making us laugh! Thanks for having him all those years, Dave...

[@BuddhatheRockstar]

I stopped watching TV 7 years ago. Dave was so eccentric and so were his guests❤

[@xanadu7lukas]

I remember meeting Bif and larry Bud at the Doorway to Rock center those were great days nice guys too genuine!!

[@iansg75]

Tremendous! Welcome back DonzTV

[@dongiller]

Thank Carson Productions, which rescinded their takedowns. I had two strikes from that. Then, last Friday morning, UMG took down the two Prince performances on LS. That got me the third and fatal strike, and the channel was taken down. No way to create a new one. Then Carson came through after I pleaded with them. They’re great people.

[@iansg75]

@@dongiller The fine folks at Carson Productions are definitely great people, tip of the proverbial hat to them.

[@tomz500]

Don, thanks for when you put these videos on here you that the viewer feels like they're watching the show and not just very short clips.

[@marymurphy8353]

I saw him in chicago. I don’t remember why he was there but my brother and I went downtown to see him.

[@TyrSkyFatherOfTheGods]

Oh my god, him and the kid in Times Square for the "Spring Festival" - I almost wet my pants.

[@hinthegroove9740]

When I didn’t think I could “Larry Bud” made me laugh.

[@NankerPhelge65]

Larry kept moving the mic before finishing his sentence 🤣😆😂🤣

[@joelspencer9233]

37 years ago today...Larry " Bud" Melman at the Port Authority Bus Terminal! I wanted to comment on this today because I have watched most of your great compilations the past year and this one is definitely one of my favorites. Like others have already said, I think Port Authority is not just one of the funniest moments in Letterman's history...it's one of the funniest moments in TV history! The part with Larry and the microphone is so funny, but I love the bit with the dance instructor as well (and what a sweet person she seemed to be!). It kind of bothers me that Larry/Calvert sometimes gets described as being "terrible" or "untalented." I thought he was hysterical with the dance instructor...looking back at the camera when she's offscreen and his " Got that? I don't want to repeat it." line was perfect (From the man who usually repeated everything said back to him!). But this entire compilation is terrific (I hadn't seen most of these...I am really impressed with your knowledge and other posters' knowledge of Late Night). These compilations have brought back so many memories of what life was like back in the mid-to-late 80s and early 90s for me. Life was definitely not perfect back then...but I miss a lot of things about that era. Thank you again for posting these!

[@jgarofalo8813]

He was never terrible or untalented, his screw ups brought too much laughter.

[@ibidesign]

4:23 Swear to God, that's Chief Inspector Clouseau over Larry's right shoulder (behind him and to the left onscreen).

[@krisstarring]

Larry "Bud" Melman aka Calvet DeForest was a clascic fixture on Letterman's show. It was pretty sad when he died.

[@patrickmccarthy7877]

Larry Bud Melman looked like my dad with a touch of Lyndon Johnson.

[@cattathat]

27:27 😂😂😂😂😂 Still gets me

[@Rob_Kates]

Free hot towels!

[@professorm4171]

I saw Calvert once in the subway in NYC.

[@thegrimyeaper]

HAHAHAHAHA! I love that joke.

[@cattathat]

But i did see him shopping in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn back in the day.

[@sinicalypse]

Tell me you got a selfie with the guy and posted it on the 80s equivalent of instagram

[@joeambrose3260]

I call BS. Post pics

[@mubd1234]

I'm pretty sure that the Times Square microphone malfunction was caused by Calvert blowing out the microphone's diaphragm by yelling so loudly into it!

[@arthurnitzschke6991]

In the 1st clip, I may have figured out who the guy with the mustache is. He says he's in N.Y to be in a movie called "Sweet Ginger Brown". IMDB says that was an early title for the movie "The Flamingo Kid". Found a clip on KZbin (in Spanish) that I thought looked a little like him, but without the mustache. If that is him, he's an actor named Googy Gress. Can anyone confirm this?

[@toweypat]

Good work! I thought he looked like a camera guy or something, hehe.

[@arthurnitzschke6991]

@@toweypat Thanks!

[@viviandarkbloom100]

I swear I was crying by 3 minutes in.

[@viviandarkbloom100]

@Royal Lurch 'Laid Back' Hightower Esq. IDK. Maybe a Bob Dylan vid. Or Norm Macdonald?

[@viviandarkbloom100]

@Royal Lurch 'Laid Back' Hightower Esq. You know who else it could be? You guessed it......Frank Stallone.

[@UpstateMediaNY]

@Don Giller. Awesome work as always, Don....Are there enough instances to make a compilation of Dave legitimately losing it in hysterics ala the Port Authority clip? The Casey Kasem "Top ten #'s from 1 to 10" comes to mind, also.

[@dongiller]

Not sure. I’ll have to think about it some more.

[@Lateshowrob]

Agreed, would love to see that compilation. Many of them would include Chris Elliot, who always seemed to make Dave lose it.

[@davedee4382]

Those were the days.

[@mubd1234]

At 1:16:00 where Dave is plugging Benihana frozen meals, it looks like NBC edited out a good chunk of Dave’s pitch before the break bumper slide. I suppose he must have said something unflattering about em...

[@imaguandaloops]

"She finds it for me!"

[@kylem7341]

What seems to be the topic of conversation? What a magnificent skyline...

[@xanadu7lukas]

long live Calvert the Spring in Times Square and interview w the Black Dude and the Newport's gift and the port Authority bus I watched at home and remember Hilarious everyone including Dave laughing so much RIP Calvert u made so many laughs forever....

[@keto6789]

The good old days!! Why can't I go back please?! I'm tired of COVID!!

[@caveatemp]

Strange that the writers thought his real name wasn't funny enough!

[@throwingsparks]

GOLDEN!!

[@Contractnik]

BB King and Andy Kaufman...his guests on Nov 17...wow.

[@chumcool]

9:24 The Movie that this man has arrived to New York to work on is a film called "The Flamingo Kid". Tho the man says the movie was called "Sweet Ginger Brown", this was only a working title. Working Titles are used for reasons just like this. Anyone affiliated with the film, especially crew, will generally not know the exact title so that they can not bring attention to them selves from any media sources that may result in leakage of the films plot. "The Flamingo Kid" starring Matt Dillon was the first movie ever to be given a (PG-13) rating. It was also Marisa Tomei's first film. Just thought this was interesting.

[@joeambrose3260]

Just kidding, interesting tidbit

[@earlcampbell8927]

Thanks Don! Back in the day it was hard to deal with not having Larry Bud any more. Like losing one of the key actors on a sitcom, you just accept it and hope the dang writers come up with good ideas. Hey here’s a question I would enjoy your perspective on: • What in your opinion was the best or peak or your favorite time period for Letterman? (you could say a year or group of years) • and what was the weakest? I would be happy to answer but I’d have to think about it.

[@dongiller]

Way too complicated an answer for so simple a question. I'm never comfortable pontificating about this stuff. For Me, Late Night was it. Every night was an experiment. There was gold in the Late Show years, but they were few and far between. You could tell Dave was going through the motions, especially after his heart surgery. Until the last Christmas show and the last 5 months, when it all began to mean something again, not only for viewers but also for Dave as well.

[@earlcampbell8927]

Don Giller Excellent answer! I knew a Letterman fan would not dodge the question. I asked because you’re so familiar with the whole range. I really don’t have a good answer yet, but the first things that come to mind: • I was about 12, home alone watching the usual daytime tv (no cable) when his daily morning show arrived, and I loved the uniquely awkward humor • high school years with the early years of Late Night: Larry Bud; subtle and not-so-subtle disrespect of dumb or egotistical celebs; and “the pinheads at nbc and GE”... Then when he announced his retirement, I never missed a single show. The last episode and the highlights show were epic. Working the drive-thru etc. And who can forget Mujiber and Sirajul

[@dongiller]

You were a fan before me. A friend suggested I check out the morning show that summer of ‘80, but - and I can offer some excuses - a health issue at the time - but I tuned in for maybe a minute and didn’t give it a chance. You caught on immediately; I didn’t. It was the following year, in 1981, when I was on a Carson kick, and Dave would guest. That’s when I began to “get” him.

[@earlcampbell8927]

Don Giller I’m a bit of a sarcastic basterd, and I love Rickles and Rodney Dangerfield’s blunt characters, so Dave hit my funny bone just right. And when he started sticking the knife in nbc and GE, I’m thinking this guy’s unbelievable. The timing was just right in society for that irreverent stuff. Now everything’s PC and you can’t be mean without getting tattled on and boycotted. Unless your target is a certain leader and his party. No rules there, call ‘em the worst names ever uttered on tv. (I won’t get political. Any media/entertainment critic would agree that’s the case). And it’s relevant, as it makes ALL the current hosts unwatchable. P.S. I never agreed with Dave’s politics, but it didn’t bother me at all because like Carson he kept it minimal 👍🏼

[@dongiller]

Let’s avoid the political stuff in here. There are countless outlets for that.

[@johndolan2911]

Does anyone remember when he sang “Dock of the Bay?”

[@davedee4382]

Dave is really tall!

[@supachaloopa3611]

Not sure why, but I've always thought SNL writers came up with this whole series of sketches with Larry "Bud" Melman.

[@ras124]

The good ol days

[@jimjonrs3932]

Love how he could never figure out the Mike.

[@sammavacaist]

I dont think television would dare to put on utter chaos anymore. Even "reality" shows are scripted. I wonder if today's audience would like it though.

[@ztoxtube]

Is it me or are the Late Show remotes intentionally a mess? He could never hear Dave, but seemed to have no earpiece in.

[@captainscentsible1811]

Always notice older people call me by my real longer given name.just like bud calls d.l. david. I can relate. Anyone older uses your real name, younger the easier form of your name.and close friends, call you by a nickname

[@mattybgame]

Don, do you have any Burt Reynolds?

[@dongiller]

Uploaded three years ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYellZmbacaSitk

[@dariawells7438]

1:14:04 - Dave flirts with a Merill Markoe lookalike.

[@abrahamlincoln9758]

y'injoy the shrimp? HA HA HAAAAAAA

[@jraney69]

nobody at abc can adjust the gain on a microphone? LOL

[@dongiller]

ABC?

[@tammycampbell7797]

NBC

[@caseyg214]

Leno never did anything even close to the port authority funny....

[@elfritts9895]

Toast on a stick 😅😅

[@randyj420]

This got me through my junior high years...then high school. Brilliant. My loss of sleep was absolutely worth every second. I feel so lucky to have had this comedy help form me - more so than my formal schooling. Brilliant. Thanks Don - thanks DL and crew!

[@HotelAVJobs]

The perfect disaster of timing and comedy. There is a significant lost brilliance here folks I doubt we will ever see again...

[@alexcasas7572]

The Port Authory remote is in my TOP3 funniest things I've ever watched in TV. The first segment is perfect: the tall bus driver next to the diminute Calvert, the botching of the lines, the microphone, the clueless lady, the towels, the "how may wha?"... and David loosing it in the studio.

[@timharrod]

NELCOME

[@alexcasas7572]

@@timharrod Peter Webster.

[@siggylloyd3566]

Well stated! I believe that in many ways, the first clip epitomizes so much of what was incredible about the early Late Night shows.

[@ernestkinas5973]

@@siggylloyd3566 Those were special years. Dave lost his edge when he went to CBS. I haven't seen most of these clips since they were originally aired back in the eighties when I was a teenager. And they're even funnier than I remember. Good job. Don Giller.

[@Vejur9000]

Yes. That’s a classic at the bus terminal.

[@hindskn]

Don Giller, you continue to perform an invaluable public service. Thank you for all of your hard work!

[@dongiller]

Thanks, Ken. Appreciated!

[@gilwood7530]

I loved the Letterman show ...Was lucky enough to get to see the show live a bunch of times . Larry "Bud" was always a blast. When i saw PEE WEE HERMAN live he shared some funny stories about hanging with LARRY . Dave had the best insane late night stuff ...We were always "tuned up " by the time he came on

[@xanadu7lukas]

Calvert was the best this is SO REAL you could NEVER ever do this today ever this is Honest NY and funny priceless Thanks LBM u r laughing w the Angels forever man....

[@ussemi4912]

Wow! "Larry Melman" was comedy gold!!! Bravo!

[@rufuswalling5519]

Larry just radiates love it’s incredible.

[@superfuzzymomma]

Goodness, I miss the NYC of the 80s.

[@wilsonstone935]

Me too, I lived there in the mid 80s and loved it, been back a few times and just not the same,. That unique personality is gone

[@sinicalypse]

By the time I got to NYC (2007) there were military ppl in full fatigues brandishing assault weapons @ Penn Station #WelcomeToNewYork

[@sammavacaist]

I was a kid at the time, but I would love to go back and experience it as an adult. I got there in 1998 when it was a whole different place.

[@Vejur9000]

This show was classic late night New York City. Iconic.

[@markromero5331]

After watching this series, It really set in, " How old I really am ". Thanks for Turning Back the Hands of Time for me, to enjoy once again another look, at one of the greatest times in my life. Your work, does not, go unappreciated. Thank you Don.

[@leelarson5994]

This is comedy gold. Thank you.

[@NankerPhelge65]

GOLD !

[@SlapthePissouttayew]

"Won't you please accept this carton of menthol cigarettes." lol

[@vatonorteno]

Calvert could never get it that he needs to keep the mic on him until he finishes asking the question. LOL.

[@LogoMan7777]

55:20 - A high school student takes a carton of menthol cigarettes. I think that's why Bud went back to hors d'oeuvres.

[@NankerPhelge65]

Larry is gangsta 😂

[@jedblaugrund597]

Well, this is just fabulous. Thank you!

[@leonardstilwell1894]

That Port Authority remote. Man alive, I couldn't stop laughing!