Charles Grodin Collection on Letterman, Part 1 of 7: 1982-88

Prologue:
a. September 10, 1997. Dave on Charles' CNBC show.
b. December 11, 1998. Charles on Late Late Show with Tom Snyder.
Late Night:
1. February 24, 1982.
One of the original Late Night writers Stephen Winer, May 18, 2021:
"Hey, you know what? I actually wrote for Charles Grodin once! My partner and I wrote this cold opening for the Letterman show. At the time he was in the news for starting a campaign to make people 'friendly.' So yeah this bit is pretty much on the nose but he brought his usual full commitment to it."
2. December 23, 1982. "Charlie's Aunt."
(December 11, 1998. Charles on Late Late Show with Tom Snyder.)
3. September 21, 1983. Dave Waits for Cable show; "Charlie's Aunt."
4. January 23, 1985 (taped January 22). "Movers and Shakers."
5. May 8, 1985 (taped May 1). "Movers and Shakers."
6. May 1, 1986. "The Last Resort."
7. November 17, 1986 (taped November 4). "Fresno."
8. May 4, 1987. "Ishtar."
9. July 13, 1988. "Midnight Run."

[@blackwonderBW]

Grodin was the ONLY guest who gave Dave as much as Dave dished out.

[@R_G88888]

Norm.

[@randylevy]

I can't think of a better tribute to Charles Grodin than this Epic collection. Thanks (as always), Don.

[@pythonslab3963]

Thank you for making this!~ this is talk show history for me. RIP to another great.

[@tosderg]

leave it to future generations to puzzle over the surpassing will and dedication of the men forged in the usenet crucible, when giants walked among us, and there was so, so much less to do. thanks as always, don.

[@GeneBurnett]

I used to love whenever Charles Grodin was a guest with Dave. At the time, I had no idea Dave was in on it. I just thought Charles was a "difficult" guest who was always giving Dave a hard time. There weren't too many guests who were so aggressively in Dave's face, so it was always fun to see what he'd do each time he was on. Kind of similar to Sandra Bernhard in that way. I'm looking forward to working my way through these compilations. Thanks as always for preserving and sharing these shows, and thanks in particular for the work it takes to do these compilations. It's so great to see these "threads" through time.

[@p.b.edwards7287]

Honestly, it's like he was born to be on talk shows and particularly Dave's.

[@michaelj.r457]

To the rescue, as always. Thanks Don!!!! RIP to the great Charles Grodin

[@PeaceCommando]

Two times during this video, I laughed so hard it turned into a coughing spree where I had to take a moment to gasp for air. Thank you very much, Don.

[@TheCream14]

Charles Grodin was such a great talent. He'll be missed!!

[@Jezza819]

As soon as I heard Charles had passed away, you were the first person I thought of. I'm so glad to see these compilations. Charles was a great guest here with Dave and also with Johnny Carson. Thanks so much for putting in the work to make this collection.

[@livesdoxa]

I love this channel

[@LeeKav]

The 'Dave waiting for cable' episode I watched in full on KZbin some time ago, and was the first I saw of Grodin. He was hysterical in that one, and I never saw anything else for the longest time - so glad to see theirs dozens of appearances that are just as funny.

[@ronachten2902]

Thank you, Donz! You spoil us. I've been waiting for this like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.

[@capsfan3940]

Such and underrated comic talent was Grodin. He will be missed. I have already been missing him for years as a talk show guest. RIP to a legend.

[@zarrahkat8954]

Hey Don -- Thank you! Hope things are well. Always loved this guy - the ultimate condescending narcissist on screen that is truly lovable and caring. My favorite movie for years was Seems Like Old Times - Marvin Hamlisch score. (today in my top 5) He and Gary Shandling always competed for 'a-hole of the year' - I think it was always a tie.

[@Threetsnotricks]

Grodin is just masterful @ his craft, like a great chef

[@TKRepository]

I'm just now discovering this guy. What a fucking G. His deadpan humor is bar none.

[@whoareyoutoaccuseme]

He's my hero. I'm a woman but always felt a sort of kinship with him. He's everything I wish I could be. Most ppl my age didn't even rly know who he was as they'd usually only seen those Beethoven movies. But he inspired me more than anyone closer to my own age.

[@canastraroyal]

​@@whoareyoutoaccuseme I'm curious now. What exactly would you like to be like?

[@siggylloyd3566]

Nice use of opening clips for context on Grodin's recurrent persona/act while with Dave. You're not simply editing, Don, you're curating!

[@rwilson7197]

Agreed❤

[@tims4694]

Just like with Teri Garr, Charles Grodin's appearances on Letterman were must-see TV.

[@v8vrooooom]

I have been looking for a comprehensive Grodin collection for a long time, thank you thank! These guys are great and so are you Don!

[@plaws0]

Don, Don, Don. Thank you, again. My wife (who I met about the time Dave came on) still doesn't get Dave. I was sitting out on the deck just now watching on the laptop. Had to have earbuds in, of course. Laughing away maniacally while getting strange looks ... These are classics.

[@janilindqvist2021]

These interviews (if you can call them that) are just pure gold. Thanks again Don!

[@roccoand2612]

Thanks Don- I remember seeing most of these when they were new. Excellent execution on the editing and presentation. There's probably a better word to describe it but I just like the way you put this together, with the Snyder sprinkled in.

[@jsv438]

I can't believe how many of these clips you have together. I really never would've guessed he was on the show THAT many times! Great entertainer too! ~JSV

[@georgesotiriou7051]

Don you may well be the greatest man who ever lived.

[@craigplumlee]

I've been waiting for this😀 Thank you

[@jans724]

Great tribute to Charles Grodin. Even though I've seen these several times I always enjoy watching them again!

[@raradis]

Thanks for these, I listen to Charles & Dave while working.. and just laugh. Thank you.

[@an645]

I have been watching these with Grodin and enjoying them so much. Laughing my a** off.

[@johnperrigo6474]

My favorite part was when David asked him about doing love scenes, and Charles went off into the whole "what to do with my valuables" routine. That was classic Charles Grodin. No one else could pull that off.

[@faykguru]

tears from laughing so hard

[@Alvan81]

Thank You so much for the Intro to help folks watching this decades later to understand the Truth. That the hosts _loved_ what Charles Grodin was doing, and were on on the joke! 36? Johnny Carson appearances.

[@marksoquetjr4693]

You are awesome! Thanks for the upload.

[@20EUR20]

💚 He was very entertaining on Carson and Letterman! One the best guests.

[@jeil5676]

Love Charles Grodin.

[@rvy26]

Thank you, Don, for your dedication to put this compilation together; RIP to Charles Grodin.

[@chriszozaski5813]

Grodin's dismissiveness (1:34:21) at Letterman saying he knows Paul Newman is comedically brilliant.

[@merlinsclaw]

Been waiting for this collection. Grodin was the best.

[@jmaxxtv9912]

Can't thank you enough, Don...This is GOLD!

[@bramiwami]

I dont want to smother you with adulation, because i feel you arent the kind of person who likes this, but thank you, thank you so much. Im so depressed and this video gives me an escape and urgently needed laughs. Thank you.

[@fatalmodelmadhatter]

Just writing this to let you know you're not alone. Keep fighting the good fight, man. Cheers!

[@bramiwami]

Thank you, guys. This means a lot to me

[@tastyjay]

I have the segment to promote Midnight Runner pretty much memorized. I VCR'ed that back in the day and watched it over and over again. So, so, so much funny in that interview. It really takes me back to the summer before my sophomore year. God bless Charles for creating the persona and delivering on it some perfectly. And thanks to Dave and Johnny for knowing the score and following along. God damn, that was special.

[@carllafong84]

YES! You're a legend. Thank you for this, and all your other uploads.

[@DDechoes87]

well, I thoroughly enjoyed this! thanks Don!

[@jrpipik]

Even on that first show they seem to refer to previous interviews. Had he been on the show earlier? Or had David interviewed Charles on the morning show or a guest hosting gig on the Tonight Show?

[@dongiller]

The latter. Stay tuned.

[@GeneBurnett]

Midnight Run...so good. One of my favorite Deniro movie lines ever: "I've got two words for you...shut the f**k up."

[@FanboyFilms]

One of my favorite movies of all time. "You ever have sex with a chicken?"

[@aslansown]

I love that movie!! "I can't fly! I can't fly!!"

[@VladimirMicic]

RIP legend.

[@theiceman6941]

Letterman in Midnight Run! 😄 Dave: "Let's get some donuts!" Ha ha ha, I could SEE that! 😄

[@reprogrammingmind]

He always passed the litmus configuration.

[@morningstar8651]

The great Charles Grodin. You will be missed.

[@leonardstilwell1894]

WOO HOOOO!!! Been waiting for this! Can't wait!!!

[@rareosts5752]

This is amazing, thanks so much for this, Don! I was so hurt when I heard of Charles Grodin's passing. My experience with him has been almost solely through online clips of his fantastic appearances, so this is such a gift.

[@greenthumb382]

Been binge watching for 2 days. Thank you for doing this! Love Charles Grondin, remember him in Heartbreak Kid and rewatched it last night. Just subscribed.

[@dongiller]

Thanks!

[@gfrobb]

Thank you, sir.

[@leonardstilwell1894]

Don, I'm glad to see your subscriber count has continued to climb! Hope it keeps up!

[@victoryak86]

I’ve watched this compilation (embarrassingly 😁) like three times. Just so funny, Grodin was my favorite guest on here as well as on Carson. Any chance you have a similar compilation for him on Carson? Thanks for putting these together. Well done!

[@dongiller]

I have the shows (or most of them), but I can’t put them up due to copyright issues, since nearly all of them come from Carson Entertainment Group’s licensing site. I’m grateful they allowed me to include Grodin’s appearance when Dave guest-hosted (which came from their site), but they certainly wouldn’t allow their site’s uploads with Johnny as host.

[@victoryak86]

@@dongiller thanks for that. The Letterman ones are very funny. I’ve seen a couple with Johnny and he was really good on there too, but I know he had been on it a lot of other times. In a way it’s too bad they’re so protective of the content to the point where people just can’t enjoy it. Thanks again.

[@antlerking69]

Thanx Don

[@spuzzlightyeartoo]

Charles Grodin doing the Shirley MacClaine interview style and succeeding.

[@JackSilbert]

Thank you so much for these, Don! Interesting in this first batch to watch Grodin develop the argumentative bit over time.

[@kirbygene]

Love this.

[@imlurking232]

Deadpan hilarious sarcasm. No one ever better

[@optimalintelligence3413]

RIP CHARLES

[@danielfrederickson4202]

This is lovely. Two of my favorites, Chuck and Dave. R.I.P. Mr. Grodin. P.S. I think Michael Shannon could play a great David Letterman in a biopic. The resemblance is uncanny.

[@davidanchovies3340]

Nice 'Midnight Run' trailer, too

[@toddfeldman6057]

Grodin seemed more extreme with Carson, doesn't seem to get as much under Dave's skin but still some good back and forth. Great collection!

[@drj602]

Loved him.

[@pablog2000]

He's so good. I have a lot of re spect for you too

[@MrEzekiel1982]

Dave always had his hands full with this character

[@balaton1]

I love Charles Grodin. The most perfect of awkward.

[@spuzzlightyeartoo]

But MAN, the Grodin schtick took a bit to develop, but by the end of this part he's just totally nailing it.

[@MrGpschmidt]

Grodin was a god send in many ways particularly w/Johnny & Dave. Q: you may have already addressed this - why is a clip from a film not being shown (i.e. I was hoping to see the clip from MOVERS & SHAKERS - which I know of but have never seen). Thanks Don & keep these coming re: Letterman overall.

[@dongiller]

I delete nearly all movie and tv promotional clips due to copyright caution.

[@rwilson7197]

At the very end: Grodin: I fiilmed in New Zealand. Letterman: you did not. G: I did, I did, I did, I did, ok I didn't 😆😆😆

[@christopherwelch136]

Comedic genius.

[@MrJeffMaloney]

He was very good

[@Alam-jg2rx]

Never knew of charles grodin but have seen some movies he was in but i will check out his stuff in honor of him, what are some good movies i should check out of his or tv stuff, but man this was great to see the anger they both had on late night its a great watch to see them in late night.

[@dongiller]

Start with these two: “The Heartbreak Kid” and “Midnight Run.”

[@ssnoc]

Grodin was so funny a real superstar - not many of those - he was terrific and is missed 👏👏🙏

[@playedout148]

Great in Midnight Run.

[@jswets5007]

1:36:20 The best! Until 1:36:43 Both of these men are amazing.

[@hooskerdu1]

Charles Grodin was a treasure, and for me his death on the pain factor scale was up there with Bowie and Tom Petty.

[@matthewbeechr]

Oh my god he is so giddy for the Fresno interview

[@DUCKSAREEVILLLLLLLL]

Carson had Grodin on 36 times because he was good TV, and helped his ratings. All Carson cared about was making a show that people would watch. People wanted to see Grodin make Carson uncomfortable, and if people wanted to see that, Carson would accommodate them by having Grodin on. The same goes for Letterman. If Grodin was on either show, we always watched.

[@mercster]

Herpatology. God bless Chuck.

[@deinse82]

1:22:20 Pure genius, right there.

[@joshgable5680]

“it’s big time wrestling remember?”- David Letterman speaking to a “distraught” Dick Simmons.

[@Thegbear]

I heard about this guy through conversations Norm MacDonald was having with guests. KZbin is fucking cool sometimes, because anything I don’t know about I can just look it up like the fucking library of Alexandria.

[@someotherdude]

KZbin is absolutely awesome, it is the go-to for entertainment but also for info and for how to get thru life. It's replaced TV in my home (advice: get the Chromecast TV dongle)

[@davisnafshun4758]

Lmao 57:20 "re-spect"

[@michaelreeves3637]

Charles is a one-man Roast.

[@Studeb]

Wonder if he knew what a classic turkey Ishtar would turn into when he promoted it. I've never seen it, kinda want to now.

[@roccoand2612]

I didn't recall the fig-cam. Was this the only time?

[@dongiller]

It was.

[@IIITumbleWeedIII]

1:22:08 What's the name of this song?

[@dongiller]

“A Girl Like You” - Rascals. Original recording here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHPHoKpupNWsp8U

[@IIITumbleWeedIII]

@@dongiller Oh, hey ...thanks! Didn't think it would be the channel owner replying!

[@paulmcginn5146]

love marlo

[@benrichards399]

Did he ever go on leno? Never seen one 🤔

[@spensert4933]

"You come across as a..."

[@mariodorado2680]

Jesus H Christ!!! Grodin,in 82, looked like the living carbon copy of serial killer Ted Buddy😮🫣