Chris Elliott Performs "Rocket Man" | Letterman

Respect to William Shatner.
(From "Late Night," air date: 6/12/92)
#chriselliott #williamshatner #letterman
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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. The language may strike you as quaint & flowery, the clothing comically lacey & ornate - but that’s how things were back in this colorful and now bygone era.

[@robclarkson5356]

I could watch a thousand Letterman/Elliot clips. They are always so hilarious together.

[@theblade9024]

spoofing Shatner who did a dramtic version that was hilarious.

[@HigherPlanes]

As a child I always thought Chris was a goofy and unskilled actor, even though he made me laugh...as an adult now I realize how talented he really is.

[@cygnustsp]

The most underappreciated comic ever

[@thingmaker67]

"I miss my wife too" plus eye roll. So funny! I wonder if Shatner has seen this. He must have, right?

[@mcdarwin]

How did I miss this episode? Chris channeling Shatner? Genius.

[@michaelparks6120]

Chris has all the charm and magical qualities that one may guess at random 😃

[@Piggy-Oink-Oink]

Shatner's Rocket Man is the MOST obtusely brilliant performance ever on television.

[@lindabaron4584]

Heck yeah!! 😂

[@MagicAl5F4781]

This was really out there at the time and Chris Elliott is a genius. This was so many years after Shatner's one-time performance that most people would have no idea what this is, but it's perfect in every way, not just a random pop-culture reference (again, no reason to expect anyone to get it) but a personal artistic expression, channeling Elliot's own anxieties following the cancellation of his TV series Get A Life by reenacting what Shatner's career was for several years following the cancellation of Star Trek. It's hilarious and deep and real, and the best thing about Family Guy and anyone else imitating the bit is giving more people the chance to find this original parody and appreciate how rich Elliott's work is.

[@davidfuller764]

Right on! Thanks

[@dgodrummer8110]

and no internet archive. so most of us had no idea Shatner's version existed.

[@GolfAfter50]

Like some others here, I also saw Chris' version before seeing Shatner's. When I finally did, Hashtag MindBlown.

[@michaelparks6120]

Have you seen Shatner do Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds? It's enough to make you question the existence of God or even bigfoot 😉

[@theblade9024]

spoofing Shatner who did a dramatic version that was hilarious.

[@christopherwall444]

Chris's comfort level on stage in front of an audience has no equal

[@sCulturefan]

It was already the 90s, but Paul nailed those mid-70s synthesizer sounds here

[@Writebrain82]

Little piece of trivia. Chris actually did this in front of Elton John way back in 2009 and Elton was so moved he wrote the song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" right after that and dedicated it to Chris Elliot. True Story. I saw it online. :-p hehe

[@AudioFileZ]

The more out-there Chris gets it's like he's just getting started. Love it.

[@quesoblanco444]

This song is so powerful, and it really helped me get through that difficult time in my life when my father, a jazz street musician, was brutally murdered by satanic cultists. Thank you for helping me get through those hard times Chris.

[@DiodeMom]

Which song? Lol

[@leebrock4783]

Top tier comment. 💯

[@ontologicallysteve7765]

By Satanic cultists? Holy balls, my friend. That's too oddly specific to be made up. Condolences.

[@blueabattoir]

This song helps when my herpes flares up. Thank you Mr. Elliot! You truly are a Rocket Man.

[@peaceandlove544]

I am so sorry 😢😢😢

[@michaelparks6120]

You gotta love when he undoes his tie!

[@steves1588]

The genius of Chris Elliot...one of the few reasons to own a TV

[@faheyplayer]

Chris’ comic sense is absolutely hilarious. The whole vanity thing, ego, just cracks me up

[@MrCHAIRMANOFTHEBORED]

I remember when Chris performed in a spoof of an NBC show called "Goddess of Love" when Chris said I am the Goddess of Love,then he belched, and said no really I am the Goddess of Love,chris is hilarious and so is his daughter Abby,she was great on Saturday Night Live

[@stevelang6083]

So ahead of his time. Chris Elliott was the #1 reason to watch Letterman in the 1980s

[@michaelparks6120]

You defined hip knowing Chris Elliott in the 80s.

[@theblade9024]

spoofing Shatner who did a dramatic version that was hilarious.

[@stardust_memories2260]

This version of Rocket Man always brought tears to my eyes.🚀

[@v4v819]

Did you see Shatner's

[@stardust_memories2260]

This is good tears, Shatner's were bad tears

[@JD_Cool]

It's nearly impossible to be able to parody a parody. But that's how good Chris Elliott is.

[@chriszozaski]

And you have to take into account that back in '92, I'm gonna assume that a large percentage of people who saw this had no idea that it was a parody.

[@JD_Cool]

@@chriszozaski Good point. Pre KZbin, the only folks with knowledge of Shatner's shtick were those who saw it live.

[@theblade9024]

spoofing Shatner who did a dramatic version that was hilarious.

[@mulemule]

Except Shatner didn't do his as a parody.

[@trekkiejunk]

"a parody of a parody?" I am not convinced Shatner's interpretation from the 70's was a parody. He did a whole album like that, and still does those types of "raps" onstage.

[@moxica93]

Was watching Michael Mann's "Manhunter" from '86 - and all of a sudden, there's Chris Elliot!

[@Itelkner]

That wig Chris is sporting is quite a statement. I've never seen his head vaguely resemble Art Garfunkel more!

[@lesweizman388]

the greatest impersonation of shatner ever

[@gersonkphone]

This was before most people had the internet, so Shatner's performance was a hazy memory for some, a rumor for others, and a traded VHS tape for very few. And people couldn't jus go online to ask wtf they'd just seen. Sheer trust in the material and performance.

[@abundantYOUniverse]

I saw this when it aired hilarious thanks! The famous Shatner bit.

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

Did Chris Elliot actually manage to out-Shatner Shatner? This deserved a lifetime achievement award!

[@baronoflivonia.3512]

Chris Elliot was hilarious, Man under seats was a good bit too.

[@MarkKanaster-ev6pq]

Dave is Dave he deals with Chris shangenens like a proud parent does with their kids 😊

[@kamuelalee]

"Chris, I think you made us all sick." Truer words were never spoken.

[@PilotsWorld]

Elliot and Letterman. Let's get these two together to do something again.

[@adamlytle2615]

Cabin Boy 2!

[@MarkKanaster-ev6pq]

Two comic geniuses

[@larryhuston8433]

Chris is such a riot

[@davidchandler5432]

The Max Headroom bit made me laugh a lot since this was like 4 years after Max Headroom was relevant, that's a funny thing for Elliott to pretend was going on. I was only a kid back then but I loved his sitcom, he was my favorite comedian because of his Letterman bits.

[@Itelkner]

Another of Chris's favorite go-to funny-bone ticklers - bring up an old dated reference as if it were a current thing.

[@michaelparks6120]

This is gold...especially for those that don't get it.....

[@andrewfurst5711]

ESPECIALLY, for those... who don't... GET IT!

[@botboy6977]

Love his self-important attitude, Chris what a talent!

[@ArchernAce]

I have always loved this man.

[@zabagar]

Chris Elliott on Letterman! For me it couldn’t be better!

[@peaceandlove544]

Best Chris Elliot bit

[@superfly3990]

You know, and I'd like to take this opportunity to speak for everyone, including both Sid Caesar and Charlie Callas, Chris Elliott has more natural god given talent in the end of his pinky finger than the entire cast of The Partridge Family has in their entire finger. And I really mean that too.

[@Itelkner]

It takes one of deep showbiz insight to tie all those analogous threads together.

[@nedwart]

What a fancy lad!

[@UberNeuman]

I saw Chris Elliot's take on Shatner's years before I saw the original vid. My mind was blown when I finally did. lol.

[@brian-ld4vd]

Chris Elliott is the best comedian of the 80's and 90's.

[@privatepenguin3137]

I remember this appearance very very well.

[@michaelparks6120]

OMG, these guys are hilarious!!

[@TwinPeaksArchive1]

Brilliant!

[@RM-ed1if]

Never underestimate the challenge of shopping for quality hair pieces.

[@Matty-vw8vw]

Chris Elliott so underrated

[@michaelparks6120]

BTW, his hair hat is the vees knees

[@charlenemack7040]

Chris Elliott, a genius just like his dad.

[@wads_o_hair]

That blond TJ Hooker wig alone is worth the price of admission.

[@Itelkner]

Haha... you're right! Good catch. Chris is spoofing Shatner's TJ Hooker-era penchant for wearing "stylish" wigs.

[@SameAsAnyOtherStranger]

I was thinking this must have been were "Family Guy" got this bit, but then I read the video description- "Respect to William Shatner" and I was like "Oh yeah. I forgot about that."

[@jamesgoforth1606]

I forgot how good he was on there

[@Afriend-nv4uq]

“I miss my wife too.” Priceless.

[@milfordmkt]

At the time, before internet/KZbin, most of us didn't know he was satirizing a bizarre Shatner performance from a 1970's Sci-Fi awards show. Stewie did his own rendition of this same routine on an episode of Family Guy. Look that one up too. All three performance, back to back, are a laugh riot!

[@james5460]

Shatner apparently was doing a Sinatra "It's a quarter to 3 and the bar is empty" kind of deal and it was stupefying. I watched it at the time - late '70s - and for the life of me couldn't figure out what was going on. Just knowing that Chris Elliott even knew about it to parody is mind-blowing! But Shatner's honestly was funnier 'cuz he was serious!

[@marcthompson3665]

Still waiting to see Chris's masterpiece, "Poolside Ecstasy."

[@timtravels116]

Chris Elliot is so funny that I started laughing looking at the thumbnail.

[@stevelibby6852]

Genuis to the genius power.

[@peterj4741]

I still remember “ get a life “… it had some sort of impact on a very young boy. Thanks Chris…

[@jonlong5197]

C.E. got that Art Garfunkle thing going.

[@JasonJolley71]

*hugs dave*

[@abc-bu7nr]

The difference is that Chris was undoubtedly going for comedy Shatner was clearly doing a dramatic version that was undeniably comical as hell

[@mego73]

I love it but I am surprised there was an awareness of the Shatner clip before the internet.

[@dnatzel5472]

I'm in the mood to watch Cabin Boy.

[@ericjohnston591]

Patio Chairs to ya!

[@Itelkner]

"And I'm gonna be.......HIGH!!!!"

[@georgemaranville3305]

I made a lot of beer money in college “sharing” my Chris Elliott DVD collections with other fans.

[@charlenemack7040]

Chris Elliott has been trying to find you for the last 20+ years. He wants his share of the money you doofus! 😂😂😂💰💰💰🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@MarkKanaster-ev6pq]

Genius

[@richardyoon4209]

Dave wearing a Malcom X hat!

[@robinblackmoor8732]

It is like a car crash. You just can't look away.

[@hoppyandhisholidayhelpers1714]

i'm sure that most viewers of Letterman in 1992 have not seen the Shatner song from1978 and thought this was original comedic material. back in 1992, when we didn't have the internets, most viewers wouldn't know what Steve Elliott was doing here. unless they were some VHS sharing nerd. i was watching TV back in 1978 but i didn't know about Rocket Man Shatner Karaoke video until the early 2000s, like the rest of us.

[@ExtremeBeatlesArchive]

Actually, X is hug and O is kiss.

[@MarkKanaster-ev6pq]

Get a life is without doubt the greatest show ever made if you don’t have the time to watch it you are going to be a fool and I am just clicking the words that come up when you are messaging 😂

[@davidfuller764]

❤

[@DigiRangerScott]

I didn’t realize how much of a punchline Shatner’s Rocketman was. So many years of watching Stewie Griffin’s parody I didn’t know this one existed

[@ericligotke3542]

Paul does a mean Elton!

[@CptGTSpaulding]

When that actually aired in 1992, I was 21 and hadn't _seen_ the Shatner "Rocket Man" performance. (Viral videos then were spread by "Your friend has a copy on VHS for some reason and shows it to you.") So I thought Chris Elliott was just being silly.

[@Emophiliac2]

This was, of course, done in memory of SPEWEY.

[@MSeanMcManus]

Chris Elliott is King of Trolls!

[@dianewinters8628]

That was great😂 Sorry Chris that's a hug hat. A kiss hat would be the circle. Good try though. Love you Dave.

[@RobVespa]

Hope he sent Shatner a check.

[@garymack2069]

👍 & 👌

[@TXMEDRGR]

Comic genius.

[@nathueil1]

Roc’e Man.

[@theblade9024]

spoofing Shatner who did a dramatic version that was hilarious.

[@wannabe4668]

No, he got this idea from William shatner

[@brian19711]

STP Vibes 😂

[@michaelparks6120]

I think Chis's hair deserves some sort of mention asa potential oddity.

[@pray4mojo35]

Just may have topped Shatner’s performance.

[@bluebear1985]

We're going to take a brief pause right now, and be right back with Christopher Walken. You don't want to miss this one.

[@gamma1695]

Don't show Musk this clip, he'll probably go after Dave for wearing that hat

[@evenflowsteven]

Isn’t that the lead singer of the Spin Doctors? 😂 I swear he kind of looks like the guy.

[@kevinmc4500]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@patrickvillers6454]

I was never on board with Chris Elliot I was more the Larry Bud Melman type.

[@therunawaykid6523]

Oh look it’s that guy from the scary movie 2 film

[@chuckselvage3157]

William Shatner did a version of this.🤣

[@IamCatharinemme]

Only guy funnier than Dave.

[@wfk3rd]

Way ahead of his time giving Dave the Elon musk X branded baseball cap. It’s like he’s a time travluh or sumptin’.

[@plaws0]

I was a pretty regular viewer of LNwDL and have no recollection of this so first, thanks for posting. Second, I went back and reviewed the original. I'm sure I'd seen it at some point in the 45 years since it happened but not recently. I thought Mr Elliot's version was a little over the top what with the multiple Chrises ... and then I rewatched the original - it's completely faithful to The Shat's version. Third ... OMG, did The Shat's "people" really let him do that? In the clip I saw there isn't any context beyond it being some awards show, so I don't know if it was *intended* to out-Chris-Elliot-before-Chris-Elliot or it was intended to be just what it professes to be - The Shat's interpretation of Taupin's lyrics. Which is what Bernie Taupin himself actually says when he introduces the performance.

[@11raljr11]

Been a Elliot fan since he jumped off

[@jungastein3952]

Loved Get A Life.