David Letterman Interrupts Today Show

David Letterman interrupts the Today Show
KZbin user Adam Abrams has uploaded this incident from the Today Show perspective. Apparently he found the clip on a VHS tape. • Letterman interrupts T...
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[@jamesanthony5681]

I remember that Letterman episode and Bryant Gumbel was pissed off at Dave for that bit.

[@foleynj86]

Fortunately they buried the hatchet a few years later. Bryant Gumbel was a curmudgeon for a long time but I think he has lightened up over the years.

[@DC-ys4ek]

Letterman was a worthy successor to Ernie Kovacs and (most especially) Steve Allen. Miss both him and Paul Shaffer

[@petesmitt]

The Today Show producer Steve Friedman contacted Letterman's producer Robert Morton and asked that Letterman interrupt the Today Show filming with something wacky.. Gumbel was angry at the wrong person.

[@TopStrikerMaverick]

I always lose it @ the impromptu “I’m not wearing pants”

[@Kohntarkosz]

I think this was on the very first episode of Late Night With David Letterman, which I watched, as a rerun, on New Year's Eve, 1985 or 1986, I think.

[@denparrish]

Yep, this is when Dave was actually funny. I loved this stuff back in the day. There's one where he kept calling a traffic bureau to report what he was seeing traffic-wise - hysterical!!!

[@severe28]

OMG what a great moment! Thnx for uploading this.. Thanks for the memories Dave.

[@JCNDCIII]

Miss him!

[@jamesroach8841]

I love how you can see that Jane is cracking up.

[@AdamAbramsVancouver]

knickknack07, there very much WAS a Today Show perspective and it was audible. I saw it. They were on air during the prank, in fact they were interviewing the stars of "Miami Vice" by remote connection with Miami. How do I know this? I HAVE THE CLIP. And I've posted it, along with explanatory notes and subtitles for Dave's banter! The "Today Show" side of a legendary 1986 Letterman prank

[@rick9565]

All the writers of that era have moved on, Chris Elliot, Merrill Markoe et al. These were quirky irreverent creatives who will unlikely be outdone. Hats off to the Late Show of the 1980's.

[@sonnstarr]

I remember Bryant Gumbel was angry. He sent word that he was not pleased. Some time later he came on Late Night to talk with Dave. I believe it was the episode where he was wearing shoes with socks. It bothered David and finally he came out with a can of spray paint and painted socks on Brian. That was great!

[@moncorp1]

Back when Dave was gold. Before he turned into a crusty old curmudgeon.

[@pigurine]

Pauley and Gumbel thought there shit don’t stink Love the way Letterman cuts Them down I heard Gumbel wanted to beat him up.

[@Pleaselikemycomment1]

I could see Conan doing this but no one else does this kinda thing anymore in late night.

[@daveygivens735]

Anyone remember Letterman's morning show?

[@2007Johnson]

he should do this every show

[@temasongu]

The guy that turns his head at 1:16, is that Gene Shalit?

[@cameraman655]

Those NBC years when Dave was unhinged, you never knew what comedy gold he would conjure up. When he went to CBS, he was far more subdued, I quickly lost interest.

[@tropicten]

Dave mistakenly thought that the show had to “grow up” when they moved to 11:30 to appeal to a wider audience. Carson never had to pull these kind of stunts. But Johnny had a subversive, devious sense of humor that made his show work even if it wasn’t outlandish. So Letterman overcorrected when he went to CBS and the show was honestly a lot less funny. After seeing what happened to Dave, Conan ended up defying NBC executives years later when he moved to the Tonight Show and refused to water down his comedy.

[@KnickKnack07]

There was no Today Show perspective. Not only could they not hear what Dave was saying (they just heard some noise but could not make out what was said at all), but they weren't even taping the show at that point. You can tell from the movement around the set that they were not taping yet.

[@tkclawson3336]

knickknack07 not true

[@JacobDragyn]

I really want to see the other end of this, what was going on during The Today Show.

[@jedijones]

Right. This video does NOT show the Today Show's perspective as it claims.

[@enriquesinghjr]

Genius... Absolute genius!

[@mudhens4ever]

@mikokat - I've wondered that, too. I don't even watch him anymore. He seems old and tired. When he sits at his desk and talks, he looks down. I think it's kinda sad.

[@Beatlemark21287]

Jane Pauley

[@imienazwisko9188]

I wonder, who was supporting him.

[@RealTime88]

I watch clips of Late Night when David Letterman hosted in the 80's. Very funny shows. I think he inspired Conan O'Brien in a way. And in turn they both inspired the new host Jimmy Fallon.

[@matthaufan97]

she gave Dave the bird

[@AntshKhel]

Dave is awesome.

[@chomsky88]

Man, Dave had balls in those days didn't he? He can still be funny but only when he's pissed off. e.g. When McCain blew him off to do another interview his ranting and sarcasm was reminiscent of the old Dave.

[@jedijones]

He certainly became motivated to bash Republicans and conservatives above all else in his later years. Yawn.

[@AccordionManiac]

@DrLanceAngry That NEEDS to be put on youtube!

[@8aba_Yaga]

letterman is a god

[@jebsievers]

@JacobDragyn Me too. Anyone here have access to the Today Show perspective of this?

[@mikokat]

Why doesn't Dave do this kind of stuff anymore?

[@wongleebruce]

Don't forget folks when it comes to Bryant Gumble it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Huh Bry?

[@deanfortun968]

Man I miss him and the show!

[@peopleskarmasquad1042]

This was back when Dave was really good.

[@Bentom86]

One of the greatest moments in television history...and it is just as funny now as it was on that night in the summer of '85. All of these comments of "back when Dave was funny" are really idiotic. For those 40s or older, how many of you are still up to your old tricks you did in your 20's & 30's? No one should expect a 68 year-old man to still do go cart races in the hallways. Even Carson was dumped on by critics in his final years for getting old, especially as Arsenio became a hit. Just proves that you can't please everybody I guess, but Letterman was the grand voice of a generation. He spoke up for all the underdogs of the world, and he took on those who deserved to have their pompous egos put in check, including his own bosses. A Midwesterner who represented the very best of New York City, and a true broadcaster who deserves the same legendary status as his great predecessor & mentor. In the words of another NBC icon from long ago, "thanks for the memories".

[@christinemarie4486]

Couldn't of said it better myself. Dave Letterman was so ahead of his time. Super intelligent, playful honest and hilarious. He was doing things that none of the competition would have tackled. He is definitely legendary and icon of late night comedy!

[@warbot4017]

I think it's less about getting less funny as they got older, and more about getting less interested in some guests as they got older, Letterman and Carson both got the "Yeah yeah yeah plug your stuff" look in the later years, but when a guest really challenged and played with them they lit up. This was also true of a bit they could really sink their teeth into. They had no time for people or bits that they had to hand hold everyone with.

[@johnnyballenatl]

Screaming Mimi's Actually, he was 38.

[@gregwatson8219]

Perfect example y Asshole Dave didnt get Tonight show!

[@gregwatson8219]

If he wasnt a comic, Dave been a psychotic threat to Society

[@SteadmanSmith]

Where is the video from the other side of the prank?

[@marcsman229]

he doesn't do this anymore cause he's the only one in the ed sullivan theatre, i think.

[@GaryW48]

I believe Bryant Gumbel was very P.O.'ed at Dave Letterman because of his stunt.

[@bobolob]

@mikokat He did for a while at CBS and his ratings basically tanked and Leno's skyrocketed. He does do things like this to some degree though.

[@davanmani556]

It's all about Jane.

[@cameraman655]

And where is she now.....?

[@hgates101]

Hilarious!! What a legend....

[@gregwatson8219]

Folks, This Y he Did NOT get Tonight Show!!

[@whatheyyo]

Whos that woman next to Bryant Gumbel?

[@johnjacob757]

when Dave was on NBC the show was the best. CBS, not so much. All watered down.

[@BezosAutomaticEye]

don't suppose anyone has a tape of the today show from this event? to get another persective?...ha

[@christinemarie4486]

Omg. Hilarious!!

[@rha101]

It was so much better then. Now, it's routine.

[@Tamaslammer]

Haha... He killed back in the NBC days...

[@bishopaz]

oh yeah! AND I`M NOT WEARING PANTS!

[@crazychickenhead]

lighten up dafrigidlady

[@Volvodriver4life]

hahah thats a classic!

[@ptl44]

Back when Dave was still trying to make a name for himself and gave a shit.

[@lilsnoopie]

LOL

[@themurph2000]

That stinkin' one hour earlier. He has to play it so conservative now. I miss irreverent Dave. Damn him and his fatherhood and his heart bypass anyway!!! (only kidding. :-D )

[@dachickenlady]

I like Dave generally but this strikes me as much more rude, disrespectful and unprofessional than funny. What he did here was not much different than people making faces or gesturing wildly behind a reporter reporting live on location. I know I would not appreciate someone coming to my workplace, uninvited, and trying to make me look like a fool.

[@moaningpheromones]

Dave knows who can take a joke. He wouldn't try this with you in case you cut him.