Dave Calls Out CNN And The White House | Letterman

Dave smells a rat.
(From "Late Show," air dates: 3/29/04, 3/30/04, 3/31/04, 4/1/04)
#cnn #georgewbush #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.

[@DrVVVinK]

This is what made Letterman so great, not only the ongoing, non scripted bits, but when he saw bull, he called it bull, no matter left or right politics, he called it when he saw it.

[@milk-it]

Exactly. Letterman could ride on his own, like Carson.

[@java4653]

This is not true, or he'd openly oppose the war every night. There are way too many wrongs that tv hosts ignored completely. Your post is you pretending you did a great job yourself...and the last few decades shows that's not true for most Americans. Laughing at evil alone doesn't stop it.

[@ryanrusch3976]

I mean it'd be weird if he didn't chase fame

[@MattTee1975]

The fact that anyone could have presumed that the Late Show had such groundbreaking CGI for 2004 is hilarious.

[@135chelmer]

Exactly 🤣

[@peterg5383]

Conspiracy theories are way older than people may think

[@WhatHaveIMade]

CG would not have been required. They were doing that kind of stuff ten years earlier in Forrest Gump.

[@apebitmusic83]

@@WhatHaveIMadehuh?

[@rocketsalad]

​@@WhatHaveIMade Yeah, and they did the effects in Forrest Gump with computers, you doink

[@kstepko]

It’s great that, throughout all of this, Dave was very careful to never make fun of Tyler: his parents, CNN, the White House, and even the president were all fair game, but Tyler “was just a kid being bored”.

[@segueoyuri]

But I mean, it wasn't his fault. He's a kid at a politics event where the President is making an hour long speech and he's not to blame lol just being a kid. But I get some may feel it's weird since today it looks like it's fair game to mock people even if they've done nothing themselves.

[@TomGally]

Yes. One thing I’ve noticed about Letterman since I started watching the archived videos here on KZbin (thanks, Don!) is that he was always kind and understanding to regular people. He made fun of celebrities and politicians, but he was generous and respectful toward members of the general public. An admirable trait.

[@kstepko]

@@TomGally He had a great rapport with children whenever they were on the show.

[@segueoyuri]

@@TomGally something people seem to be losing these days... It's kind of en vogue to make fun of your paying customers

[@kstepko]

@@TomGally Dave came from humble beginnings. Despite his own wealth and fame, he seemed to never forgot what it was like to have to work hard to earn a living. His parents were a florist and a church secretary.

[@petterw5318]

Angry Dave ranting from the desk was always amazing.

[@DrVVVinK]

Agree, these non-scripted bits, either this stuff or the interviews, were always the best. None of the late night host would dare go off script now.

[@rocketreindeer]

The thing about Dave, he's completely natural sharing authentic off-script feelings and it's hilarious. It's like having a funny conversation with a frustrated friend. Other shows more often than not tend to be a bit artificial. I remember all this stuff, but basically no corny canned jokes from other shows.

[@henrikwakman7776]

Dave has grit. You need grit to be funny and capticating.

[@mariedewitt5033]

When he wasn't chasing female employees

[@Zyzzyyx]

CNN, the leader in fake news.

[@hinthegroove9740]

All my heroes are now only on reruns, thanks for everything Dave!

[@falsemcnuggethope]

He's currently a frequent guest on the Barbara Gaines Show

[@chefjeff1366]

This is Dave standing by his writers, and standing by his comedy. Perfect!

[@ArtificialBanana]

I want to see the interview with the kid!

[@leftwrite]

We need Dave more than ever.

[@MrEScience]

Too bad Barbara Gaines is holding him hostage in that hotel lobby.

[@edk2221]

These Letterman stream of consciousness bits were always amazing

[@doneisenbarth]

I don’t blame Conan

[@edk2221]

@@doneisenbarth haha “I hope you’re not thinking of blaming Conan. I mean, in the thousands and thousands of words written about this, who has blamed Conan? NO ONE!”

[@dannyize]

Letterman changed the way people think.

[@stasiandme]

It’s actually boring to find out that a man old as Letterman didn’t figure it out that actually is only one consciousness, and different forms.

[@JayDeeIsMyName]

"Boy did they deny strongly." I laughed out loud! This is awesome. Go Dave and team from back then 😁👏

[@DGot14U]

"Why start now?" That's the funniest comeback Paul has ever made.

[@jBownz]

THIS. This right here is why Letterman was so much better than any other talk show host at the time and still nobody comes close today.

[@realandrewhatfield]

I remember when this happened, definitely classic Dave, and no one doubted that it all went down just like Dave said.

[@gregorysharp]

Gold! ❤ So glad you’re posting so regularly Dave. Keep busy! Much love!

[@WOMENOFTROY]

This is actually incredibly unsettling. It’s one thing to suspect unethical actors in journalism but this glaring example of a news network being told what lies to report is outrageous. Can only imagine how much worse it is 20 years later.

[@Uarehere]

We don't have to imagine. We've been seeing it up close for years now!

[@dee420lee]

I watched Dave from day 1 in Indianapolis and then when he started Late Night With David Letterman in 1982 and finally to his home at CBS with The Late Show With David Letterman! He is a TV ICON.

[@thenegociater3387]

This is one of many reasons why Dave and Norm got along so well.

[@MM-bh7me]

Wow! Dave when he is at his best! What a story teller!

[@kstepko]

Where is Tyler now? I’d love to see a video where he looks back now on his 15 minutes of fame and talks about what it felt like to be at the centre of this controversy.

[@susanmolnar9606]

Now this why I love this channel. Getting to see all those classic Letterman vignette’s. I’m cracking up after all these years.

[@JCO2002]

Man, we need the clip with the kid now!

[@martin_mue]

Dave could rant like a KZbinr even back then. 🙂

[@jamesrowden303]

Yeah, Dave had a type of heightened reality that no KZbinr seems to match. Most of the professional ranters on here seem to be overeager, or have really annoying, whiny voices or both.

[@ajn465]

Dave Letterman. My TV Pal; and Champion of Justice. SALÜT!!!!

[@ericclaptonsrobotpilot7276]

Good timing. CNN just canned their CEO.

[@allendracabal0819]

I'm assuming that was on purpose. The curators of this channel tend to upload content that relates to current news.

[@minutewithmark7564]

Their ratings tanking even more is great news also..

[@rhuephus]

about 19 years too late

[@bobangell1679]

...who used to produce The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

[@ericclaptonsrobotpilot7276]

@@bobangell1679 makes sense. Colbert has sucked since day one. Should have given the job to Craig.

[@dww2006]

This is as funny as “who’s on first”. It’s fascinating to hear and he makes it hilarious. Vindication. Justice.

[@VivaCozette]

This is so funny. I love the way he keeps it going. 😂😂😂 Cute kid was just sleepy.

[@falsemcnuggethope]

Hey, that's the lady from the Barbara Gaines Show!

[@mc.9-]

I loved Dave so much that I had forgotten how badly he could batter a dead horse

[@johncornell3665]

That was awesome and so entertaining. Thanks Dave!

[@squiggy4339]

So, this is what's confusing me.... CNN didn't have the actual footage of that speech? Their only source for that video was Dave's show???

[@terminallygray]

I don't think it would have helped them showing the video to people. They just think they can say anything and get away with it. Like another certain "News network" that starts with an F.

[@janetpearson6467]

Miss you, Dave!

[@jfjoubertquebec]

You know when you drop the ball and then it just keeps on bouncing away from you....

[@sandrasmile]

Dave was and still is the best.

[@porcorosso999]

Justice for Dave!

[@VivaCozette]

Dave please come back to television. I miss you. Oh hell we all do.❤

[@peterg5383]

nope.

[@derekwagner157]

Natural delivery and the spontaneous feel of the outrage was always batting it out of the park when it came to hilarity

[@FrankPoliat]

Battling? Did they mean batting? Like the Clairol announcer used to say, back before ya'll were born, only your hairdresser knows for sure but my vote: unintended. Battle that out of the way. On the other hand... Letterman ABSOLICIOUSLY batted it out of the park!

[@derekwagner157]

@@FrankPoliat far after I was born actually

[@jdhutche35]

What you mean the media has always lied to us? Lol miss seeing Dave every night

[@terminallygray]

Wait....Wait...The media...lie to us ? LOL - LMFAO

[@hutch1197]

The fact that CNN did this was more chilling than funny.

[@emu_warrior]

CNN is a right wing fake news rag posing as left wing to mess with americans voting. I hope it dies like Fox News

[@DanStrayer]

Seems like you could lie your way into a war when a news channel is gonna run that kind of interference for you. Wait a minute!😟

[@Whoknowsuknow]

They fact checked themselves, it's fine

[@terminallygray]

Ever since Trump was president, they do A LOT more fact checking now !

[@margarinetaintedgreen8140]

Just amazing that WH would say such a thing, and that CNN would actually reinforce it - TWICE. A “news show.” Pathetic. Dave was, and still is, OBVIOUSLY The King of Late Night. It ain’t close. The original bit was hilarious and the way Dave used the abject preposterousness of the WH and CNN’s behavior after the fact was typically brilliant and hilarious. Fallon and Kimmell (I hate to say it because I’m a big fan but even Colbert as well), bless their little hearts, are light years from Dave’s galaxy.

[@token555]

Sadly, this type of honesty would never be tolerated in today's mainstream media

[@terminallygray]

@margarinetaintedgreen8140 I beg to differ. Steven Colbert can go toe-to-toe with Letterman on Late night circuit. I mean, Letterman PICKED Colbert to replace him when asked by CBS for his choice. Colbert has class and dignity that the others rarely show. After all, Colbert was mentored by Jon Stewart. The classiest of them all. In those days CNN was a little more biased than they are now, thanks to Trump. Trump thought he had the same kind of sway with news reporters like Bush & Company did. And thanks to Fox News most news shows are now regarded as "mostly entertainment" anyway. It just keeps getting worse and worse. Hopefully someday in the future; our successors can find a way to work together and put petty bickering aside long enough to solve a few problems first.

[@seanbohan9491]

Jack Smith needs Dave on his Mar-a-Lago and Jan 6 teams, RIGHT NOW!

[@ravisbanda]

Absolutely Gold!!! I miss this in late night shows.

[@darkwitness2718]

I remember this one and David was funny with his ongoing rant.

[@dianewinters8628]

That was great, loved it from beginning to end🤣

[@xeniasiles9699]

I thank you for your show

[@jlynn468]

I wanted to see the kid on Letterman.

[@pulo4310]

Dave is the goat. Period.

[@jackharper24]

real fans loved desk time more than any segment.

[@dmajoriu21]

Did anyone else go watch right after this the time when Dave goes after John McCain when he didn’t show up for his shows in 08’? That was the rant of consequence right there 😂😂😂

[@MichaelLasotaTW]

This was awesome. Miss the Dave nightly show. Happy he retired on top. Love his bits with the new podcast bits.

[@plaws0]

THIS EXPLAINS THE BEARD.

[@MrBrandybuck1120]

Bro was ahead of his time with this piece

[@nl5828]

not really. the dubya regime had already peddled lies to the media a yesr earlier about iraq having wmds, as justification for invading a sovereign country (which almost all of the news media failed to fact-check).

[@zora_noamflannery2548]

@@nl5828 - Bill Moyers on PBS was the ONLY one going against the tide. Colin Powell's corrupt son was put in charge of the FCC and had him removed from the airwaves. That apple fell directly under that tree.

[@careymuseiii3523]

I don't know about you. I believe Dave over CNN, then and now! What a great and historic week, Dave gets an apology!

[@minutewithmark7564]

Classic Letterman rant.. We miss the show Dave but happy to see you on other YT channels with the ZZ Top beard.. You rock the beard Dave & keep it going..

[@jspres86]

This was hilarious. Please I wanna see more of this 😂

[@nedwart]

This one's gonna do numbers based upon the title alone

[@paulahawkins3786]

Man I really miss Dave - he knows how to deal with weasels!

[@mjcosgrove]

Really figured this was going to end with a clip of the kid on the show!

[@golden.333]

The timing is always spot on 😂.

[@kstepko]

Is Tyler’s 2004 Late Show appearance going to be uploaded - maybe later today?

[@pinoygal6232]

Now do "weapons of mass destruction"

[@privatepenguin3137]

Dave has always called it right down the middle.

[@ashleybellewchambers9565]

We need Dave back on late night so badly these days.

[@markdaly1648]

Netflix my next guest needs no introduction.

[@markdaly1648]

Dave now has a retirement beard

[@YouChwb]

@@markdaly1648 Looks like Jim Carrey in his wheelchair in "Dumb and Dumber Too".🤣🤣🤣

[@markdaly1648]

I saw one of those episodes when I had a Netflix, more then a couple. The episode with Howard stern was shockingly bad. Of all the people dave met, stern had trump 15 times. And just when stern was about to say something really insightful. Netflix botched that by cutting to the segment.

[@KomradZX1989]

America needs you Dave more than ever! 😂❤

[@jonathanbrown8115]

This is hysterical

[@xeniasiles9699]

I think you do an excellent job talk show host

[@xeniasiles9699]

You show makes i happy

[@ideasforu358]

Did the kid make it to the show ?

[@michaelb9537]

The simple question would be: can you provide a single picture of someone else in that seat vs several minutes of video?

[@DemonsSister]

There was no one better.

[@michaelparks6120]

"Fool me once....shame on.....you?.....won't get fooled again....."

[@peterandolph7628]

At least CNN apologized for mistakes/ lying back then. Those days are gone.

[@bobbyk9815]

I love that this was all happening around April Fool's Day.

[@ivanostry3359]

Dave, I miss your show.

[@henrikwakman7776]

I hear you.

[@terminallygray]

You'd think that they would have put Dave's interview of the kid at the end of this video to tidy things up in a neat package.

[@terrydanks]

As funny as this is, it is a wakeup call. We can no longer "believe our own lying eyes" in this epoch of "deep fakes."

[@StevePemberton2]

It's hard to determine which CNN explanation is more likely. The first question is why would CNN fall for the story that the clip was edited? Yes in general it is a plausible story because comedy shows do edit footage, but it's usually pretty obvious. So part b of that question is wouldn't the CNN producer(s) who produced the segment have noticed that the clip looked real? And then at least done some verification to see if it was. Verification would be easy, just look at footage from another source and see if the kid is there or not. So our first problem here is apparently some amount of ineptness and/or laziness on the part of the CNN producers just reporting what they are told without checking into it. The next and by far biggest question is did the White House call CNN or not. If they did call, and assuming CNN bought the story without verifying it because it sounded plausible, by day two CNN now knows that Letterman is denying it. Doesn't this now warrant actually looking at the footage and determining if it was edited? Again very easy to do just get the footage from a source other than the Late Show. Assuming that the White House did call, and CNN afterwards realized that the clip was not edited, doesn't that make it a bigger story? CNN wasn't exactly fans of the Bush administration. They could show the footage from another source with the kid yawning, and put the falsehood clearly on the White House not on CNN. Although it would still be somewhat embarrassing for CNN that they initially fell for the story. But instead CNN said the White House never called. That's an even more embarrassing thing to admit, why would they say that if it wasn't true? Why would CNN make themselves look bad, essentially covering up for the White House? Seems highly unlikely. Conspiracy theory would say that CNN was pressured by the White House into covering up for them. But that seems a bit deep state to me. I think the most likely explanation is that CNN fell for a bogus story or tip that was called in, and then through miscommunication someone mistakenly thought that the White House had called CNN directly. When it's a choice between stunning ineptness and complicated conspiracy, I generally go with the ineptness explanation.

[@freeadrian1144]

An article by the Columbia Journalism Review supports your conclusion. It references input from CNN spokesman Matt Furman.

[@noneyobizniz8991]

CNN LIED?!

[@Uarehere]

Wow, this was nearly 20 years ago. God, those were better times!!

[@charli-pancho]

Thank you Dave. Sad because I found out CNN is not as honest as I thought and things you see in movies are true. ❤U DAVE!

[@laika25]

Letterman at the top of his game!

[@wrennewman6868]

David you're too good at predicting the future. You're okay. No complaints here.

[@alexlindsey6446]

What a half ass apology from that CNN anchor. What she should have said was "On behalf of CNN, we apologize but we can't tell you the truth on this --- so we're gonna make a hazy ambiguous statement that says nothing -- sorry that we are spinless weasels -- good day."

[@vfbbua]

dave at his true a game these are the kind of storys where he really glows

[@rhuephus]

this is ALMOST like a skit on SNL ... on from "The Onion"

[@suzannefarrington4143]

Makes you realize how Jon Stewart changed the game. His chutzpah was incredible.

[@RZLAND]

I remember it!

[@markdavies9117]

Dave in top form!

[@Tripper1075KZL]

The best to ever do it, wish this show was still on.

[@theoriginaljosiahjocson332]

11:18 Sounds like Buzz Lightyear 😂😂😂😂

[@ChristopherCampbell]

Dave was never better when he had something meaty to chew on and go off on a rant.

[@GardenGirlD76]

It became the gateway to where we are today! lol

[@BKandtheUnderstanding]

Good ol' Lettergate. I remember these times. The nation was on the edge of their seats wondering who would be next. I’m so glad this annual of history has been shelved and behind us.

[@emu_warrior]

It's not behind us, we are suffering from the Bush election "win" since 2000. The world has only gotten worse since that idiot and his fascists got into power

[@gregtaylor7206]

I could’ve watched 10 more minutes of this

[@trekkiejunk]

To whomever controls this channel...Did the kid actually end up appearing on the show as Dave said he was? Because if so, why didn't you include that in this video? You included 3 days of the saga. Why not top it off with the kid's appearance? If he never came on, you should have put a tag at the end, indicating his appearance was cancelled.

[@Dibbin]

Love you Dave

[@GeoMo52]

Boy I miss Dave!

[@sle2470]

And that kid....was George Santos.

[@marktatum2592]

Way to go Dave. 👏

[@shertheunlimited777]

Come on, this was 2004. Maybe CNN has learned a lesson or two about not gaslighting and just delivering truthful news… and maybe I’m the Queen of Sheba.

[@paulrob55]

He speaks for all of us.