Dave's Morning Show Debut In 1980 | Letterman

"The David Letterman Show" debuted on June 23, 1980.
#letterman #morningshow #debut
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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.

[@alive_in_tucson]

I have very fond memories of watching the morning show with my brother during summer break every day. We thought it was the funniest thing since Monty Python. The neighborhood kids didn’t get it at all. I went to school that fall talking about the show. I still remember a football player saying it was “stooopid!” Idk what prison that kid is in now, but I hope he gets his life together and lives a productive life.

[@dongiller]

Fun fact: The folks sitting in the front row, center aisle, seen in the first live camera shot, are Bud Friedman - founder of the Improvisation Comedy Club in NYC - and his family, including his daughter Zoe, who would later work on Dave’s Late Night and Late Show.

[@mattyohe3069]

Also a young Bill Maher dead center at 8:13

[@dongiller]

@@mattyohe3069 Maybe, though I’d like to find a 1980 photo of a bearded Maher first. He has a beard in his 1974 high school yearbook, but no mustache. That certainly proves nothing, though.

[@freeadrian1144]

@@dongiller The "The David Letterman Show" wiki page says that Maher was in the audience for the first show, but it gives no source for that information. With Maher being on Dave's shows so many times and with Maher's high visibility, it seems like somewhere along the line he would have mentioned being in that first audience. But, after an admittedly brief search, I can't find anything to support his being in the first audience, other than that wiki page.

[@dongiller]

@@freeadrian1144 There’s someone who resembles Maher in the audience pan of the final Late Show in 2015. It’d be interesting to wonder if he attended both Dave’s first and last network TV talk shows. Would still want confirmation to both.

[@thelatebrianjones]

I always thought Maher and Craig Wasson had a similar look Recall Maher's father was an exec with NBC Radio back in those days

[@ArtificialBanana]

The audience seems genuinely happy to be there and enjoying Dave!

[@jennimorgan394]

I saw this one day one. I had just been laid off and he debuted the next day or so. It was way amazing for commercial TV and especially a morning show. I knew it had to go prime or late night. It was too funny waste in daytime.

[@brushwoodthicket]

It’s funny how the opening of a wholesome morning show looks like one of his bits, once you know Dave’s style later.

[@jonesphotography5257]

How wonderful it is to see the beginnings of The Barbara Gaines Show.

[@PIXPromosMore]

1:04 - "The Man for whom NBC cancelled 3 Game shows..." 4 months later: "A Man who has been replaced by 2 Game shows..." But it still worked out for everybody in the end.

[@Kylefassbinderful]

What were the shows that were canceled? And the shows that replaced him?

[@VectraQS]

@@Kylefassbinderful Chain Reaction, High Rollers, and The Hollywood Squares were canned 6/20/80 to make room for Letterman. Blockbusters and Las Vegas Gambit took its place.

[@ChuckAtComicList]

This was the best summer off of school ever. His morning show changed me and my life forever. For the better, I hope.

[@dm95422]

Either it did , or it didn't. You had 43 years to figure it out....lol

[@HarloffGoes2GalaxysEdge]

It's just a television program bro.

[@Bigeazy87]

What a time capsule! Brilliant!!

[@LetsBeHonestImAPrat]

All thanks to Dave and the guy who archived it Don Giller

[@rogertootkaylok5716]

WOW ! I've Not observed That Particular Phrase being presented, For A LONG, LONG time !! I've Known about it being used to sort of Hide The things--with other items as well ! Anybody Remember what I am desribing--Oh, this is horrible horrible. I AM usually A Mucho Better Speller/Writer than this. Oh the pain--the--agony ! thank you, See Ya Later Alligator. RDRT....

[@Andrew-Antioch-Kim]

Nostalgia at it's finest!

[@aaronburratwood.6957]

Look how nice folks are dressed and behaving nicely.

[@JR-bm8dl]

I watched this from the beginning too. I remember Rich Hall doing skits with the model of a town with giant pigs, but not the specifics. There were also reports from George Miller who was “still in his room” or something like that. I was so upset when it was cancelled but ecstatic when he came back on late night TV where I watched him for the next 33 years.

[@zelmoziggy]

I remember Hall reenacting a baseball game on a piece of green felt. One of the teams pulled the old pig-in-the-basepath trick.

[@electricmaster23]

It's interesting to see a young and clearly nervous Letterman hold it together here. I feel like the crowd either wasn't warmed up properly or just wasn't ready for his zany style of humour. He definitely broke the mould here, I feel.

[@Nitephall]

I didn't think he seemed nervous at all. Just Dave doing his thing.

[@tdublakeo]

I used to watch Dave's morning show when I was a college student, LOVED that show. A couple of years later Late Night came along and changed EVERYTHING...from that point on, I couldn't go to bed after Johnny Carson any more, I had to stay up and watch Dave afterwards. Then Tom Snyder. Then Linda Ellerbee... and so it goes. Thanks a million for the decades of insomnia Dave♥

[@GeekManagement]

Thank you, Dave & Co. for all of these brilliant trips down the weird and wacky memory lane! Bill Maher & Larry Miller at 8:34 is outstanding!

[@eblackadder3]

I was 17 in 1980, I watched Dave every morning until I went back to high school in the fall. Great memories, I wish I could go back!

[@3581tossit]

as a 13 year-old from the midwest, I loved this show. it was a great summer.

[@richardphysician5640]

From his first joke he was natural. Such a treat to see these clips, thank you. Not you Dave, I'm talking to Barbara and the rest that stayed with you from the start. Maybe you too a little bit, it's still a little too early to tell.

[@ml9867]

Please post every Edie McClurg appearance. She is a real gem.

[@TimothyATaylor]

The people in the audience have no idea who he is, and how lucky they are!

[@Genious.]

8:34 Those 2 know what's up.

[@thechuckjosechannel.2702]

This is where it all started. On this day in 1980. This is what my parents grew up on.

[@kstepko]

I had forgotten that 1980s talk shows used to open with the host standing amongst the audience.

[@coffeeabuse]

I started watching Dave's Morning Show from day one. Never missed an episode for 5 years thanks to the invention of the home VCR. Dave's show reminded me of Martin Mull's show that ran 3 years earlier: Fernwood 2 Night.

[@lukpac]

5 years? The David Letterman Show was on the air for 4 months.

[@coffeeabuse]

@@lukpac Right. I intended to say that included the eventual transition to the 12:30 AM show on NBC.

[@mannybravo237]

R I P Dusty 'The American Dream' Rhodes 7:13 at left

[@davidsharp3110]

Where it all began! I remember seeing this right after I graduated from high school in 1980 and just thinking how funny this guy was. He was taking the television business as we knew it and making a big joke out of the industry. I was laughing with Dave. I got his humor!

[@graxjpg]

The “David Letterman Symphony Orchestra” is one of my favorite names for his band. and the fact that they were so not rock and roll makes me love it. also, i wonder if donna from san antonio is still here in town, she was quite the fox here lol.

[@graxjpg]

@@robertgoerss will lee is also from here originally, a thousand to one still leaves a lot of room for coincidence since dave did this show for 33yrs.

[@graxjpg]

@@robertgoerss dave is fantastic. will lee was the bass player for those entire 33 years if you didnt know

[@johnb1150]

I was born in 1980 so Dave's hosting career had been going as long as I'd been alive til he retired in 2014 when I was 34, now I'm 43 watching this for the nostalgia.

[@rockindudefromthe80sss]

It's too bad Paul couldn't get up that early in the morning.

[@mackstewart4203]

Al takes a stumble at 6:14!

[@sandybiltz2476]

Classic David Letterman! This was just the beginning! As a fan I'm thrilled to see the start of his career.

[@kstepko]

You never get parsley as a garnish in restaurants anymore! Those were the days … salad days, I suppose you could say.

[@redimade]

this is great, im in australia and fell in love with daves style of hosting around 1993 when dave went to cbs and one of the networks in australia was affilliated with cbs so we got to watch the late show every night back in the day, ive always heard about the old morning show, but could never find any good quality content online, this is gold

[@teeveeparty]

I need closure on the breakfast situation!

[@HappySnoutHour]

6:16 Did anyone else see Al trip and fall as he was going up the stairs to leave?

[@lindakaye7935]

Those housewives just weren't ready for all that Dave had to offer! I hope the person that made the decision to give him the late night show got a bonus!

[@douglasjohnson4382]

I remember when this appeared during summer vacation. It blew my 8-year-old mind. "What am I watching?" I asked myself.

[@davecongalton2858]

This makes me smile. Big fan of the original morning show, but had never seen this before. Classic.

[@davidellis5141]

What A Great Set ! 😆 🤣

[@robatsea2009]

The show that netted David Letterman his first TV Guide cover, but only in Canada. Coincidentally Valri Bromfrield helped launch "Saturday Night Live" on its debut episode in 1975.

[@twlightzone2065]

Thanks for posting this-I hope you post more from his morning show !

[@bettyveronica9880]

In high school, the other girls had teen heartthrob photos in their lockers…I had photos of Dave and Johnny. 😊

[@johnnyballenatl]

Dave’s NBC morning show was originally 90 minutes, but trimmed it down to 60 minutes after almost canceling Wheel Of Fortune (then-hosted by Chuck Woolery). In the end, the ratings just weren’t there (especially opposite Love Boat reruns and The Price Is Right), but The David Letterman Show would be rewarded with an Emmy. The rest would be history when Dave got a second chance…this time on late night. (By the way…prior to the network swap in 1980, WSB - Atlanta’s NBC station at the time - decided to run ABC’s daytime shows while WXIA - then with ABC - carried NBC daytime including Letterman’s show)

[@gorillashop337]

I wish the full show would be featured.

[@davegofstein801]

Wowzers! Please give us more of this!

[@michaelpohas2608]

Remember this well... That coffee run would require a $50 bill today

[@oceanwoods]

Such a unique and defining personality, since the beginning!

[@4k-os]

Thank you Dave... so good!

[@ninestories2]

Wow! 😹 So this is the legendary morning show! I love it so much 🖤

[@squiggy4339]

It just seems like you don't see stuff this funny on the air anymore. Dave was very funny up through the early years of the Late Show.

[@AlanDavidDoane]

He's funnier now than he's ever been.

[@mhmrules]

WHOO! Greetings from San Antonio! :D

[@christopherbaadenfotografi2304]

Discovered the morning show as a young teenager on a family summer vacation in a fairly remote area where the only two TV choices were watching the GOP convention all day/all night and whatever was on NBC.

[@charlespatrick8650]

think I was in NYC the week before, was just a kid, but I know it was in June of 1980, wish I would have been in that audience

[@11sequence]

I member the morning show. Dave has never changed. Funny from the start

[@rhuephus]

Dave hasn't changed much either ....

[@Walter-Anderson]

Ah, the "ill-fated" morning show. I always wanted to see this. Thanks for uploading

[@kevbev1524]

Now i get a full perspective of David Letterman, its all making sense now 😊

[@robertgeist3266]

I found this show as an early teen and my mother hated it. I was hooked.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

2 eggs, homefries, toast and juice for 70 cents? ah, those were the days.

[@rocketreindeer]

Super interesting. Love the opening montage. It would be cool to have some cheerful, dorky morning comedy again.

[@shoWbitz]

7:13 Dusty Rhodes ❤🙏

[@Recivdit]

I had no idea Edie McClurg was associated with Dave on this show...wow!!! She is a treasure!

[@lorip.1110]

This. Is. Awesome.

[@pauld.172]

Paul couldn’t get up that early.

[@todddowning5820]

What was this Stoner Morning in NYC? The most laid back morning show ever. It's a wonder why it was ever canceled

[@ltsgoyanks]

"Fat chance Al..." god he's comedy gold that Letterman

[@KungEMuller]

That was how David Letterman's national talk show career began. It took him a couple of years and a timeslot change to be taken seriously, though. Oh, and it also took a new producer and a new director.

[@stationminute]

I'm sitting here wondering if Dave's favorite movie really is Viva Las Vegas, because honestly, that movie is awesome. Elvis, Ann-Margret, and race cars! How much more entertainment can you pack onto one screen?

[@ScientificGuy]

Awesome!

[@MichaelJShaffer]

Is that Bill Maher and Larry Miller in the audience at 8:34?

[@kstepko]

I would have missed them if you hadn’t pointed them out!

[@deputay]

Yay! What a keen surprise!

[@stormbringercoming8105]

My 6th grade English teacher used to play that in his classroom. Don’t know what it had to do with English, but it was the best class ever. Letterman was the best until he got the CBS gig. He was the anti show.

[@robwinder4218]

"Excuse me, waiter. Can I have some more parsley?" I'm going to have to try that.

[@henrylee8510]

Rare. I've watched Dave since HS in the early 80s. Never seen much of this. You can see the genesis though.

[@JoshColletta]

It would be wonderful if we could see full episodes of the morning show! No clue what the rights landscape looks like in regard to that, but it's not like the Peacock is making any money off of them.

[@SaintMartins]

The Award for "Most Thickest New York Accent Ever" goes to...0:01

[@JoseTwitterFan]

"The man for whom NBC cancelled three game shows" Peter Marshall in shambles.

[@infowarriorone]

Classic Dave.

[@michaelstein7850]

Promote that security officer now

[@veyger1970]

His odd humor continued into beardhood.

[@squanto2]

I haven't seen this show since it was first broadcast. This is HILARIOUS!

[@GPSjammer]

CAN I GET A CHEESE DANISH

[@m1t2a1]

I was 18. Summer just started and my summer job didn't start until eleven. If I was up that early. Turns out it takes a good chunk of the crew of a USN destroyer in dress uniform to get Dave's coffee. While The World's Most Dangerous Band/CBS Orchestra plays Anchors Aweigh. Learned that yesterday.

[@daveandreahoward8203]

Whoooo, that Donna was hawt.

[@KingpinPadre]

Light years ahead of its time.

[@marktatum2592]

Way to go Dave. 👏

[@AA-gt1ge]

Anyone catch Bill maher @ 8:34? The guy beside him looks familiar too, I just cant place him.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

I think I had heard about this show, but never saw it. You can see the beginnings of what he was to become on NBC / CBS.

[@westleywest7259]

You know? From watching this, It amazes me that they gave you another show.

[@rhuephus]

could say the same about you ... but then, you never had a show to begin with .. orc

[@wrennewman6868]

I used to watch his morning show. I was 12. During the summer.

[@mediascribble]

The guy in the audience when Dave showed the "All you can eat" photo looks like Bill Maher.

[@ronflatter1235]

It is.

[@sandrasmile]

Great video! 👍🏼 Poisonous Venezuelan snake? 😀 I'm from Venezuela 😉 Dave has always dressed well 👍🏼

[@terminallygray]

Back in the days when you could get overpriced coffee and orange juice for 7 people and still get change for $5

[@privatehand]

It's a shame they never got those microphones fixed. I kid! I kid! I kid because I love.

[@trekkiejunk]

There's a joke most young people will not get. Parsley. When i was a kid, it was commonly used as a pretty garnish in restaurants. But almost no one does that anymore. Maybe no one. If you find parsley now, it's actually used as an herb or spice, or cut up in salads. It's nice that parsley has risen away from a joke.

[@Hi_tv_king]

Very entertaining

[@GardenGirlD76]

Awe!!! This fun show was only made for the cool night owls. To hip for daylight. So adorable to see youngster Dave!

[@der22672]

While this was a valiant and innovative effort for morning television, sadly it didn’t click with viewers. David Letterman was more suited for late night. And I’ve been a fan from the beginning. Oh, he mentioned his hair, now people, (including me), are asking, what’s up with this guy’s beard? 😊😊😂😂❤️❤️

[@okcmaxk]

1:13 A young bearded Bill Maher on the far left!

[@MeMe-td1ye]

Show could only get better from this point

[@RichardHandal301]

Wow.

[@raykoonce5474]

wow 43 years ago...

[@artrogue4150]

Remember loving the Morning show, but not much more. :) The satire of talk shows in general was awesome. Dave's career would fly away from this.