David Letterman on Speaking of Everything, February 21, 1988

[@GregCurtin45]

Fascinating to watch how David Letterman reacts to people he has genuine respect for. This was a much more open and heartfelt interview than the typical Letterman responses. Thanks for sharing this gem with us.

[@sira.scottascot8865]

Howard Cosell. What a pro. I miss that guy. He is fantastic in this interview.

[@ddburrows988]

This was an absolute pleasure to watch. Thank you.

[@rberka555]

Love him or hate him, there is no one like Howard Cosell

[@3ddiagnosis654]

He was Howard.

[@marcyfan]

people who hate him are here for what reason? i'm watching this for the 3rd time.

[@muckrak3r]

This is one of the best interviews ever recorded on video. Open and honest and direct and lengthy and in depth and I'll watch it again after a while.

[@mrmckraken4893]

Genuine. Thats what greats like Cosell and Letterman have in common.

[@MichaelLasotaMusic]

This would be a podcast in 2020's... ha. Such a calm voice from both of them. Dave's voice and vocabulary, and quirkiness never changed. Love it.

[@jeffreyharris5813]

I can't believe this has been up for four years and I somehow didn't come across it until now. Thank you for posting it.

[@rustygoldentv4049]

Great interview with Dave. Within 3 years, he would never give this much of a relativity serious sit down Q&A

[@garylobo348]

Both men had such unique and brilliant commands of the language.

[@js2010ish]

True

[@donniemoder1466]

Yes, they both were great with language, way above most sports announcers and comedian.

[@mpromislo]

@@donniemoder1466 Eddie wzwz CDe me Zac fix eg please fixed

[@geotrick]

Thank you! I enjoyed that immensely. I can still remember Howard announcing the death of John Lennon on Monday Night Football while my mom and I were watching. This show would have been on while I was stationed in Germany w/ the Army. I would have never of seen them. It wasn't till some time in the 90's (late 80's really) that this format came back, or at least that I was familiar, with Bob Costas. Thanks!

[@johng618]

I still have my vhs of this show when I taped it live. Great interview!

[@johnperrigo6474]

I think this shows that Cosell was a great interviewer.

[@krisscanlon1265]

John Terrino it was a big personality obviously and was certainly over-the-top but it was an extremely talented verbose journalist and deserve to have a show of this nature years before. He was an entity that is didn't know what to do with my think he needed to have somebody nurture him in such a way well prior to the incident on Monday Night Football. He was deserving of having some type of fox TV 9 spot

[@bulafritz]

Yeah I think he was in the wrong line of work. Working with ex jocks frustrated him because they were so bad at communicating. He would have been a brilliant journalist or writer. His book ended up pissing off alot of people.

[@chronic2001n]

@@bulafritz Can you imagine the creativity and straight-forwardness from him as a journalist? I think it would have been incredible.

[@js2010ish]

Truly great here, at ease with his stature & genius

[@mjp96]

Not here. Ali, yes.

[@geekay1349]

Makes me have re-newed respect for Cosell. He was brilliant with Ali!

[@funforalgernon]

Oh, just two of the greatest broadcasters ever having a chat. Awesome.

[@tomt6142]

Cosell??

[@coleeandro6110]

Two great men; truly. Cosell’s introduction of Frank Sinatra for “The Main Event” at Madison Square Garden is the greatest introduction of any kind that I’ve ever heard.

[@dandy_griffith]

“Who has the phrasing, who has the control, who understands the composers, who knows what losing means, as so many have…”

[@MrDuds1984]

Letterman was a perfect foil for Howard. This is great

[@murraystewartj]

Cosell was one of a kind. His signature delivery made people think of him as a dumb sprtscaster, but he had a quick wit, a skill at interviewing and a compassionate soul. For the ltter, check out his video bithday greeting to Ali in which he breaks down.

[@Elizabeth-yg2mg]

This is the first time I've ever seen Howard Cosell in action--will find more. Letterman is adorable. Love both of these guys!

[@SOLOHeyman]

10:11 The gist of why Letterman became a success. Great interview, thanks for the upload Don.

[@shanekurenoff5136]

This was wonderful. Thank you.

[@jamesten]

Finally this is posted! I only have a portion of it, having accidentally erased two thirds of it 29 years ago.

[@dongiller]

I first googled to see if it were already up. Found a blog post, but the clips were inaccessible after the person who had uploaded it had his/her You Tube channel terminated.

[@shahoccalifornia7392]

Howard is a phenomenal voice & interviewer.

[@Sloozen1]

Bravo Don! Never saw this interview. Didn't even know it excisted!

[@sira.scottascot8865]

I'm sure that Dave is full of respect for Howard, being a giant of broadcasting.

[@DucksDeLucks]

It's a great sweater. Looks terrific on him.

[@bneide]

Great interview!

[@dianewinters8628]

I always liked Howard Cosell he did a great interview.

[@stephenmilton9998]

Wow , great interview . One of the most revealing . Howard comes across as such a sweet and earnest man , how could one dodge a question from him?? I would be reluctant to talk to Howard , his gentleness would cause me anxiety . I wouldnt be able to be my normal jerk self ...haha

[@jeffw1267]

I don't think he was thought of as gentle during his MNF years. But he does seem that way here.

[@axeman6598]

Damn Don...i have enjoyed tons of your collaborations....but I had no clue that you had Dave and the late great Howard Cowell joking and jausting with each other.

[@pslsmo]

Thank You!!

[@FromTheRoomOfLittleEase]

Jesus, I never saw this one. This is the best of Dons videos I've seen. I'm not sure if it would have the same impact on me back then as now but I certainly would have enjoyed it. With some perspective this goes from feeling like you're being let in on something(s)(that if you're like me you're fascinated by) to a kind of deeply profound and somewhat bizarre archeological discovery like a letter between what appears to be an historical Jesus and a Roman Senator discussing "the situation with the giants" found in some ancient pickle jar. Well... it's that way for me anyway. I can't wait to show this to my ol' lady!

[@dhaley8847]

I hate when people that worked with Howard Cosell talk bad about him! he was excellent! he was the top of his field and a very smart and witty man as well as an excellent interviewer!

[@fasteddie9529]

This is fantastic to see - I've been a fan of Dave since I first saw him with Johnny in the late '70s. Truly one of a kind TV personality - there will never be another like him. It actually almost pains me to watch the current late night shows.

[@johnperrigo6474]

the current late night shows aren't geared toward our generation (58 y/o here). I don't like them either, but I prefer the old Dick Cavett and others of that ilk I can't think of now.

Fast Eddie 95 Jimmy Kimmel is the only one I can stomach any longer.

[@fasteddie9529]

I agree. You can see some Letterman influence in many of Kimmel's bits. I have a ton of respect for Jimmy for the way he honored his hero by not doing a show on 5/20/15, and for saluting Dave when he hosted the Oscars this year.

[@josephtzintzun3870]

Fast Eddie 95 agreed....todays late night hosts are a joke... they dont even come close to Dave or Johnny.

[@maristella287]

@ I cant stand Kimmel. But I dislike Jim the other guy more. Name escapes me.

[@chriszozaski]

This was great!

[@OrangeBang74]

I can't get over the set/backdrop. It's as if the TARDIS had a music room.

[@sillygoose635]

the chameleon circuit loves music?

[@js2010ish]

The puff of smoke covering Dave's head at the opening is especially surreal

[@ArtofComics]

Wow that was incredible

[@stephengiese7549]

I miss Howard. I never thought of him as overly arrogant. I think he wanted this type of life instead of as a lawyer. I think he reveled with this type of experience. Letterman is pleasant to hear. I think he does not take himself seriously. He is shy but is cute about it. Thanks utube.

[@radiobrewster]

How is it that I've not seen this until today?

[@Tom-yd1ur]

Oh, this was great. Thanks for uploading. I totally forgot about "fat tub of goo", lol.

[@MichaelLasotaMusic]

I'd love Dave to talk about this interview some day. It'd be pretty cool.

[@bartstarr100]

Howard was hilarious at all times.

[@vonmoose1]

I like Cosell’s last remarks. Cosell asks for Letterman’s Cuban cigar. Letterman says no laws were broken - he got it from a friend from Cuba via Switzerland. And that friend was Cuban, Cosell says.

[@at1212b]

Castro

[@billshortridgeart]

Great to see.

[@3ddiagnosis654]

Listening to Howard, I was on a game to come on.

[@Zig_Was_Here]

Amazing.

[@MrAhole77]

Damn Don you are a scary talent

[@danielhurley2894]

Keep in mind this interview in 1988 was 4 years before they announced that Jay Leno would take Johnny Carson's job.

[@dongiller]

Just over three years, actually.

[@thomash.schwed3662]

That Leno would call Letterman "anti-comedy" shows how little Leno actually knows about comedy despite making the bulk of his living therefrom. Then again, given the opportunity, Leno would probably have the unmitigated gall to hurl the same accusation against Carson, if he thought he could get away with it. "Anti-comedy"? Seriously, Leno? You might want to look in the mirror when you say that!

[@danielhurley2894]

@@dongiller Sorry I got the timing of my estimate off by less than a year for an event that happened 25 years ago. It's important that you corrected me on this.

[@DaviMourao]

"We're not gonna turn the show into a hall of fame situation, where we're paying homage to their latest TV movies". Hello Fallon, Kimmel, Corden, Meyers...

[@sillygoose635]

yeah, no, more like letterman post nbc and 3/4ths into his cbs run...

[@MrGpschmidt]

Thanks for posting this - never actually saw Cosell as amiable or even a 'talent' (then again I loathe sports so) & it's prescient on Dave's behalf of what the aftermath would be @ NBC (those idiots!) Great find Don; keep them coming.

[@theflorgeormix]

Howard made u feel welcome to a program. Innate ability. Hilarious also. Dave was the best, along with Paul. Lightning in a bottle latenight.

[@poolmannocal6299]

Howard Cosell WAS ABC SPORTS

[@maristella287]

I love David. I wish I could meet a man like him. ( To Marry!) Brilliant!!🙌😇😊

[@TontoEpstein]

Watching this again just makes me sad. Letterman became everything that he claimed to despise.

[@vikings844]

True!

[@TontoEpstein]

I'm a television viewer, you idiot. So that makes me somebody.

[@3ddiagnosis654]

When two legends speak, listen?

[@ericmuschlitz7619]

Note Crispen Glover and Harvey Pekar. In two opposing spheres .

[@richardwrynn824]

Letterman didn't sound enthusiastic about the mention of Leno, and this was 5 years before Jay robbed Dave of the Carson time slot.

[@dongiller]

Actually three years. NBC announced Leno as Johnny’s successor in 1991.

[@eckesg2]

They were friends before the whole shebang.

[@mrn13]

"Eye on Springfield" intro tune

[@v8vrooooom]

7:52 LOL oh gee, *might* be referring to Howard's Toup you think? Dave killin'

[@steelermia]

7:52 damn he was threatening to out his toupee lol

[@murraygibson6996]

good job

[@LNSmithee]

Cosell was a masterful interviewer, but it hard for me to watch this show because the set made my face itch. Am I alone on that?

[@supercrass]

Sweet intro

[@PittsburghMarky]

Giller- I share your love of Letterman big time. But come on! You're denying us Jimmy Breslin? How could you?

[@dongiller]

Uploaded four years ago - kzbin.info/www/bejne/anrWZXqbbJibZrM

[@ItsNotDarkYet]

Are you on Twitter? Bill Scheft, Gerard Mulligan, and Barbara Gaines would love to see you tweet these out. Scheft and Mulligan have been following me for a few years now.

[@dongiller]

I am but lack any sort of presence there. But Gerard, Barbara, and Bill are aware of at least some of my uploads. Someday I'll elaborate. :)

[@BURCHDOGSHOW]

Hey were you in Rolling Stone's Letter's Biggest Fans Say Goodbye?

[@dongiller]

Yeah, I'm the guy in Rupert's place struggling to put two words together when a camera's in front of me. It looks like the video's no longer accessible in the online article but is now on You Tube.

[@senselessbabbledotcom]

Hey Don... Do you have a copy of Dave on The Battle of the Network Stars (which they reference in this interview)? - I've seen clips but never the entire episode. Just Curious, thanks!

[@dongiller]

I’ve captured clips from other YT channels. Don’t recall if those are complete shows.

[@MrVisde]

Letterman is the best.

[@voiceguy3635]

Howard started on radio with "Speaking of Sports".I knew he went into further ventures outside of sports--"Speaking of Everything",being one of them--and he was great to listen to on these broadcasts.Letterman stood toe to toe with Howard and got--at least-- a draw.

[@chloehamid8065]

Don't suppose you have that appearance of battle of the network stars?

[@dongiller]

Chloe Hamid Someone else uploaded it -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3S5pHWqntxmqZY

[@samthesham6854]

Dry humor is my favorite.

[@MichaelLasotaMusic]

Clip of the sports bit he's talking about at the end of the interview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGjLe5KXrc6WjJo

[@mark11967AD]

I think Dave was right in that in that era there was a shelf life to a show, but then that era ended. Dave was kind of the last of Mohicans and all who wanted to stay attached to that era continued to watch his show. I much prefer the NBC years to the CBS years which became ever more corporate, formulaic, and so unwatchable. Though there were some good moments. But the NBC era was special and definitely fun. Even then I watched occasionally not nightly. A little Dave goes a long way.

[@mst3kpimp]

What network did this air on? I watched a shitload of TV and never heard of this show.

[@dongiller]

It was a syndicated show; I picked it up here in NYC on the local NBC affiliate.

[@vidnut67]

This was Cosell’s post-network period; a giant in decline. He had burned just about every bridge one can burn thanks to his book “I Never Played the Game”, which hastened his separation from ABC. I doubt any network would have touched him by that point. He was growing increasingly bitter, and he had grown so toxic that even those who had known him for years looked for the nearest exit whenever Howard showed up at the same restaurant. He deserved a better ending, but he wrote a different one. Sad.

[@MrVisde]

Same. This wasn’t syndicated in the SF Bay Area in the 80s. Never seen this show before.

[@RichardHandal301]

Indubitably.

[@baltsfan]

This is great. So interesting. Reference to Dave and Jay's friendship funny. A shame what famously came later on. Both good in their own right. But regardless of shows ratings over the years, Dave was the smarter and more talented host.

[@voiceguy3635]

Dave must be a split personality,because,everyone calls him a loner--yet,he's as outgoing in interviews like this as anyone.

[@BillVol]

Is there a better interview with David than this one?

[@acousticshadow4032]

So much for Letterman's fear of being yanked. He walked out while still on top.

[@Rob_Kates]

Howard calls Dave the king of late night. What about a certain fellow named Johnny Carson?

[@MrSteelermania]

Johnny was on his way out at this time. Letterman was the new big thing

[@1225KPH]

Carson didn't quit on til 1992.

[@garylobo348]

Who?

[@thomash.schwed3662]

I think it was specifically a reference to the fact that as host of the program entitled "Late Night", Letterman held court on that program (much like a king) for an hour each night.

[@BookClubDisaster]

Why did Dave always wear glasses in interviews but never on the show?

[@Darrin.Crawford]

Howard is a cross between Regis Philbin and Mr Rogers.

[@johnurban7333]

He still likes Jay Leno here

[@modeo92]

I'm glad that Dave seems to have found peace and contentment in retirement as compared to Howard, who by every account I've read wound up a very bitter man.

[@js2010ish]

Alas, 19:01, never a flight attendant

[@davanmani556]

I thought that prank on Bryant on the Today's show was helped by the Today's producer without Gumbel's knowledge. But then again, Dave had a way of persuading. I think he wanted to take a shot at Jane who was her rival when he was at an Indianapolis TV station WLWI (WTHR) and she at WISH. Likewise at Willard Scott, I believe he had inclinations of wanting his job since he did weather and an opp to get with Jane. I don't know if he really liked Jane but I sense that he was put off by her elitism of the men she wanted who weren't up to her standards intellectually and financially. But then she marries Garry Trudeau, as he puts it, " Cartoon Boy" whose speciality is intellectual humor as well as Dave's but he graduated from Yale and Dave from Ball State. Oh, well.

[@dongiller]

One, there was no competition between Dave and Jane. They were not "rivals." They respected each other's talents and each other's shared history in Indiana. That's clear throughout her guest appearances on LN and his on Today. Two, Dave had been consistent in his retelling of the circumstances behind the prank. He had explained it to Jane when she guested a few months afterwards, and she confirmed that it was the Today Show's producer who initiated the idea but hadn't told Bryant. So the "fault" for the entire mess lay with him, the producer.

[@davanmani556]

+Don Giller Rivals in Indianapolis not when both were working at NBC in NYC. On the surface, they respected each others work but deep down, I feel that Dave wanted her but she didn't for reasons I mentioned. Likewise, there is evidence that Indiana folks don't like somebody who makes it big time. Ask John Wooden, Dan Quayle who Dave was very merciless of his mistake on "potato", the Van Arsdales' and Oscar Robertson.

[@dongiller]

Davan Mani Well, I think you're reading into this much more than there was.

[@davanmani556]

+Don Giller Maybe, but the Hoosier rage is there. John Wooden didn't shake hands when he lost to Norm Sloan. Larry Bird took pleasure in creating misery for George McGinnis and Kent Benson. Ask Alex Karras or Michael Jackson.

[@dongiller]

Unless I'm misreading you, I'm not persuaded that one, or two, or three people from the same state help define the attitudes of every citizen from that state. What Larry Bird did has, to me, no bearing on this discussion. We'll have to leave it at that.

[@dsriggs]

7:05 Oh, the irony!

[@ranatlas]

I always thought that Dave's cigar was just a prop to add to the humor of segments shot outside of the studio, especially during the early years of Late Night. But here it seems as though he's a real cigar smoker and enjoys it. What was the deal with that?

[@LeeKav]

He is. He spoke of it a few times (and at some length), being something he is genuinely fond of.

[@at1212b]

He'd smoke the cigar during commercial breaks at CBS.

[@js2010ish]

See Freud

[@RetakeRemakeAlanSmithee]

High Tops 'n Cigars

[@garryhyland2795]

Who smokes and does not bring his own lighter?

[@voiceguy3635]

Dave wouldn't have done "The Tonight Show" as well as Leno did.Leno kept the show as close to the way Johnny Carson did it--a tough thing to do.Dave was great--but it wouldn't have been the "Tonight Show" with Letterman as host. Of course Fallon has ruined the "Tonight Show" anyways.

[@dongiller]

That’s silly. When Allen hosted , it was “The Tonight Show.” When Paar hosted, it was “The Tonight Show.” When Carson hosted, it was “The Tonight Show.” If Dave hosted, it would have been “The Tonight Show.” They all brought their individual style to the franchise.

[@voiceguy3635]

Is this the "Tonight Show" now?No,it's "Waste Time With Unentertaining Celebrities By Playing Infantile Games".This is "Fallon's Show For Dummies".Paar,Allen and Carson would projectile vomit upon seeing the 2022 version of this,in name only,"Tonight Show".

[@dongiller]

All well and good, but the topic that you brought up was Dave and “The Tonight Show.”

[@gongqi67]

I see where Dave got his hair piece direction from now.

[@Van-..-z._-_z.-._-._.-z.]

i like eggs

[@byronwelichko8577]

That is a horrendous hair piece.

[@LNSmithee]

If you watch a lot of TV from the seventies, you will notice that in the pre-Rogaine era there were three choices for aging actors and male performers: Toupees (Cosell, Burt Reynolds, etc.) shaving your head (Telly Savalas, Isaac Hayes, Don Rickles) and just living with it.

[@vikings844]

That's his trademark! Part of his legend!

[@bubbazep01]

L.N. Smithee Sean Connery!

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Dave at his funniest here, IMO. The NBC era was the best. Sad though, that Howard later died of 2nd hand cigar smoke.

[@ungadunga5441]

So sad.

[@kenanthony1970]

This was an absolute pleasure to watch. Thank you.