David Letterman’s Life as an Empty Nester: “I Spend a Lot of Time Googling Symptoms”

[@NevadaBoss]

A bittersweet moment when Dave sends his best to Dana Carvey (without explaining why), Dana just recently lost his son to an overdose. A class act from an American original/treasure.

[@jackiec859]

Oh, no! That's heartbreaking!

[@istdochallesegal3427]

Their greeting to Dana was endlessly classy from both of them, and let's hope that the heartbreak of outliving one's child does not get added to Dana and Dave's shared experiences list!

[@boneuhfide]

Artfully played off as broadly referential to late night TV by both, those are two pros up there.

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

And as fathers themselves, how devastating that might be. And fans of Stephen and Evie would know about Stephen's loss. His father and brothers. Named Peter and Paul ! Catholics there! In the plane crash years ago.

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

Don't say things like that! It has happened in Stephen's life already. You DO know about his father and brothers, right? They died in a plane crash.

[@ElectroOverlord]

You can tell Dave is just having a good time, that makes me happy.

[@acenda-r2d2]

Lessons from the Master. His delivery of that washroom joke is a bar most comedians never reach ... What a class act!

[@fitshamer]

Very classy to mention Dana in his time of grieving. He is one of my all time favorite comedians, and it hurts me to know the pain he is suffering right now.

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

To lose your child after 32 years. Heartbreaking! And Dana always seemed a kid.

[@chuyocaca4153]

i have never known what is like to lose a son of a daughter! so i won't go there and say something like i share in their pain will however pray that Dana finds comfort in knowing that he had him for 32 years! and that he will always be alive in a father heart!.

[@fitshamer]

@@chuyocaca4153 Oh, you're right... to say I truly know his pain would be false, because I haven't gone through that either. I should clarify that I am a huge fan of Dana and an Avid listener of his podcast and in some weird way I feel like I know him really well, almost like he's my friend even though he has no idea who I am. I am very close to his son's age and it is easy to imagine my mother grieving over my tragic death. I can only imagine how much more complex it must be to not only go through such an event, but to grapple with the complexity of being a public figure in the meanwhile. My love goes out to Dana and his family.

[@travisfox8898]

This was my favorite segment of the night. Dave genuinely saddened with his son being off to college, Stephen allowing him to tell a somewhat random story that leads to one of the biggest laughs of the night. Thanks so much for giving us this beautiful hour of television!

[@danburnes722]

Very relatable to many of us, and Dave started his family very late.

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

Yeah, he is rather old to have a college age son. At least he can pay for it! That is what happens in American show biz. It consumes your life.

[@bluceree7312]

Genuinely didn't understand the joke. What was the yellow rod? The key to the men's room? or what he telling him its none of your business basically? But I wanted to know, what is the yellow rod for?

[@_marzipan_]

@@bluceree7312 When you go to a public rest room in the U.S (think gas station or similar), the key is often attached to a large object so you don't forget to return it - or steal it.

[@bluceree7312]

@@_marzipan_ Ah Ok. Thanks.

[@jolynnhill8502]

I miss this guy a lot. When my son was born I would get up at night to feed him and watch Johnny Carson and is he was off I would watch David Letterman. They were my nighttime friends while I was feeding my newborn. Loved it!! My newborn is 41 years old now...

[@leora_in_london]

My mom used to do the same. I am now 30 😊

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

And off to college too, right?! :)

[@rillest75]

I'll be your new nighttime friend if you need one.

[@ilovegoodsax]

Same here. My only child was born in February 1982, only a week before The David Letterman Show premiered. I would also watch Carson and Letterman while up late feeding my newborn who's now 41. I genuinely felt sad when Letterman did his last show.

[@believelandheightsbelievel5631]

David Letterman still ties us all together. For that, we are forever grateful.

[@TheKrispyfort]

When your children become adults you then realise how many eternities can fit into an instant ❤

[@cannibalbananas]

So true!! My daughter just moved out this year, and I had a very rough few months leading up to it. It never feels like you had enough time, tho in the moment, it does.

[@jaredco907]

What does that mean? Really, another silly saying that sounds deep but really just nonsense

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

Kinda like Make America Great Again... Drain The Swamp. The Deep State.

[@boatsfra1]

Not many people can make me cry laughing like Dave can. A national treasure.

[@fortheloveyoutube]

Hands down without a doubt, one of the very best Colbert Late Night’s since he first took over the show! Thank you, CBS! Thank you, Colbert! And THANK YOU, Dave! You still remain the very best host of all time! Yes, even better than Johnny!

[@1marianne]

Love Letterman so much. His departure left a hole in my life and I miss him. So great to see him with Colbert.

[@jhousekey100]

I went to see Dave's show live not long before he gave it up. He seemed tired of it and was kind of just going through the motions. Fortunately his only guest that night was Bill Murray, and Bill certainly breathed some life and joy into the show. It's nice to see Dave now enjoying his life. He gave us so much over the years.

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

After thirty years between NBC and CBS, he probably had enough of it.

[@LlyleHunter]

@jhousekey100. The story he’d told about why he was retiring from his show when he did about calling the Audubon Society to identify a bird that he and his son Harry had seen over the previous weekend was hilarious and very true “Should I have the responsibility of hosting this enormous late night show if I’ve spent half of my day trying to identify a bird, if I’m just phoning it in?” was quite hilarious and yet very honest of him. Merv Griffin’s reason was very similar when he realized that he was paying more attention to Sophia Loren’s cleavage than paying attention to what she was speaking about when he’d asked her a suggestive question about her cleavage and knew that it was time to hang it up. It’s good to go out when you’re still popular enough to be remembered as a giant in your field than stick around longer than you should. Unfortunately for Johnny Carson he left after the worst year of his life and he left because he was in great emotional pain having lost his best friend (Michael Landon)and his son Richard in the same year. It tore him apart and he didn’t survive much longer himself only having lived another three years.

[@SomeGuyInNevada24]

Actually Johnny announced his retirement prior to the death of his son and Michael Landon by a few weeks (though Landon had terminal cancer at that time). In addition, Carson died in 2005, almost thirteen years after his retirement.

[@Ebbywebby]

2:01 "Salve." Always one of Dave's go-to comedy words. Love it.

[@michaelelliott3209]

Dave's timing from setup to delivering the punchline is still perfect. LOL

[@marcelogaea1064]

Thank you, Stephen Colbert.

[@zom8680]

As someone who took care of their aging parents i knew what the yellow rod was the moment he mentioned it, but just the way he told the story i was hooked on every word

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

I didn't get that...

[@RobertJohnson-bj5lk]

That was an absolutely fantastic long setup for the punchline. Hilarious😆

[@melanies.6030]

Um, the restroom key?

[@0HARE]

Whoa, how awesome is it to see David Letterman on late night TV again!? Thanks, Dave, and thanks Stephen. Wish we could see the band’s performances on KZbin, because they’re AWESOME!

[@cw6043]

"don't have children, it's not worth it" lord I'm dying here elrond

[@janeltranmer2284]

Dave! Tremendous! We love you here in Toronto. Fantastic to see and hear from you again. I could sit and listen to your stories for hours. Thank you for being so generous tonight. Thank you Stephen!

[@rm9338]

❤ David , he still has it .

[@mcillancadfish]

I've been an avid fan of David Letterman since the 80's in NBC, 90's - 00's in CBS, and now in Netflix in his specials. This was truly something amazing! Thank youbso much Stephen Colbert for making this special! Now I'm going to copy this comment and paste it on every part of this video 😅

[@kevinsummers1055]

So great to see Dave. Thanks Steven.

[@TomWagemaker]

Started watching Dave on his daytime show, and stuck with him through NBC, and onto CBS. Dave was a genius!!!

[@susanclark5260]

Yes! I watched his daytime show too!!

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

Me too! The morning show on NBC (I still remember the theme and opening montage!) then the first night of Late Night. All the lights getting switched off outside but a light on up on the sixth floor. And what a pleasant surprise when they cut to 6H and Paul Schaffer was there! His new gig after SNL!

[@JamesOfEarth]

Here I am watching what appears to be part 3 after viewing parts 1, 2, then 4. Sure be nice to have easily been able to watch the whole thing in sequence. Much love to Dave!

[@phillachance7899]

He's still the best at it always a great laugh with David

[@pikayell]

Dave is as entertaining as ever!

[@blogz]

Hes so dadgum good at it.... phew! The pharmasy bit..... its sang like song with rythm and melody and its just nice.

[@davebartosh5]

Really nice of both of them to shout out to Dana during his tough time.

[@kstepko]

This past Saturday, Colin Jost was holding up a sign that said, “WE LOVE YOU, DANA AND PAULA” during the ‘good nights’ on SNL. 💔

[@LindaC616]

​@@kstepkooh, I missed that! Touching. Particularly since Dana's son was 32....you must reach point as a parent when you think they're ok...

[@shortsatire5669]

Worst that can happen to a parent to lose a child.

[@nl5828]

Dave’s son is in college??!! Wow, time flies! I still remember the show where Dave showed a picture of his son when he was born.

[@lashendawest7509]

We love stephen colbert and david letterman

[@DNTXPCTMCH]

This is such a sweet moment in history

[@felicitousfeline9956]

When you’re a parent, the days are long but the years are short.

[@NelsonVlog66]

Condolences go out to Dana Carvey on the loss of his son. A parent's worse nightmare.

[@SerenitySharesStuff]

I attribute David Letterman for pulling me out of a very sad time of my life. Laughing. Thanks David

[@kitskivich]

How very decent of Letterman to send coded sympathies to Carvey. That choked me up a bit.

[@turkeybowlwinkle4440]

I never thought much about it, but as a senior, I do spend a lot of time googling symptoms.

[@iPerryL]

Damn .... Dave still got it ! great joke hahahahah

[@charlesbarstow319]

Dave is in rare form. He should never have retired-- I like him now better than ever!

[@D_A_Marv]

I’m watching this at the time Letterman used to be on and laughing all out loud like back in the day. I miss him on late nights!

[@sidewaysdesign]

Since seeing Dave doing interviews in his recent show, I've been struck by the remarkable warmth and generosity that simply was not there in his earlier career. I'd be curious to know whether it’s mellowing with age, or more that he feels unburdened by the challenge of staying at the top of the late-night game.

[@shawnuel]

@@agprz 100% That is EXACTLY what I was going to say because it is what Dave would tell you. And has told us before. I think having Harry was also a BIG turning point in the maturing/mellowing process as well.

[@SceneComparisons]

he was just playing a bitter sarcastic David character before. now he is just him

[@0mongo0]

With the late night show, he had 7-10 minutes to talk with a guest that is most likely there to promote their latest book or movie or show or album. With his latest show, he has 40+ minutes to talk with a guest of his choosing, that isn't there to promote anything.

[@mypal1990]

Man I'd love to see the extended interview between these two! There's always a story when Dave is around.

[@NelsonVlog66]

The extended standing ovation which was edited for broadcast.

[@guardianofthebrick6491]

Dave has just made me cry over the poor Carveys

[@shawnuel]

Hell, I started crying the moment he walked out on stage!

[@NancyPower33]

That pharmacy story is classic Dave! It's parallel to "what you don't see is scarier than what you do see - what he doesn't say is funnier than what he does say, he leads your brain to imagine the funniest thing for yourself! Great interview. 😁

[@MAC-op5fc]

Dave's laugh is the best.

[@dr.jaytong]

His comedic timing is still on point 🤣🤣🤣

[@MrSufiankassam]

Could come back tomorrow with no prep and still be the best doing it. Goat.

[@salvadorrosas7018]

God bless Dave.

[@brendanobrien8198]

Living legend, a master of the comedic arts, and he makes me laugh every moment he’s on tv

[@peterjonas4971]

No one was funner than Letterman in the 80s.

[@cuzned1375]

Dave still has that instinct. He doesn’t go to CVS to pick up “a prescription” or “medication”, silly! No, he’s there to get “the salve”. 😆

[@TheGreatAtario]

I also would have accepted "unguent"

[@melanies.6030]

That busted me!!🤣

[@andradas9688]

I am not an American, but since I lived in the US for many years, I cannot thank him enough for the fantastic entertainment he provided to me countless nights before going to bed. It was the ONLY thing I watched on TV, btw (and some Conan O'brien before the Jay Leno saga). This somewhat self-centered intro is just to say that the CVS joke is absolutely brilliant!!!!! Thanks Mr. Letterman, you are a Global treasure.

[@patchvonbraun]

The day I took my son to college, I came home and wept like a baby. Having kids is both the most challenging and rewarding thing you'll ever do....

[@melanies.6030]

I think of poor Dana...you get them raised, out on their own, and think they're home free at 32, and then....😞

[@patchvonbraun]

@@melanies.6030 it’s a nightmare scenario that haunts me. One of my kids is estranged. I worry about her constantly.

[@voiceguy3635]

Rewarding to some--not to others.

[@williamhealy2473]

Leno once said that Letterman was the master of word choice. “Salve” is the perfect example here. Dave delights in doing this and has for 40 years.

[@salmanghani5972]

Letterman is the original and so comfortable and in his element. His style is the same as Colbert's.

[@veno8mm]

@1:15 I thought that was Paul Shaffer's laugh into a guest cameo.

[@CraigMaxwell-gz3vw]

The plastic rod story proves that Dave’s still got it 😂

[@bagofnothing]

Please help me understand it. It went over my head and I've spent the last hour online looking for it.

[@boneuhfide]

@@bagofnothingi think the implication is that the rod gets inserted into the rectum and somehow is manipulated to coax out some shit.

[@swedish_malin]

@@bagofnothing The joke is that you think the rod is to be inserted somewhere to help with "going to the bathroom", but after a pause it's revealed that it was just a stick that the pharmacy's bathroom key is attached to, for customers to borrow. 😉

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

A plastic rod...? A lot of time I don't "get" American humor!

[@HardPen-jj5nl]

Many business establishments lock their restrooms but low customers to use them. However one must request the key to gain access. Very often the key is attached to a large, ponderous object to prevent people from taking it permanently. (Sidebar: great scene in Steve Martin's "The Jerk" satirizung this. As for the insertion of a "bar" for medical reasons I'll leave that up you to figure out.

[@paulcanis6297]

"So I go over to CVS to pick up the salve..." Has not lost a single step, this lunatic.

[@asifyoucare]

"we run alot of errands or talk about running errands.." reminds me of my parents

[@Dee010s]

Hilarious story by Dave, omg

[@sargentrowell81]

The best interview I've seen from Colbert's tenure on the Late Show. It feels a bit sad that it had to be the previous host to get such a good interview. Though anytime David goes and does any interview it's always great.

[@trevorcarey3997]

First comment. love Stepen and David, so great to see him back as guest.

[@curtislindsey1736]

It makes me feel so old that Harry is off to college!

[@cherylb2008]

Love Dave❤️

[@dianedewindt5083]

I love Dave's usage of the word, "salve", because there is not one person on Earth who cannot identify with lining up at a pharmacy for some kind of soothing ointment that will relieve the myriad of symptoms, be they caused by fungus, bacterium, virus, lack of hydration, or the body's own immune functions, that can appear on one's outer layers. Everyone needs a salve. Plus, the spelling and pronunciation of that word is funny.

[@tinas_hotdog_sophie]

I can't believe Harry is already off to college.

[@FloraWest]

Right? Makes me feel old somehow.

[@YodatheHobbit]

To all parents out there is just wanna send this message: As a child, we care, DEEPLY. We care about you not being alone, but we also want to make sure our lives don't end before we have a chance to take control of it.

[@herrwabbaloo937]

“So I go to CVS to pick up the salve…”

[@RoySFord]

Classic storytelling! Much like doing standup on Johnny Carson. Dave still has it. 😂😂

[@ruggedland]

Had the best laugh for a while. Thanks Dave

[@davidtaylor111]

Googling symptoms.. I've done that since the beginning of the internet

[@lashendawest7509]

Good morning stephen colbert fans

[@jeffs6090]

All these videos and time he was on here, I was really hoping for a top ten list.

[@debbiej.2168]

Loved the pharmacy story!

[@beckstar78]

the salve oh man that made me laugh...my dad was a big proponent of salve

[@BettyBeige]

That pharmacy joke is pretty good.

[@urban8461]

so much starter person than back then i like serious him a lot of more this days also legendary show host great person

[@DScribez]

This MAN is Genius

[@old_lady_young_heart]

When my mother married my father, she met his grandmother, who was a tiny little woman who had immigrated from The Island of Rhodes. My mother asked for advice. Great Grandma said, "Don't have children. It's not worth it. You sacrifice everything for them, and then they grow up and move away. And they aren't grateful. They only come to visit you, maybe once or twice a week!" 😳😝

[@TheMikester307]

Saying "Hi" to Dana Carvey, Pure class.

[@NewMessage]

I should have seen that punchline coming.. I really, really should have... 🤦‍♂

[@Derfboy]

Same! Even Colbert's face said everyone should've seen it coming. lol

[@YukimiSong]

Dave still got it.

[@RAD6150]

I generally skip the interviews, but Letterman on here and Winkler on Kimmel is a phenomenal night in guests.

[@hugonunes5088]

Dave’s channeling Norm

[@TheMikester307]

My gosh! Letterman looks like a young George Bernard Shaw!

"Going to the bathroom" haha.

[@kym3883]

🥰 ✨ Legend ✨

[@valeriemulholland4282]

I really miss David Letterman.

[@sebastiannemeth-ramirez2160]

Dear whoever posts these: number your damn clips. Signed, everyone.

[@mlineberry25]

I miss Dave. He's such a gift.

[@jayradtank4376]

That poor guy with the plastic rod. Here is he, leaving CVS, and he's like "Holy crap that's David Letterman in line at CVS! Playitcoolplayitcool." Days later, he's like "Oh look! Letterman is on the Late show! I'll watch that!"

[@quantum_shhhhart]

1:34 im laughing as I cook my lady Brussel Sprouts.. .

[@veggigoddess]

He really really dropped the ball and being a comedic actor because he is just so natural at it

[@FloraWest]

Oh, he's not a good actor at all. Look up some of his few acting clips. He was a fantastic stand-up though!

[@agitatedmongoose]

What are you talking about? He was in mainly sketch comedy as an actor on shows he helped write before he got his own show and then after he got his show he mostly plays himself. The only other acting he did is he had a ski mask on as a theif for a tv show he produced and also a ridiculous bad-on-purpose cameo in Cabin Boy for Chris Elliot and a cameo in Chris Elliot's TV show who was one of his writers on Late Night. Other than that he was in like 3 things as a guest spot or an extra before his Show. Mork and Mindy. Fast Friends. And Peeping Tom.

[@FloraWest]

"Wanna buy a monkey?" Dave in Cabin Boy@@agitatedmongoose

[@67Jimbob]

Still got it

[@mattcody4933]

Shit, I remember when Harry was born! I fucking love you Dave!!

[@wayneg.8232]

Letterman could show Colbert a thing or two about comedy and being funny.

[@_Pauper_]

🥹 seeing Dave on a late night TV. Niagra Falls 😭man

[@sunnydaysatl]

My parents do run a lot of earrings-too funny.

[@lisas5211]

Ole Dave's still got it!!! LOL

[@carlstanford7607]

A class act. Poor Dana

[@paulhammons7077]

Eyes and cheeks. 😅.. buts it's still fave.. Dave;) ty

[@onlyiforgive5083]

Class act mentioning carvey