Documentary Now! | "David Letterman: Beginnings" with Fred Armisen and Bill Hader

Childhood friends Ralph Masterson (Fred Armisen) and Sam Cooper (Bill Hader) share very special tales of David Letterman's beginnings in a tribute to the comedian for winning the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Tune in to watch the event on PBS, Monday November 20 at 8/7c.
The clip was made by by Seth Meyers, Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, Rhys Thomas, Alex Buono and John Mulaney.
Presenting sponsor of the Mark Twain Prize is Capital One.
On Sunday, October 22, 2017, an outstanding lineup of entertainers gathered in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall to salute David Letterman, recipient of the 20th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The Prize, which is named to honor one of the world’s greatest humorists, was given at a gala performance featuring some of the biggest names in comedy and taped for broadcast nationwide.
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[@oswaldocontreras1507]

"Dave just really liked letterman jackets... His real name is Dave Parka" LMAOOO

[@fezzik7619]

Right. That’s what he said in the video we all watched.

[@awmer83]

@@fezzik7619 anybody want a peanut?

[@fezzik7619]

@@awmer83 he’s very very short on…charm!

[@campsjams]

2:58 the closeup coffee sip of the guy NOT talking is...perfect.

[@bootss5202]

Why is Bill Hader so good at playing jerks and Fred Armisen so good at playing the likable guy?

[@CoolFellaProductions]

Omg Fred can't be not likeable! He played a serial killer in the show Last Man on Earth and he was like the sweetest character on those episodes. It also made him have a scarier appeal, though...

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

Boots S Which is weird cause in real life they’re the opposite.

[@johngabrielmercado7047]

@@BbGun-lw5vi fred is so nice irl tho, it's hard to not like him

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

@@johngabrielmercado7047 I don’t think so. He’s very talented but all his exes have said he’s an awful person. On the Stern show he admitted he was awful to them.

[@JH-lu9lx]

As a native Midwesterner, I am impressed with how these guys nailed the Midwest accent. I never noticed or thought we had an accent until I moved to California and definitely notice it now.

[@Winteramen]

@JDMime Fred Armisen is the master of accents; any continent, country, state, city, to the town! Except for Jamaican.

[@jordanebert3017]

To be fair, Bill Hader is from Oklahoma, so he naturally has our accent.

[@dln.sweeney]

Everyone has an accent, you just don't notice your own if you're surrounded by it

[@raleighsmalls4653]

Cuban

[@dougfromsoanierana]

They said “pop.” 😉

[@2JasonJay3]

Bill Hader's Hoosier voice is the best I have ever heard. I can't believe he isn't from Indiana.

[@JXY2019]

Jason Barr really? I think it sounds like he’s from Michigan. Unless you’re from South Bend or something?

[@MrSteelermania]

He's from Oklahoma so not too far off

[@wolf986]

@@MrSteelermania Yes they share a border......

[@MrSteelermania]

@@wolf986 you'll find a lot of similarities between Southern Indiana and Northeast Oklahoma

[@zoperxplex]

He is just trying to imitate Letterman.

[@sr.chiqitibum8607]

The “That’s not yours to take, Dave!” line is so spot on. 😂

[@kellypatterson2537]

Dave I *need* this...

[@geinikan1kan]

Two legends and Daaave. Armisen and Hader are an incredible team.

[@dimitralavrakas6661]

And better on any day than Letterman.

[@toniroberts8117]

“How would I describe Dave...dry..not funny dry either...a guy who describes things with little else to it.... Who would of thought that would be funny”... Lmao. I love Bill Hadar. That stupid voice of his, and serious face 😂

[@S.Pociecha]

But but but that's not what was said. "Who would've thought that would be something people would like someday?" As in no 'alternative facts'.

[@toniroberts8117]

@@S.Pociecha 😆 I do sometimes not memorize what people exactly say and give my own version 😂

[@S.Pociecha]

@@toniroberts8117, the exact words aren't so important, but keeping the same meaning would be good. I see we're all doing our best.

[@toniroberts8117]

@@S.Pociecha I admit while I’ve watched letterman and enjoyed him, I’ve never been a huge fan and I just haven’t seen many episodes to probably understand what your talking about exactly. “Alternative facts”…. Is that a skit or something Dave did on the show? I honestly just thought Bill Haider was commenting on how weird Dave’s humor is that he’s surprised people thought he was funny 😂

[@plaidawan]

The dude in the barber chair trying to hold in a laugh makes this 3x better.

[@pkune5158]

I was thinking the same

[@robotshaman1779]

This is no joke. My great uncle was on Dave's swim team growing up, at lunch one day they started throwing hot dogs in the pool, he swears they came up with "Will it Float" together!

[@229BlackHat]

That's amazing lmao

[@osmoho7165]

That is a lie I was there with him ! Lying son of a b****

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

Love the barber in the background giving a fake haircut 😂

[@kumarg769]

These two are great at these mockumentaries..funny!

[@Dazlidorne]

I missed this when it came out. I'd watch a whole 2-hour long documentary with Fred Armisen and Bill Hader about Dave.

[@tolfan4438]

Documentary Now is a must watch series

[@scottipippen6554]

"Mike Pence!"- killed me, lol..

[@hunterjenkins11]

So awesome. All I could think about was how Dave's reaction would be to this.

[@sydbarrett5]

I bet he would go "A hee heee heee!" and then he would clear his throat and straighten his tie.

[@masterxyr]

probably laughed his beard off

[@jkta97]

@@masterxyr That beard needs to go, man!

[@anonymousanthropoid]

I have missed bill hader, the man,

[@ontologicallysteve7765]

Anonymous Anthropoid After he left that seemed to signal the downfall and spinning drain spiral of SNL. Hasn't been the same since. He's a comedic genius.

[@danielmancillas5672]

Anonymous Anthropoid me too

[@danielmancillas5672]

There hanging there

[@danielmancillas5672]

Anonymous Anthropoid whew

[@afrovince1735]

We got Barry now, Baby!

[@lindsaygrant1517]

This is all sorts of wonderful

[@EPJamesMacAdams]

Lindsay Grant Damn straight

[@youtubedrifter5594]

Lindsay Grant: Same could be said about your smile 😊

[@lolaromero2417]

Lindsay Grant your all sorts of wonderful

[@jaypers232]

The Meta part about bill hader on dry humor is brilliant.

[@jacksonrandolph6569]

He used to stuff the lead into the wood lmaooooo

[@rocketreindeer]

HA HA HA HA..!! Not mixed messages at all, they're so happy for him while slurping coffee and bitterly staring off into space. I laughed my ass off at this when they did it, and it made such an impression in my brain I had to watch it again years later.

[@sudiptaa6159]

When they did a close up to Bill.. While he is drinking... Typical documentary.. Lol

[@aarfan84]

Omg how do they get through these with a straight face?! 🤣

[@lynnturman8157]

This makes me feel a thousand different things. Only the beginning.

[@jasonmurdoc9533]

“Dave I need this!” Haha

[@akshatah7525]

They are so salty. Lol love it !

[@everkief8650]

I have seen all the documentaries these are based on. I have watched seasons 1 and 2 of "Doc Now" and am trying to find all of seasons 3 and 4. I Absolutely LOVE their treatment of the original material and Bill Hader, Fred Armisen are brilliant/hilarious in almost everything they have ever done. I did a spit take when I saw the Photo of them portraying the Beales from Grey Garden. That was the first "Doc Now" I saw and now I have to see them all. Bills portrayal of James Carville is also a bit too spot on and F-n hilarious!

[@joelbates6499]

"Can you name a funnier guy who *left* Indiana?" "Mike Pence" -- LOL!!! These guys are so great... Starting this video over again :D ...

[@dorian4404]

The guy is getting a haircut AND a Bill Hader character.

[@robstack3712]

Different & Funny, Hader almost morphed into Herb, the senior reporter at the end, classic

[@contactkeithstack]

That's funny my extended family lives in Indiana and at my cousins wedding there were several jokes about how my uncle has all these convoluted connections to David Letterman. He really is a folk hero inthat state.

[@chinookvalley]

"He was the biggest thing to ever happen to this part of Indiana." hahahaha

[@johnnydtractive]

I love that in the school yearbook Dave Parka comes after James Patty. God is in the details.

[@susanschaffner4422]

I went through highschool with David, I don't know these guys. He was bestman at my wedding.

[@wowsuddenlyigtg9439]

why..am i...attracted to bill...even when he’s dressed like this

[@blazejournal]

wowsuddenlyigtg cos you like grandpas

[@meganstacey1140]

Because he’s beautiful

[@fezzik7619]

Celebrity worship?

[@BobPagani]

Repressed homosexuality perhaps?

[@joilisch]

I'm a lesbian, and in love with Bill, so...

[@sweetboo1022]

yeah, 2 legends & Dave

[@Slowdwood]

When will Armeson write a feature length film. He impresses me

[@koshersalaami]

God, these guys are brilliant

[@annm9139]

Fred, gotta love him

[@Datonedudeee]

This is absolute gold!! 😂

[@renodavid]

Super funny. Thanks, guys.

[@Dreyno]

David Parker oh my God. It’s David Parka 😀 No. Wait. Parker. David Parker. Never mind.

[@duermedespierto]

I loved this. So funny....I wish it was longer.

[@lizmagu3189]

Lmao... Miss these two on SNL

[@joshmontes3439]

Born and raised in Los Ángeles but I have lived in Indiana off an on throughout my life and I can definitely say that Bill Hader nailed that Midwest accent. It had a slight hint of a Chicago accent but that makes sense given that Chicago is only several hours away.

[@I_Heart_Hader]

his Dad is from Chicago

[@Lord_Sheshomeru]

These 2 need to do more skits together!

[@S.Pociecha]

They do do more! Look up Documentary Now.

[@michelebartlett3921]

These are all so well done....LOL

[@Kreepyb5]

Freaking love this!! Too busy with kids working etc!! Love ut!! Bahahaaaaaaaaaa

[@ENigma-um8zw]

Fred and Bill does great store work

[@toniroberts8117]

“I’d only watch Jay Leno’s monologue because it was sooooo funny…. But then every time I’d switch to Dave”…. 😂😂

[@Saybleu]

I somehow missed this one ☝️. Love this series so much. Brilliant chemistry

[@TheWalkingDavid]

I️ can only hope to receive such raving reviews as this when I’m old.

[@kristinj3339]

Dave Parka! Brilliant!

[@lindagarland5223]

This was frickin' hysterical!!!!!

[@malcolmrjmcleod]

I laughed so hard at the barber behind Bill Hader during his interview that's using the razor on the "customer" even though the razor is nowhere near the "customer's" head.

[@KeithCarey33]

ohhh, the pencil story. Don't forget Mike Pence ... comic gold

[@atikaseptarini]

4:01 is it just me or Bill does look a lot like young Zac Efron?

[@9265704]

Dave! I need this!

[@joelrepp]

I love this show. These guy are actually actors Fred Armison and Bill Hader. Hahaha!

[@rman2448]

WOW! creative even though it's a random event video. talented comdiens!

[@osmoho7165]

Fred armisens hair is coming out of his soul

[@notrocketscience1950]

how tf did i miss this until now....

[@ZRiceFilms]

This is amazing!

[@Andy-Mesa]

I lost it when they did the laugh.

[@katie4623]

Why does Fred armisen look like Jackie Chan in that "old" photo?

[@bethputnam4410]

OMG!!! I can't 😂😂😂

[@KevinRay_man]

Yeah two legends, and *daayyve* lmao just likes lettermen jackets damn this was funny.

[@blankpool]

3:58 goodness gracious look at that photo

[@BigJohn6060]

Bril!

[@moviesfordudes]

Simply amazing

[@corbelius6]

so stupid funny! Dave Parka!

[@alhutch1798]

I LIVE in Broad RIpple where his mom Lived, Pissed this is so abstract. ALSO not pissed this is so funny.

[@katherineleblanc8094]

THAT'S NOT YOURS TO TAKE DAVEE

[@cutzymccall7675]

LOL the two funniest men on the planet. Comics are my heroes. (Originally, I incorrectly typed in “Comics are my herpes.” I removed it but put it back because I knew these guys would laugh at that. Or at least chuckle. Cause they’re so DRY.)

[@richsackett3423]

BRV is on the morning walk. It's the next neighborhood over from Warfleigh.

[@rickya.t1208]

fucken Dave,still got it. luv this dude. im 53,followed him since the beginning of ..... yep,Dave.

[@meganchwee5501]

This show reminds me of surfs up😂

[@crispy6311]

"David Parka" wasn't in alphabetical order....

[@carthag]

very heartful, this

[@bhaktabilly4669]

Amazing

[@leslieroycroft3569]

Mike pence 😂😂😂😂

[@manelew7482]

Actually Dave got his laugh from me.

[@FAYMprod]

brilliant

[@pacoEXNIHILO]

this makes me so happy!

[@denisespurlock7869]

Hi from Shelbyville Indiana.

[@Kbwintyy]

We need an oh hello meets documentary now sketch pls and thank u

[@davidcarter2720]

Retirement video ... I need to make a funny retirement video for my boss. These two available? Not too expensive.

[@alanademetri390]

What if...Bill and Fred played a variation of Michael and Dwight (or Fred could be Jim)...or Creed. I could see Bill as Creed

[@uleczkakropeczka570]

So cool

[@krock90]

Armisen kinda looks like Jackie Chan @03:57

[@thanefalkner6156]

i love the barber in the background with the mirror. worst hair cut ever.

[@詹淳惠-w2d]

Nice!

[@loln00bsify]

0:20 Is he grinding down a house key? 😂

[@lambrisering2398]

Omgomgomg ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@carolineiscoolest]

omg i love this

[@BaselGaming]

Fred looks like Jackie Chan at 4:02

[@MrUndersolo]

Fucking genius! ✏️

[@ClaraBowInThisLight]

Why is Bill playing old Michael Shannon?

[@tomioka_giyuu_isnot_depres9597]

These guys better be his friend.

[@thelonf356]

When are we getting a season 3

[@malvavisco10]

2019... long time, but we'll make it somehow.

[@michelebartlett3921]

Hilarious

[@jesperschultz2727]

LOOL. This made my day... :-)