Pete Hamill on The David Letterman Show, July 8, 1980

[@rebeccaromanchuk1355]

David’s nervousness slipping through shows how much regard he had for Pete. A wonderful interview-I had no idea who Pete was when I was 12 and saw this when it first aired (discovering David’s show was a highlight of my summer) and I’m grateful to have the chance to see it again now. Thank you, Don.

[@JakeMabe1]

Pete Hamill was the closest thing to a real-life hero I had as an adult. (I was in newspapers for 16 years before I became too sick to work.) I sincerely appreciate this clip, Don.

[@OhSankYouDoktor]

Pete Hamill was a mensch! I wrote him a letter when I was in my early 20s and trying to get my first book published. He sent me a beautiful letter from his Horatio Street apartment (I have it but it's in storage but I think it was handwritten) and he told me to keep writing, move on to the next project, and not wait for editors to make decisions. Met him briefly at a book signing - he personalized two books to me with unique inscriptions and answered a question. Just a true inspiration and one the biggest influences on my writing.

[@le7516]

I'm reading his book "Loving Women" and it's so heartwarming and descriptive. I'm sorry that Mr Hamill has passed. I will be reading all of his novels.

[@cortneyperfume_madness480]

Whoa!! Thanks for posting. Long time Dave fan. This is the first morning show of his I've ever seen.

[@dongiller]

I’ve uploaded other shows in full, plus a collection of short bits.

[@bauertime]

Always loved Van der Graaf Generator.

[@TasteBudJunkie]

Pete's book : A Drinking Life brought me here.

[@Cjga1114]

Rest In Peace Pete!✝️

[@merlinsclaw]

Fantastic. Thanks, Don. 💙

[@ronachten2902]

Wow, folks used to have conversations on television? No silly music bed underneath or quick edits? This is like finding treasure in an archeological dig.

[@TANTRUMGASM]

He helped tackle and disarm sirhan sirhan , and attended Regis High School in Manhattan, the school Regis Philbin is named after.

[@spuzzlightyeartoo]

The music WAS incredible in the 80's. Thanks Pete.

[@BenBrislawn]

The 80s was definitely my favorite decade of music.

[@BenBrislawn]

There is a really great HBO documentary about Pete Hamill and Jimmy Breslin. When newspaper columnists were the voices of the city. If Pete Hamill thought the 1980 election was bad, I wonder what he was thinking about this year's election before he died. Good God. Also, good for Pete for including the third candidate because now people and the media can only count to two pretending anyone else doesn't exist.

[@jimsarge3id359]

Fast forward to 2020

[@Veronique487]

Yes 80s music was very good, unlike the trash that comes out nowadays. Very valuable words from Pete in this interview, still relevant today where we work hard to barely pay the bills and feed our families.

[@plaws0]

I caught the bit where Hamill mentioned Ali and it being "terrible what was happening" ... huh, what? From en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali: ``It was around this time that Ali started struggling with vocal stutters and trembling hands.The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) ordered that he undergo a complete physical in Las Vegas before being allowed to fight again. Ali chose instead to check into the Mayo Clinic, who declared him fit to fight. Their opinion was accepted by the NAC on July 31, 1980, paving the way for Ali's return to the ring.'' I don't know how it would have affected his life one way or another but given what we learned in subsequent years it's clear he should never have been allowed to fight again. Our hero, Dave, was a good interviewer even then. Thanks, Don!

[@bluesisblood1754]

Pete wanted Ali to retire because, like many boxing fans, he was concerned about his long-term health if he kept fighting. Ali lost to Larry Holmes later in the year, and once more in 1981.

[@CharlestonHestons]

Evidence that there has probably never been a time when presidential candidates are respected. Today Carter and Reagan have a good deal of respect.

[@jsrecords2023]

I noticed the watermark, does WWP have all the morning shows?

[@dongiller]

Most, not all.

[@KBTime]

My memory could be fuzzy, but I seem to recall they had 83 of the 90 in their archive in full.

[@dongiller]

#KBTime They have 84 of the 90. I’ve since acquired one of those missing. There may be more; I’ve not given up hope.

[@pronemanoldbutyoung5548]

Horrible camera angles seeing Dave’s arm and coffee cup fly by

[@amit790]

Was Pete Hamill related to Mark Hamill?

[@dongiller]

No relation at all.

[@MostlyBrenda]

No, I think Dorothy Hamill. Pete could do a mean sit spin. ( I'm just kidding 😀)

[@FlockOfHawks]

Pete , not Peter - note to self : read the full title before you open the champagne ! ( fine episode anyway )

[@KBTime]

Funny he mentions that the movies weren't doing much business that summer... Airplane! was in its first week of wide release, and later that summer would see the Caddyshack and Smokey and the Bandit II. Other than that, though, it looks like a pretty weak summer at the box office

[@michaelleighton6879]

Geez, talk about quaint, ancient. Who's the third mouse, btw? Was that the year of a guy named Anderson? No matter. Frankly, Hamill comes across as rather naive. His politics were honest, of course. I'm just an old Breslin fan, anyway. And things worked out rather well for Ali as a hero for subsequent generations.

[@dongiller]

Yep - John Anderson.

[@michaelleighton6879]

@@dongiller Thanks. It took me several minutes to half-remember the Anderson part. Use of "mice" by Hamill was brilliant, I must admit.