David Letterman on Late Late Show with Tom Snyder, November 8, 1995

Dave's second interview with Tom Snyder, his first face-to-face, as the Late Show was in L.A. for the week.

[@MrSteelermania]

Tom snyder was one of the best broadcasters of all time

[@YouzTube99]

@MrSteelermania: Agreed and I like your choice of the word 'broadcaster'. Though he's best known as an interviewer for the TV shows, he was also a highly respected new anchor and radio host on and off throughout his career. Try to imagine any other talk show host or newscaster that versatile. As an actor, not so much. If you haven't already seen it, you might enjoy (?) the beginning and end of *Thomas* Snyder's acting career: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opXUepKonM-NaZom23s

[@jrt9]

MrSteelermania I so agree. I grew up watching him and Carson.

[@Rob_Kates]

True, just a delight to watch. A legend of late night. He made it look easy.

[@vanmoody]

And Dave is right. Tom got the ladies.

[@MM180.9]

He still is

[@leonardstilwell1894]

My word, Tom Snyder was such a pro. The second he speaks I'm relaxed and engaged. And he did it without an audience ... just him, a guest and a camera. Undeniably one of the best!

[@sandraandrews9907]

This a great way to do a talk show. "Later with Bob Costas" was a great one too.

[@erichaynes7502]

He played to his production crew

[@ronniechilds2002]

He cost me hours of sleep when he used to come on after Carson.

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

@@ronniechilds2002 Me too, and blissfully so.

[@Rob_Kates]

@@leonardstilwell1894 An intimate setting with an outstanding interviewer. Johnny Carson didn't like Snyder, don't know why. Maybe since he was a newscaster and not a comic.

[@Valitzu777]

There's just something special about watching a relaxed, impromptu interview where the walls are (mostly) down and nothing is too pre-show rehearsed. Both were an absolute pleasure to listen to.

[@allegrad7132]

Not sure how you've managed to put so much amazing Tom Snyder and other greats up on KZbin but you are a godsend. Watching Tom Snyder interviews has been one of the only things the past few days keeping me going. -sincerely, a very grateful man

[@winonafrog]

Its definitely a comfort 💟

[@darincox6202]

Dave always tried to be a great guest. He excels here

[@christopherwinkler4451]

He hated doing interviews, especially on tv, because in his self-deprecating way he thought he was a lousy guest. But he greatly admired and respected Tom Snyder and gave him his best.

[@modeo92]

When Dave started talking about short wave radio, his whole tone changed. I love how passionate he was about it.

[@singlesideman]

Radio, and shortwave radio in particular, has meant so much to me since my earliest memories on this planet in the late sixties that I use it as a musical instrument in my music. Reason number four million for loving Dave.

[@WTFG78]

I love that Dave isn't just a great broadcaster, but he's also fan of broadcasting. It's cool to be one or the other, but it's awesome to be both.

[@mhmrules]

Not gonna lie, scanning the shortwave band sounds fun.

[@j.davidsemple6988]

I never knew that Dave was a serious short wave radio listener ! I have been passionate about short wave radio since I was about 12 years old. I still have my big old Hallicrafters S40 that was made in Chicago around 1950.

[@Lou.B]

I'm a recent subscriber, and I'm TOTALLY hooked on your Tom Snyder vids. I remembered loving him when I was young, and the vintage has only gotten nostalgically sweeter! THANK YOU!!!

[@ronachten2902]

It's really true that you never know what you have until it's gone. Snyder was such a pro. Now we are left with self promoters or even worse... people who should never even be on television.

[@coajrmusic]

The Letterman brain in its prime. A treat to have 2 of 3 of my all-time late-night guys on together. Of course Johnny completes the triad.....

[@gaoutlaw]

Always liked watching Tom on the Late Late show. I would like for this format to come back

[@thealaskan1635]

C. Dawg Knight I agree. I don't see the reason for an audience for EVERY talk show

[@pibly7784]

Hell, Yeah

[@googoo-gjoob]

and....the TOMORROW show

[@davanmani556]

He was made for NBC.

[@nascarkelly6879]

It’s August 2020... this statement couldn’t be more true. The personal one-on-one interview is engaging and genuine. Completely lacking in late night entertainment today.

[@DouglasMitchell]

This was a fantastic interview. I loved Dave talking about his shortwave radio listening. Tom said it with admiration and love - "Listen, the broadcaster's still in you". David Letterman was the best at what he did because he never lost interest in learning how to do it better, evidenced by the fact that even that far into his career, he listened with fascination to broadcasters across the world in his free time.

[@williamanthony9090]

At 26:56

[@Slickmickyoyo97]

As a 24 year old, Dave looked pretty ancient here at the time. Now that I'm 47 and he is 71 (he is 48 here), he looks like a baby.

[@googoo-gjoob]

the house in which i grew up...used to be bigger

[@steveconn]

The soft lense of the camera helps with the creases. He probably looked alot rougher up close.

[@youbetcha6880]

I loved Snyder. I discovered him in the mid-'90s, when he followed Letterman. Great talk show host!

[@sdot5389]

Everything about The Late Late Show was intoxicating and intimate. So different than anything today or then…long form engaging interviews with no audience. It was also live and not taped, so it had that light night intimate vibe about it. I was a teenager in the 90s and watched it almost every night at 1230 in my bedroom.

[@ElbertDaniel-dw7oe]

I have always been a night owl and it was always great to have Tom for my entertainment. He was quick and I could understand EVERY WORD he spoke.

[@nomadempiretv]

Thanks so much for this!!! Great interview, one of a kind thinkers

[@Lukather5150]

Letterman is one of the most intelligent and witty communicators on television. Genius comedic mind. Damn I miss his show.

[@DSAK55]

"intelligent and witty" is also why many people don't like him

[@christopherwinkler4451]

@@DSAK55 Yep...morons

[@randonceccoli8428]

Watch him on Netflix

[@randonceccoli8428]

"My Next Guest"

[@TowGunner]

The 80s-90s Letterman was VERY enjoyable.

[@JDoe-gf5oz]

I'm glad Dave rejected the phone calls. That was always my least favorite segment.

[@vampirerobot]

This is where it's at. I like how how he pontificates in year 2050. We want him back now. Kudos to the late Snyder and the early Late Late Show... I miss 1996...

[@wadebarnett2542]

2050?

[@23v0lv32]

Two of the absolute masters at work here!!! absolutely amazing. Tom and his leg over the chair ahahaha

[@winonafrog]

“Did you get her a side of the Jello salad, Tom?” 😅

[@mikestevenson576]

Back in the day, I loved Dave's constant digressions and irreverence in these interviews. But watching this now, I'm so grateful for Tom's unrelenting pursuit of real answers.

[@otiscampbell2194]

Boy do I miss Toms voice.thanks for this video.made my night a little shorter.

[@anthonysaturno8265]

Miss Tom Snyder so much. The Late Late Show was a GEM and I thank you for uploading all these clips. Love Dave too and miss his him terribly each and every night.

[@veronaraven3099]

My god now we are subjected to Jimmy Fallon...

[@JSYBen]

Thanks as always for the uploads Don. I really appreciate it. Interested in Dave's comment about his show on the night the Challenger exploded. We all know his 9/11 monologue, but it would be interesting to see how a younger Dave responded to the Challenger explosion. you wouldn't happen to have that show anywhere would you?

[@dongiller]

I do and might put it up in time; he did make mention near the beginning of the show but he was somewhat awkward being in that position.

[@JC20XX]

@@dongiller I'm still interested. Did you ever upload it? Thanks for the great content.

[@dongiller]

@@JC20XX I haven’t yet.

[@geekay1349]

He's better without the beard. this is proof

[@peoplethesedaysberetarded]

Man, I miss Tom Snyder. I used to watch him at university and I remember him chain-smoking and being a very very good interviewer.

[@jonathanstow9272]

Came here for Dave, but wow....how eloquent was that opening monologue?? Tom Snyder was a whole different class of broadcaster, he had that gravitas that most broadcasters just don't have anymore. Something like that opening monologue would never appear on current late night TV.

[@matthewronson5218]

Tom Snyder was an unpretentious class act and excellent conversational interviewer. I'd come home after second shift to his interesting discussion and his guests all seemed genuinely to like and respect Tom Many people will say he was underrated. What they mean is he should have been more prominent, but he did what he did for much the same reasons that I did choosing to work nights. First, there's never an issue with parking and its associated headaches. Even with a reserved spot, you're not weaving in and out in a busy lot or garage. When you are heading in, everyone else of heading out; far less traffic. The big one was that there were no big wigs and their underlings all over. This made doing the same job, and everything associated with it, so much easier. While i got a small stipend for taking nights, Tom may have taken a pay cut, but in return he had next to zero supervision. He could do HIS show, still make a pretty penny and do things his way. That was worth things a bigger salaries can not buy, and Tom knew this. He could have his cake and eat it too. He was well respected in the industry, yet got to do a career and have a home life too. When you have a mega show like Carson, one might as well be married to the show or career. Ed McMahon reportedly dumped a wife and kids because he could not or would not do both, and chose to be whatever it was that he was there for on Carson's show. I always wondered why Johnny had Ed around. To make Carson look better I suppose, because apart from a few zingers now and them, he was a lump on the couch from my recollection. Tom didn't need a sidekick, but his show was far too intimate compared to Johnny's Las Vegas flair, which worked for him very well. Leno was consistently decent, the last decent host of the Tonight show with its legendary pedigree of: Steve Allen, Jack Parr and Johnny. Now, crass noodlehead Fallon reigns, where Jackass meets the Tonight Show. Tom was like a beautiful B side gem, by choice, and that was just the way he liked it, based on comments that he had made about his career. I don't think we'll see the level of class in the likes of him anytime soon, if ever. Same as the first three Tonight show hosts.

[@lenhummel5614]

I think you summed it up very well. Tom Snyder was a great coversationalist. Right up there with Cavett, Paar, and Donahue.

[@matthewronson5218]

@@lenhummel5614 Thanks Len. Cavett was top shelf too, but I did not watch much Donahue, but recall he had a conversational style and would actually listen and try to reason.

[@katiezee2]

@@matthewronson5218 yes I was a night person also, choosing to work the night shift and even graveyard at times. None of those annoying suits and bosses wandering around looking for something to mess with, just because..! ahaha

[@matthewronson5218]

@@katiezee2 IKR? I bet like me, there were times where production was at something of a slump, so the night shifts were cut and the graveyard shift shut down...so back to day shift. Ugh. Having to (try to) do what everyone else is trying to do at the same time. No thanks! "None of those annoying suits looking for something to mess with" says so much in a simple sentence. Others can 'get; that, but it takes someone who'd actually been there to fully appreciate it.

[@katiezee2]

@@matthewronson5218 I was a civilian employee (911 dispatcher) at a big city police dept, so night & graveyard shifts were never cut.. but for a time before permanent shifts, there was rotation among the 3.. god I hated daywatch, (7a-3p) because there were TOO MANY PEOPLE around, all the time ! Plus, had to go to sleep early... gggrrr. After the night watch it was a real treat to come home to relaxing with Dave & Tom.. sure miss them .

[@JGuildersleeve]

Snyder took his mother to the Bel Air Country Club and bought her a hamburger!?

[@WTFG78]

Fries? Fries? Did he buy her fries?

[@jimmydandy9364]

@@WTFG78 lol

[@philiphalpenny9761]

Wish somebody would post Snyder's rare interview with James Cagney, circa 1980...

[@katiezee2]

yes, please !

[@erichaynes7502]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2TThWCdqpxro6M

[@erichaynes7502]

@@katiezee2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2TThWCdqpxro6M

[@jackwendigo6541]

Dave talking about going on after the Challenger explosion is very prescient of the challenges he would experience going on after 9/11.

[@jimmydandy9364]

Nice pun ;)

[@charleswinokoor6023]

One of the nicer musical themes

[@dongiller]

Composed and performed by David Sanborn.

[@dongiller]

Nearly certain not on any Sanborn album, as it was composed and recorded specifically for Tom's show.

[@johnd8167]

This theme should have been on an album, whether one of David Sanborn's, or a Late Late Show compilation (or even both?). There were enough musical guests and interludes that a full album could have been made. I'm sure that old "music rights" excuse could have been or would be trotted out regarding any kind of album release surrounding the show. David Sanborn does just **amazing** work, and I hope I have another chance at another concert or 2 of his.

[@MrGSfan]

The last notes of his opening theme resembles Colbert's Late Show

[@DannyChan131]

How in Gods name do you go from Snyder to Cordon R.I.P. Late Night

[@jrt9]

Daniel Coldbeck from class to trash. I do agree.

[@christopherwinkler4451]

I grew up with Johnny...watched Dave and Tom religiously and was really disappointed when Tom went off the air. I don't watch any of that trash that's on now. Zero.

[@googoo-gjoob]

@@christopherwinkler4451 my list...#1 Steve Allen, 2 Dave, 3 Johnny, 4 Tom

[@christopherwinkler4451]

@@googoo-gjoob I'm a little too young to remember Steve Allen as a late night host, but old enough to have seen him do other things. He was funny as hell. Cool moniker, btw. "I am the egg man..."

[@googoo-gjoob]

@@christopherwinkler4451 even tho dave loved johnny...there was waaaaay more of steve in daves schtick. 'we are all together'

[@eltonjohn3236]

I loved Tom. As I did Dave.

[@ezradickey505]

Fire up the color-tinis! I remember watching Tom back in the 70s as a young pup & through the 90s. Man, do we miss ya down here, brother!

[@ezradickey505]

I remember watching this episode on the air. It was the day before my birthday. What in the name of Mother Snyder happened to broadcasting?!?

[@CCB5er34]

BOTH OF THESE GUYS WERE THE BEST, LOVE AND MISS THEM BOTH.

[@JackSilbert]

Really enjoyable interview, with a rare openness from Dave that you don't hear from him anymore -- the older, too humble Dave.

[@gstockwell5315]

So love the intro music! Powell was not competent, no loss. Wish I had fy money.

[@anthonycutt8854]

Ah, the days when you could still smoke on television.

[@topdollar5336]

It was a "victory" cigar for all his prank calls.

[@miguelsantana4960]

This is 90s,don't could anymore smoking in tv shows

[@bobbiewallace4008]

Anthony City funny you should say that because I saw Colin Farrell on a show (return) and he took out a cigarette and the host said "what are you doing?". He's from Ireland so I guess he didn't know.

[@frank2778]

I dialled the number but no one answered.

[@GDuncan8002]

I'm going to try again tonight.

[@johndillon5488]

Mickey's dining car in St. Paul in the opening!

[@danielrice7234]

Wow I totally missed that! Saw the sign about never closing but didn't see Mickey's. Was in St. Paul only time in my life while working superbowl weekend last year. Was outside that place and talked to a cook on break. He told me history of it and very interesting. Never had the chance to go in but I happen to be going back next week. Thank you for the reminder and allowing me to see it in the show's opening.

[@GH-oi2jf]

John Dillon - I used to eat there when Rose was behind the counter. She was authentic.

[@rnemt3725]

I miss TS!

[@JTsEliteGaming]

WAS THAT THE MERRIE MELODIES 1939 MUSIC BEFORE THE COMMERCIAL BREAK?!

[@zyxmyk]

wow, 25 years ago.

[@BobMori]

Most Excellent.

[@marcusvonunten3050]

Someone who knows the unemployment rate for saxophone players after the 90s?

[@sporkfindus4777]

Tom and Dave were a great partnership, top broadcasters, entertainers, firm friends.

[@kcinks]

The Looney Tunes outro was great!

[@johnnash297]

TS was the first guy to tell you it was a great show and the first to tell you it sucked. He had few filters and that's what made him great.

[@BrandanTheBroker]

I wasn't around for Tomorrow Show, but I was around for Late Late Show. I wish I could have been here for those older shows, he brought out the best of all his guests

[@postatility9703]

As he did very often,Tom brought the best out of his guests.

[@erichaynes7502]

7:52 Dave trolls Bill Wendell's firing, man that's harsh.

[@steveconn]

I enjoy Dave's self-honesty after the initial adolescent yuks.

[@mariaprovkina]

11:58 interesting that they’re talking about a “comedy in tragedy circumstances” as an intellectual equation, because Dave nailed 9/11 better than anybody. So he finally finds out how to turn his humor talent to make people feel better. it's not an easy thing to do.

[@christopherwinkler4451]

I was thinking the same thing. This interview was years before 9/11, and Dave handled that exceedingly well, I thought.

[@christopherwinkler4451]

I love the movie Laura, btw. Own it, actually. I'm a huge classic move fan. I know your post is about the song, which is wonderfully dramatic, but for me it's the film.

[@danielrice7234]

I instantly thought the same thing!

[@satchelconnor995]

I use to watch this show in high school when I had insomnia. I was shocked when he died. I couldn't believe it. I wonder if he had good healthcare. Dave had his cute blonde curly hair still.

[@sdot5389]

Same. But I was a night owl and watched almost every night.

[@Kk-fc5jw]

This is gold.............Letterman is at his prime here

[@sdot5389]

No OJ jokes Dave? No, I left those to Norm.

[@singlesideman]

Shortwave radio is voice of the planet. And Dave was the voice of a generation. And Tom was the voice of at least two generations...

[@QuadMochaMatti]

But it seems that at least in 2024 shortwave radio seems to be withering on the vine, as far as organized "programming" is concerned - aside from the various Numbers Stations and jammers springing back to life, in response to recent global conflicts/rising tensions.

[@singlesideman]

@@QuadMochaMatti I use shortwave radio as a musical instrument. Every technology that matters to me - everything, actually - is being replaced by software and computers and I don't like any of it. As a forward thinking composer and musician who works with electronic media I've wanted to hear my physical album releases played on terrestrial radio. That's not happening. My idea of a fun afternoon was always going to book and record stores on my days off. They don't exist anymore. I use vintage fountain pens but my employer wanted to go paperless - basically I hate every single bit of technology that has been developed in the past several years. I hate the direction that most music has gone in, I hate that no one gives a crap about the arts anymore, I hate that the US has become so intensely right wing in the past forty years that it's trying to become an autocracy. I hate all of it.

[@singlesideman]

@@QuadMochaMatti incidentally, when I use of shortwave radio as an instrument I do not seek deliberate broadcasts, and when I do encounter them I manipulate them heavily with a beat frequency oscillator and processing.

[@goldcanyon340.]

I recorded this live when it first aired! David was in LA taping the Late Show that week. It’s great to see that this is uploaded.

[@therevolutionii7350]

Don thank you so much mate for years of archive. Its amazing and thank you for your efforts and dedication.

[@dongiller]

Thanks!

[@UpstateMediaNY]

Two broadcasters....talking about broadcasting. I miss Tom's show so much. This was prime late night programming.....on radio OR TV. Anyone else notice that the guy on the dump button was caught off guard by Tom dropping a "God Damn It"? LOL

[@katiezee2]

the Looney Tunes music ahahaha

[@drewzuhosky6826]

Snyder would be tape-delayed in Youngstown until 2:05 a.m. It wasn't until Craig Kilborn took _The Late Late Show_ that my local affiliate aired TLLS on network lines.

[@SportsBossMan]

Tom Snyder actually got David Letterman to talk without trying to be funny every 2 minutes. That's a pro interviewer right there!

[@michaelfruchter732]

Thank You For These Great Videos

[@dongiller]

Thanks!

[@b.a.sworkshop]

I really miss Tom

[@breakercassidy6946]

Tom Snyder Art Bell Are two broadcasters that everyone knows about yet no one knows about.

[@thealaskan1635]

what's sad is @ this time less than 9 thousand people watched this clip

[@dongiller]

I'm grateful there are any.

[@thealaskan1635]

Don Giller thank you for putting this up. I wish you could put up all of tom&daves shows.

[@dongiller]

Me too!

[@Danimal77]

Dave did it for 20 more years, instead of 5 or 6.

[@erichhitchcock3368]

Wow, wow. Did I say wow? This stuff is nothing short of awesome to watch and listen to now. I was 12 when I got my first shortwave, and I used to love listening to the BBC too Dave; but you two together was so nice to watch.

[@SciFiArtman]

Really enjoying your collection videos! I was wondering if you might have Sterling Hayden's FIRST Tomorrow Show interview? If so, I'd love to see that!!! Thanks for sharing these older Letterman bits and clips!

[@dongiller]

Sorry, I don't.

[@SciFiArtman]

Well, thanks all the same!

[@CBrolley]

Hayden’s appearance was mesmerizing.

[@JamesKovall]

love snyder the best!

[@glennmarshall4693]

I get like Dave, I listen to a fair amount of radio too, but it was better in the 90s

[@SoUtHMeMpHis]

Better in the 80s

[@SpeakerGregoryDwyer]

Love Tom & Dave!

[@preesi1403]

Toms Elton John interviews were fabulous.

[@culwin]

Hamburger with mashed potatoes? Yuk. Come on.

[@mrjasonwhite73]

This is such a great conversation.

[@johnpunchard8161]

I miss Tom Snyder. Used to watch him for 10 years.

[@andythrush3341]

No one could/did take Tom's place.

[@johnking5174]

14:17 - Well David certainly made up for this by 2009.

[@erik_griswold]

😅

[@dddddadadad1796]

David Letterman was quite sexy! Sheesh

[@nancyjackson3566]

Loved Tom Snyder! From 1978 to the end

[@da_great_mogul]

It was a Tuesday morning

[@sha11235]

It is funny that David Letterman would produce this show, since his Late Night show replaced Tom Snyder's Tomorrow show in 1982.

[@kshinokevin]

Two/2 (late night) talk show legends.. (Tom) Snyder and (David) Letterman (with Paul Shaffer)... just like (Johnny) Carson (with Ed McMahon), Regis (Philbin) and Kathie Lee Gifford ("Live !" in the daytime period); (Jay) Leno (with Branford Marsalis), Conan (O' Brien and Andy Richter), and (for an older generation) (Jack) Paar, Dick Cavett, Larry King ("Larry King Live" on CNN), Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, Dinah Shore, Dick Clark, Charlie Rose ("Charlie Rose" on PBS), James Lipton ("Inside the Actor's Studio" on Bravo) and maybe Richard Pryor. Much love to Joan Rivers, Arsenio (Hall), Craig Ferguson, Bob Costas (the sports guy) and Jane Pauley (from the "Today Show")...

[@postatility9703]

For totally different reasons, Tom Snyder and Joe Franklin made staying up late worthwhile,as Dave obviously did as well.

[@J.B24]

Saying "We Suck" on TV automatically makes me want to watch. I like self deprecating humor.

[@GDuncan8002]

18:12 Tom calls Dave out.

[@hestergreen2031]

I could kick myself for not watching Tom Snyder back when he was on the air. Tom Snyder such a great anchor.

[@TheToltec]

outstanding segment

[@lesleythompson6801]

I just realized how much I miss Tom Snyder. I used to watch him in the late 70s as a teen. He could be feisty then. And he went deep.

[@dianewinters8628]

Great interview

[@sdot5389]

He really loved short wave radio….the internet must have blown his mind when audio streaming came along.

[@nihansen1457]

I could see Letterman as a trucker. My neighbor is a longhauler

[@rnemt3725]

I miss TS!

[@isacece1334]

Dan Ackroyd did the best Tom Snyder...LOL

[@chadlong1109]

I'm too young to have ever seen this show, but I'm curious, because there's a shot of the Minneapolis skyline and a famous diner in St. Paul - was this show filmed in Minnesota?

[@dongiller]

It wasn’t.

[@SHARON.I]

Love them both. Miss Tom Snyder

[@tonydanielkiewicz8264]

What are you doing with your leg?! Lolololol

[@AlejandroGonzalez-eq1gb]

The original Podcast.