Tributes to David Letterman, Part 30 of 31: Tom Hanks 1984, 2015

To commemorate the 5th anniversary of Dave retiring from late night television (his last show was on May 20, 2015), I've put together a series of "first and last" appearances, the latter paying tributes in their own ways to the last giant of late night (h/t Jason Zinoman).
Part 30. Tom Hanks
1. April 4, 1984
2. May 18, 2015

[@ronniechilds2002]

As a HUGE Letterman fan, I have to say Hanks is consistently the best guest he ever had. He's not even a comedian, but every time, he is very funny and entertaining.

[@stephengiese7549]

Dave knows what questions to ask and tom knows how to tell the story behind them. What alot of fun and the stories he can tell. He is so animated and funny. Thanks!

[@35diamondgirl]

I love Tom Hanks for several reasons, not the least of which are his many appearances with Dave--he seemed to understand and play into David's sense of humor from the start. Two entertainment giants.

[@hallesdad]

God … going back to that sheet of paper again and again … one of the great bits

[@PIXPromosMore]

So here's a Story: Many years ago, I came across several dozen old VHS tapes at a Yard sale; they had reruns of Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Newhart & Here's Lucy from overnight Broadcasts on WNBC-TV in New York c1984. Sure enough, at the beginning of one of those tapes was the incomplete Tail end of Hanks' first interview, followed immediately by a lady who would blow "Smoke Bubbles". Sadly, I lost about 95% of the tapes to various floods (either Irene or Sandy), but I actually posted the Hanks interview on an old YT page that no longer exists (nor does the digitized video)--the cool part was when Bill Simmons' old website "Grantland" wound up posting it and getting about 100K hits overnight. It's fun to look back.

[@Eggmanontheair]

"STOP BENDIN' THE SHAFTS!" - Hanks, Letterman's last NBC show... hysterical interview.

[@dongiller]

That’s here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmTPcnlopsqMiqc

[@SaintMartins]

R.I.P. ....oh wait i just read the video description. Note to self...always read the description first ! Mr Giller explains everything there.

[@samsungtelevision695]

Don, the video quality and editing are so good on your uploads it blows my mind. I always wonder, are you a citizen superfan archivist or associated with the show somehow? Or prefer not to say? Regardless, excellent content as always!

[@dongiller]

Just a fan. Never financially associated with the show. And thanks!

[@samsungtelevision695]

Don Giller Well you’re doing a great service to the legacy of the show. Being 40ish now there’s a ton of the 80s and early 90s material that I missed at the time because I was too young or otherwise occupied. Thanks to your diligence I have been able to experience that stuff and have become kind of a hardcore Letterman fan as a result. I’ll leave it at that but thanks again for your work.

[@K3vinK]

What Samsung Television said.

[@khunopie9159]

Dave categorizes The Donz as The MegaFan

[@paulcolbourne9112]

@@samsungtelevision695 im in your camp. Too young to watch the first years and now getting to watch some of the best late night tv ever.

[@EarthdogGFX]

Pray for tom

[@langdonalger9219]

Earthdog BIG BROTHER FAN he and his wife Rita are expected to make a full recovery. In the meantime, we send them our love and best wishes.

[@paulcolbourne9112]

Don Ive got a request for all Brian Regan appearances, the second most guested comedian I believe.

[@heaw]

Don I hope you're staying healthy

[@dongiller]

Thanks. I’m trying to. And you as well.

[@dougherendeen3241]

"He Knows You're Alone" Never saw it, but: Budget: $250,000 - Box office $4.9 million. Not a disaster, but doubt the cast saw any of the dough en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He_Knows_You%27re_Alone

[@goldengirl5165]

"The uninvited" sounds like a great title for a thriller/horror flick.

[@eltravo2112]

I wish Tom and Dave could have talked about his other movie then, Bachelor Party but it wasn’t released until June 29, 1984.

[@pon7630]

Bro why did you post this i thought he died. DONT DO ME LIKE THAT!

[@dongiller]

Nobody reads my descriptions.

[@Ilyathe2nd]

@@dongiller I tell ya, you don't get no respect, no respect at all. It's a tough neighbourhood.

[@kevinperry9719]

Wow. Tom's ears have gotten huge.

[@jelton73]

Anyone know the song Paul Staffer’s band plays at the end of the video as the 2015 hanks interview ends??

[@dongiller]

“Runaway” - Del Shannon

[@WEPDRabbitEarsTV]

Roustabout, Roustabout! (I know, wrong ep)

[@JD-jc8gp]

I don't get Tom Hanks. Here he is on a talk show... funny, witty, great timing. Then I see his Twitter and it's the lamest thing in the world. Why.

[@rayrayfad3654]

Damn, Don. Despite description, a grim title considering.

[@arobsz]

My bumper! 11:05

[@dongiller]

Elaborate?

[@v8vrooooom]

C'mon Don he's alive!!! You nearly killed me!

[@dongiller]

No one reads my descriptions.