Fan Request: Johnny Carson Lets Dave "Stump The Band" | Letterman

Fan Friday Request:
"Hi, can I please request a clip from around November 1993, where Dave calls Carson to ask for permission to use "Stump the Band" ... the clip has lived on KZbin for many years - but the audio dropped out of it at some point. Would love to hear Johnny's line "The mudslides are putting out the fires!"
Thank you!"
Matt Larkin
(From "Late Show," air date: 11/11/93)
If you have a clip you’d like to see, email us at [e-mail]
#johnnycarson #fanfriday #letterman
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Welcome to the Letterman KZbin Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. And for those of you who like Miscellaneous, you may very well find some Miscellaneous here.

[@TheDarkSatirist]

The fact that Johnny Carson made multiple appearances on Letterman and occasionally sent Letterman monologue jokes and did not appear once on the Jay Leno Tonight Show speaks volumes

[@HardRockMiner]

That's because Jay Leno screwed Johnny over, and that's exactly why Dave and most of Johnny's fans never liked Jay. Personally, I can't stand him.

[@nishihundan1257]

@@HardRockMiner Stop spreading your BS nonsense.

[@HardRockMiner]

@@nishihundan1257 - Those are facts. I'm not surprised you don't understand what facts are.

[@markjackson6431]

@@nishihundan1257 Jay Leno’s manager was trying to strong arm Johnny out his spot. she kept asking the executives to force him out and put in Jay Leno. have we all forgotten the lead that she planted (with Jay’s knowledge) about how NBC wanted Carson out and Leno in. Carson knew Leno’s camp had something to do with it despite Jay saying he knew nothing about it…..but he did. and before you start with the “that was his manager not him”, who does she represent? JAY! everything she did, Jay was completely aware of. after all, it was his career on the line.

[@lindamattioli7943]

Johnny know talent

[@JonathanHudgins]

"The mudslides are putting out the fire." What a line! Carson never lost it.

[@LuckyBaldwin777]

That's classic Carson.

[@kowalski5599]

Carson Letterman Conan - the true order of succession.

[@JoelDavies-bi5mp]

I wouldn't even put Conan in there.

[@kowalski5599]

@@JoelDavies-bi5mp that's nice, go make your own comment with just Carson & Letterman then.

[@JoelDavies-bi5mp]

@@kowalski5599 thanks mate 🤣

[@KungEMuller]

Johnny Carson did so many nice things for David Letterman. Now, that's a good friend. Am I right?

[@chadb.749]

"The mudslides are putting out the fires." That's such a Carson thing to say.

[@Norvo82]

Letterman brought the Stump The Band bit back for a while after Carson died in 2005. It was actually a little emotional seeing Paul wear the Carnac hat again, like a piece of late night history was continuing in some small way.

[@ongogablogian8568]

Letterman actually did the Stump the Band segment much earlier. About 1986 there was a writers strike and, for lack of material, Letterman did STB on his show for the first time (Johnny was still doing it at the time). I know this because my sister and friend were contestants on Letterman's inaugural STB. Somewhere in the family there is still a VHS tape of it floating around.

[@lorip.1110]

Carson may forever be Dave's king of late night, but Dave will always be mine. Happy birthday!

[@markjackson6431]

why not call Johnny the Emperor of Late Night so we can call Dave the King of Late Night. see they both have an honorific title. everyone wins

[@michellekush986]

Happy Birthday Dave!!!Thank you for all the laughter!!!

[@shermanium7834]

"you're still there, huh?" amazing

[@michaelshada262]

For me there were 3 Kings of late night TV. Mr. Carson always #1 but the Greats to follow were Mr Dave Letterman and the warped sense of humor of Mr. Craig Ferguson. There were many other good late night hosts but these three were a MUST WATCH for me.

[@indianabp]

I remember watching this 30 years ago! Still classic!

[@patriciamorgan6545]

What a great way for us to celebrate Dave's birthday: having Dave and Johnny together!🎉 Also a treat to hear Will Lee's singing voice so clearly.

[@oldandbankrupt]

Happy Birthday, Dave!

[@garygarrison5040]

Classic TV with David Letterman and Johnny Carson that will never grow old❤Thanks for the memories👏❤

[@kstepko]

Once she sang it, I realized that I know “Ukulele Lady”! 🌺

[@user-ui8or8cq7l]

I was in the audience that night. What a great show!

[@patriciamorgan6545]

What a great memory!❤

[@playfulyogi5639]

Happy Birthday David Letterman

[@Lugano1788]

Happy Birthday to the King of Late Night!

[@_Tanasis_]

Kimmel looked up to Dave.Dave looked up to Carson.Carson looked up to J.Benny.Benny never had someone to look up to cause there was no electricity.

[@HardRockMiner]

Kimmel is a talentless hack. You should have said Craig Ferguson instead. At least Craig is funny.

[@100hooker]

It’s all too much political bullish!t these days. It’ll be worse when a republican gets in.

[@JoelDavies-bi5mp]

Betty White would have had similar problems. All done from scratch.

[@HardRockMiner]

@luke5100 - That's because they all showed something that Johhny Carson never did in all his years in the spllotlight... they showed favouritism toward 1 political party. That's more than enough to turn away half your audience.

[@stephenmilton9998]

Jack Benny was hilarious!

[@user-bl6lh8wh2x]

David Letterman you are So Funny 🤣😂. And rip Johnny Carson 😞 had it also 😁😊💋💯

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

The GOAT!!!

[@vancouverelectricfootballn5426]

Johnny, Dave and the once mighty NBC! (Best days of television.)

[@LandonLovette]

Happy birthday Dave!

[@ithinkaboutthings9052]

I really miss Johnny on tv and Dave was still rather sane in the time of this episode. 😢

[@markvancourt2071]

What an excellent clip!

[@nikralm]

I sent in this request, thank you so much!!!!

[@Cedar602]

Amazing thank you. You read my mind and post unedited clips referencing 8 things I'm thinking about, and do it constantly. To call it anything other than coincidence is offputting, but it is amazing. Aside from that, Dave is just unmatched. I love this channel. Thank you. Like a good neighbor...

[@nl5828]

paul schaffer wearing the carnac hat! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@richardkuehn115]

Really love this trip in the way back machine. I just wonder why do all great comedians eventually turn to their personal politics it ruins the just another old bulls opinion Keep on keepin on ❤️✌️🤓👍

[@nazaretsalinas2691]

Happy Birthday Dave 🎉🎉🎂

[@markjackson6431]

Letterman is the reason we have multiple late night shows. yeah Cavett, Griffin, Bishop, Snyder, etc came before but Letterman was able to seriously compete with The Tonight Show. if Letterman got The Tonight Show it would’ve been a success. and with Shandling or Carvey or Conan doing Late Night, NBC would still be “the late night leaders”. i doubt Leno would be as successful on CBS as Letterman was.

[@TFinSF]

Should have given her a restaurant gift certificate for pre-marathon carbo loading. 🎽

[@ChadRiden]

Happy Da Birthday Ve

[@fatalmodelmadhatter]

Damn, I was going to write that 🤪 "It's Birthday Ve!!!" But may the man stick around for a long time here.

[@GardenGirlD76]

Legend to Legend.

[@lindacreesy3909]

miss Johnny and Dave

[@fasteddie9529]

Back when late night TV was entertaining!

[@MultiVince95]

Thursday 11th November 1993

[@catha.j.stuart2200]

Can the Letterman team please post the performance of Rage Against the Machine in the street in front of the theatre? It would be great to see it in HD ...

[@davewestner]

Anyone know how many versions of "stump the band" they did on Letterman? I swear I heard they only did it once on Late Night. No idea about Late Show.

[@chrisarseneault5617]

Gosh I miss Johnny. He loved David and was very upset when that backstabber Leno got the sow. Just my 2 cents.

[@user-eq2dx2jp6v]

❤❤❤❤❤❤😂🎉🎉🎉

[@user-ui8or8cq7l]

Arsenio would be proud