First Stupid Pet Tricks on The David Letterman Show, June 26, 1980

On February 25, 1997, Merrill Markoe held a book reading/Q&A in Berkeley. One of the audience members, Katherine Ann Freeman, reported back a few days later:
"[Merrill] revealed the Holy Grail: the exact moment Stupid Pet Tricks was born. One night, years and years ago, she was hanging out with a bunch of Berkeley friends and they were all strapped for cash. Seeking cheap entertainment, they put socks on the friends' Doberman pinscher. The dog in socks became the evening's entertainment and the rest is history."
On the fourth day of the first week of The David Letterman Show in late June 1980, Stupid Pet Tricks made its television debut. From Jason Zinoman's Letterman: The Last Giant of Late Night, pp. 51-52:
[I]t was on this first week on air when [Markoe] made one of her greatest contributions to the history of television. In the final fifteen minutes, Letterman introduced a new segment not with enthusiasm, but something closer to his heart: Extravagant lying. “It’s going to be unbelievable,” he said, a tiny grin emerging. “The Smithsonian has already phoned and already said they want a copy of the tape for the time capsule. Have the folks stay home from work and keep the kids home from school. History is being made.”
… The network suggested she use trained animals, but she refused, launching one of television’s most enduring bits, with 130 segments over the course of three shows and thirty-four years. Sean the Dog, the original stupid pet, walked onto the set, turned around and closed a door with his nose. Then he answered a phone, knocking it off the receiver. Like a sportscaster analyzing a game-winning shot, Letterman showed it again in slow motion. “We paid for the instant replay,” he told the audience. “We may as well use it until you’re bored silly.”
Markoe and Letterman loved dogs, and owned two, and they found any excuse they could to put them in a comedy sketch, but what made this conceit work was that it bridged traditional entertainment with Letterman’s caustic sense of humor. It was the grand crowd-pleasing tradition of animal acts but from a new perspective, starting with its name: blunt, snarky and impertinent. “If they didn’t call it 'Stupid Pet Tricks,' it’s 'Pet Tricks,'” said Steve Martin . “I don’t know if I want to see Pet Tricks."
To Letterman, the word “stupid” also meant something delightfully bizarre. It became a kind of shorthand on the show. “Dave or Merrill would always say: ‘That’s so stupid,’ which was a compliment,” says Edd Hall, who worked on graphics.
Of course, every bored kid knows that being stupid has its pleasures. But the context of Stupid Pet Tricks mattered. “His idea was we have this multimillion dollar operation and we’re showing a dog closing a door,” said Gerard Mulligan, Markoe’s old friend who joined the writing staff and remained with Letterman for over two decades. He further explained the idea: “I am just wasting your time and mine, telling pointless anecdotes, just making stuff up here. And yet, you’re watching. Who’s the fool?”
[end book citation -- www.amazon.com/Letterman-Last...]
After the morning show had been cancelled and, over a year later, Late Night was being formulated, Merrill described her struggles with the network in her article "The Dawn of Late Night," published in the September 2016 issue of AARP Magazine:
[begin magazine citation]
When Late Night With David Letterman was in its cocoon stage, the NBC brass arranged a meeting with me to explain the data gathered from audience focus groups for the David Letterman Show, the short-lived morning show David did in 1980. “This chart shows a drastic drop-off when a music act comes on,” said the executive. “Notice how the televisions all turn off when a band performs? The good news is the focus groups liked Stupid Pet Tricks. But they all agreed they’d rather see it done with trained animals.”
“You mean like a horse that can count, or a circus elephant?” I said, incredulous.
“Exactly,” the executive answered, nodding.
So I reported back to the show and we decided to ignore everything he said.
[end magazine citation]
The first Stupid Pet Trick segment that aired on the morning show probably wouldn't be called a rousing success, as three of the four participants failed to live up to their billing. But it was a start.
The owners and their pets:
1. Shamus Sullivan with Sean
2. Elizabeth Boatwright with The Empress of Blandings
3. Sue Boatright with Crackbox Nelson
4. Sharon Santaniello with Wiener

[@tad1980]

1:20 - "history is being made here today...." - he said it sarcastically, but it was ever so true

[@mikephillips8538]

tad1980 it really was very true, what a great piece of television history

[@tonysnark1530]

I was just about to say that 4 years later. Hope you're still alive, past person.

[@len452000]

This was like a slow motion disaster that you can’t stop watching. 😂 I loved it.

[@erepsekahs]

This was like a slow motion disaster that was incredibly annoying.

[@marcochimio]

It's amazing that they did this bit again after that first time.

[@CarlScripter]

12:00 "At least weener asked for the chewing gum..." That is a sentence I believe has never been uttered until this glorious moment in history.

[@matthm4137]

LOL it's hilarious.. that was the denouement of the show right there

[@jgboys1]

I had to watch this today, 6/26/2023 on the 43 year anniversary of this airing. I remember watching this episode when it first aired. Man how time flies.

[@TheGuyMullins]

When I was a kid we had three networks and PBS... it was nice having something good on for a change...

[@thesongbird2383]

Letterman even has the ability to keep an audience interested in watching paint dry! He's that great! 👍💜

[@KiddBloo86]

Daytime Letterman, definitely better than the Kardashians.

[@RevengeAvenger]

They're not even on the same atmosphere

[@thealee3065]

It was truly a moment in history!!!🎉❤

[@harrodsongs]

Letterman had a sense of wonder about him back then.

[@finnibertlunchiken7792]

Jason Harrod True. He became much more cynical and impatient through the years. We should all watch out for that I guess.

[@gyorgybessenyei72]

I think it's called growing old.

[@makeadifference4all]

First-ever stupid pet trick: The dog Sean closing a door (replayed in slo-mo) LOL

[@airport862]

It's surprising that they let this segment continue after such a rough start. But good thing they did as it became popular and successful later on.

[@nrrork]

Nah, because Letterman has such a dry, sarcastic sense of humor that tricks NOT working just gave him more to work with. A good talk-show host will make the moments when something goes wrong some of the funniest and most memorable.

[@leftylou6070]

What are you talkin' 'bout! This is typical Letterman schtick. That's what makes it so good!

[@chillywillie6283]

I remember watching The Dave Letterman Show in the morning when the show first started.

[@RagtimeAnnie]

That set - My Goodness ! It has all the charm of public access. How TV has changed in 40 some years ... gosh.

[@toupac3195]

This is the birth of real comedy. My stupid grandkids will hopefully appreciate this some day.

[@mudchair16]

9:09 "Let's try the fish again..."

[@jamesmarshall1905]

A piece of TV - and Dave - history!!

[@markmnorcal]

That was tough to get through.

[@davanmani556]

That's why TV is so fascinating. It can make and break humans as well as animals.

[@joshuazerubbabel5951]

Great info, thanks!! Surpising that The Letterman Show endured after having watched this clip! LOL

[@Babbage3]

"This is not actually a competition, more of a demonstration, I guess."

[@jamesmarshall1905]

Please no wagering!

[@seaoftranquility7228]

@@jamesmarshall1905 Beat me to it.

[@darincox6202]

I like the first trick with John Oates

[@theaddictedprepper902]

Just Shamus.

[@kymberleedellaluce]

I am here to show this bit to my kids. It is a bit like visiting a museum!

[@damienocallaghan2648]

TOP 3 Moments in U.S. TV History 3 Moon Landing 2 JFK Assasination 1 Stupid Pet Tricks

[@mikephillips8538]

This is great at 5am with coffee in July 2018

[@jettaca88]

Stupid pet/ human tricks is so original! Haha

[@jimijackson]

That Elizabeth has the most calming voice..

[@chandrikakumari5060]

I loved it. Beautiful show.

[@darthhulka-burger3187]

I think that the Smithsonian would actually want a copy of that tape.

[@metmike100]

"Are you talking to me or the dog?" LOL

[@FREDOGISFUUN]

Love it. True late night tv how it should be. What happened to the fun? Dave is a legend!

[@straycatttt2766]

Actually, this was not on late night TV yet. This was on his morning show.

[@len452000]

I didn’t know Letterman started out as a morning show.

[@yvonnemurray5537]

If this really was the very first segment of stupid dog tricks, I am actually surprised that the segment continued on like it did, and became the greatest segment ever on a talk show. 😂oI know it was one of my favorites and still is that’s why I’m watching all the old ones now.

[@mikephillips8538]

Great great upload

[@petercipriani3307]

"Not actually a competition, more of a demonstration"." The immortal "no wagering" yet to be born.

[@royalsfan]

0:28 I'm glad you were able to finagle something with the Smithsonian, Donz.

[@craigjillson6050]

I remember watching Dave's daytime show. Yes I'm old.

[@delawarepearl8489]

Me too. Loved it

[@SacredFire777]

Me three!

[@HavianEla]

The crowd was wrong - history WAS made that day. Stupid Pet Tricks is legendary

[@tomitstube]

wow, kind of rare, this show only lasting 4 months. and doing stupid pet tricks on the 4th show. amazing.

[@martiemc8398]

Spit, Empress! 🐠🐠🐠🐠🐠

[@KiddBloo86]

"Something she learned from you???" I about lost it!

[@hankkingsley9300]

This was two days after my 16th birthday I watched him all summer and was sad when it was over and then it came back at night and it's like oh hell yeah and this show proved that Newman wasn't uptight he actually was pretty funny

[@nuschlerclark895]

Irish Setters are so dumb yet so cuddly!

[@davidmeichner8346]

Letterman is great.

[@heathernewman5272]

He had a character on the morning show called Mrs. Marv Mendenhall. She had "lived just outside of every major city in the U.S." so funny!

[@clancykobane9102]

Dave and his fake tv apartments..i love them.

[@TifosoTurk]

enjoyed the description below.

[@ss_whole]

The set was like half talk show half sitcom

[@mayitriggeryou]

I loved Letterman's morning show. I'll never forget the segment he had about this guy teaching you how to piss off drivers in NYC. The part where you stay at the green light and then gun it at the yellow leaving everyone stuck at the red was priceless! Do you have that clip by chance, Don?

[@dongiller]

Probably but have no idea which show.

[@mayitriggeryou]

Wow, you must have a house full of tape. I know it was a summer show, but other than that...

[@thejenr8tr922]

I loved the one where Dave did the show from some random family's living room.

[@roostersideburns3440]

the dog has passed away sadly

[@c.rutherford]

3:43 guy is clearly trying to look like John Oates (Hall and Oates) lol

[@keithwilson6060]

Awww, the 80s styles.

[@FoxRivers778]

Thanks Don. You can tell Dave is just starting out. This is the first time I've seen anything from the morning show and I never knew Stupid Pet Tricks started on that. However, I guess the "no wagering" rule didn't start until the late night show? What time was the morning show on. Was it after the Today show?

[@dongiller]

The shows aired live at 10 am for 90 minutes for the first 6 weeks, then reduced to 60 for the remaining 12.

[@iamkarlwithak]

There is no off position on the genius switch. 💪🙏🌏🌍🌎❤️🇺🇸🖖

[@spoonman01]

Bennington brought me here!

[@jonathanross149]

Wow!, the morning show?

[@kstepko]

“Next on Stupid Pets … I mean, Stupid Pet Tricks.” You weren’t wrong the first time, Dave.

[@c.rutherford]

2:49 When was the last time anyone heard a phone ring with an actual real bell in it?

[@catherinegigliotti1368]

❤

[@gastonave]

Did anyone else Google The Empress of Blandings?

[@sideswiped6874]

LOL too funny. just being a boom is enough LOL

[@JiveDadson]

Letterman did not recognize an allusion from P.G.Woodhouse.

[@jeffclement2468]

Damn this is ancient! Almost looks like a parody of early Letterman! 😝

[@joeschmo2693]

For my own stupid human trick, I turned 14 that day.

[@billbillings913]

Hey Don you probably get asked this question a lot... how much of the 1980 morning show exists in the hands of the collectors?

[@dongiller]

There are around nine that circulated around 20 years ago. Much more have since come to light, such as the rest of this show, and I hope to share them in here when I'm able.

[@straycatttt2766]

I remember Edie McClurg as part of the ensemble. She later had a small role as a school office lady in “Ferris Bueller.” Rich Hall also was a likable ensemble player. I think he later was a member of SNL briefly.

[@Tobbetejj]

No urinproof carpet back then? =)

[@halleck3]

I realize it's tame today, but in its time this was actually more on the revolutionary side. And that's kind of scary because, shit, I'm old!

[@thesmokingburrito9097]

Weiner want some guinea pig.😂

[@gmf121266]

Dear David. I have a fish whose trick is.....he mimics a fish.

[@Sarakate601]

Did the girl get offended when he said the fish learned to spot from her? Lol did I see an eye roll?

[@SafariPlum]

Shamus and Sean, clearly Irish names (plus he said he was a lazy Irishman), and his dog Sean looks to be an Irish Setter. The only thing that could round this off, would be him being from NYC or New Jersey.

[@hotlov72]

That's a good boy

[@heyscuba]

what show is this,..???

[@dongiller]

Note the title of the video.

[@nickinportland]

This is such a fail but still funny somehow

[@kdwaynec]

Noticed that he's wearing fancy dress shoes.

[@blueconversechucks]

This was when you could still wager on stupid pet tricks.

[@tomchrisfield7348]

Dave Letterman was the "King"of the night time world.

[@YouTube-tied]

Fuck me if the first contestant isn't Michael Stuhlbarg from Fargo Season 3 and Boardwalk Empire. I think it's him.

[@earthlingjohn]

Wagering must have been allowed for this one

[@evvignes]

I was wagering.

[@debbieflaherty1975]

Please tell me that’s Joey!!!!

[@petermaxwell2965]

Good morning ?

[@dongiller]

The show aired live at 10 am.

[@bonek350]

I think Dave wss a little irritated with the 2 ladies in the middle.

[@yophiosantiago]

Sad to think that most of these animals are dead now because twenty years has passed.

[@SacredFire777]

Forty years.

[@ronvavra]

I used to have a goldfish that I could make fart when I squeezed it.

[@Pea_Sniddle]

😂

[@mikemahoney6840]

I would've asked weiner if he wanted some fish.

[@1Clearwords]

The Boatman sisters and their pets certainly overestayed their 15 minutes of fame, yet they're still more interesting than the Kardashians.

[@ysgdhio]

Please. No wagering.

[@opieutt9038]

Jim Croce brought in his Irish Setter.

[@FoxRivers778]

The fish and the guinea pig, I don't get it, and why was that lady sitting on the floor like that? Kinda hot actually. Hell, no dog wants their teeth brushed. I seem to remember learning that vets anesthetize them for that.

[@karenharris3183]

should of used some lettice

[@SafariPlum]

The two sisters and their pets had too much gunja before the show.

[@russell2952]

I can't believe Freddie Mercury's dog did the very first dumb pet trick

[@yvonnemurray5537]

Anybody else think Sean looks exactly like Jim Croce?!?!? Doppelgänger for sure!

[@tlnn6598]

This show has NO future!

[@emello4you]

The host has no future