Frank Zappa Wants To Be A Talk Show Host | Letterman

Frank pitches Dave on his unique idea for a new talk show.
(From "Late Night," air date: 6/16/83)
#frankzappa #musician #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. These highlights have been artisanly-produced, carefully-curated, and chosen completely at random by an old computer that used to pick numbers for the New York Lotto back in the 90’s.

[@TaylerSpliff]

Zappa is a national treasure.

[@ryangettig274]

Forever & ever & ever...

[@knurps1000]

He is an international treasure! Greetings from Germany :-)

[@ThirstyEye]

@@knurps1000 I often say.... my brain thinks it silly but in my heart I truly DO think the world would be a better place if more people discovered Frank's music. Treasure, indeed. And, hello from USA :) .

[@ScantSquad]

International

[@cowlumbus]

He was introduced as the National Treasurer!

[@NeutronDance]

I like how he came out with the cig and ashtray only to stub it out immediately.

[@kevinsteel7875]

He also spends 30 seconds doing so, as if he was trying to convey a message.

[@Draxtor]

I could spend my entire rest of my life listening to Zappa music and interviews.

[@Joeyjojoshabbadoo]

I love Frank Zappa but I just don't like his music. And I really tried, because he's such an awesome dude. Awesome guitarist, awesome musician, but free jazz so to speak just isn't my thing.

[@jfh9209]

I was pleased that Dave invited him to come back anytime he wanted.

[@Zappafantrust]

Unfortunately, this was his last appearance on Letterman

[@shyl9311]

​@@Zappafantrust No, the last time he was on the show was on Halloween that year

[@raddastronaut]

Oh god how awesome would have been for Zappa to have had his own show.

[@grimdrum2396]

It could have changed things in this confused country we live in!

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

That London Symphony Orchestra album is one of the greatest albums to just put on and let play through. If you have speakers in all your rooms or a system loud enough to hear through your house. You can put it on as a soundtrack for your day doing whatever you have to do. It's amazing

[@jeffandersen7397]

2 of my favorite people. FZ walking on with an ashtray in hand is just perfect

[@ginoabeyta311]

Zappa and Beefheart were some of Letterman's best recurring guests. Always interesting to listen to.

[@bensantiago4557]

Notice how Letterman is very nice and respectful to him doesn't make any of his trademark rude sarcastic comments or questions or put downs

[@farticlesofconflatulation]

“No Smoking” Zappa brings his own ashtray

[@nunyabidness859]

They could still smoke in those days.

[@ichbin4122]

@@nunyabidness859what’s killed him

[@ichbin4122]

Sheick Yerbuti

[@hrv2fce]

@@ichbin4122nah playing with mercury as a child is probably what caused his cancer

[@DummyAccount-f1q]

@@ichbin4122 He died of prostate cancer, not lung cancer.

[@samanthab1923]

My brothers were huge Zappa fans. NYC Halloween shows every year. 70s-80’s.

[@Roy-G-Biv]

1981 @the Palladium

[@sle2470]

His Halloween shows were legendary!

[@lorip.1110]

Two legends in their respective fields.

[@Bronco541]

I disagree about Lettermen, i appreciate the guests hes had and thats it. Cant stand Letterman im glad hes gone.

[@cowtipper46]

"you go first" is classic Letterman. Great line.

[@spockboy]

Not really a fan of his music but I've watched every interview I can. He was a fascinating, intelligent person and a pleasure to listen to.

[@marybrunner1058]

Listen to Joe's Garage. You'll like it.

[@ThirstyEye]

Try listening to One Size Fits All, or Roxy & Elsewhere (sorry to preach, if ya don't like the music well to each their own :) ).

[@terrypussypower]

Listen to “Overnite Sensation” or “You Are What You Is” albums and you’ll chance your mind…I guarantee it!!

[@donlovell6708]

My personal favorite inspirational quote as a gigging musician. "If you cannot do adversity, don't gig" Frank Zappa

[@MatChew75]

Thank u FZ, u are missed my man. He is a world treasure, who's music will still be trying to figure out how he achieved it and how to play it. In the next 150 years. His music is so far ahead of its time & his brilliance will be admired many moons from now. And so on ,and so on, and so on. U want to get a reaction from outer space and what could be out their, ya know intelligence of some sort. Then let his music be the missing connection between our society and other worldly beings/societies. They will return our call, if FZ is involved!!!!!

[@paulypooper2]

It’s a shame Frank never lived long enough to use KZbin. He was ahead of his time ..

[@endezeichengrimm]

But he still ended up on youtube.

[@Bthe312]

​@@endezeichengrimmWhich you undoubtedly consume via Israeli technology.

[@endezeichengrimm]

@@Bthe312 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 From the river to the sea. Palestine will be Free. 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 Palestine. Palestine. 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 Palestine.🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 From the river to the sea. Palestine will be Free. 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 Palestine. Palestine. 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 Palestine.🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸

[@graxjpg]

Love zappa. His guitar work and composing are something to behold.

[@charlesbronson4026]

Strongly disagree with you. One of the least interesting, pompous asses to have smuggled himself into 20th Century music.

[@graxjpg]

@ thats like, totally your opinion man. if you arent a musician itd be nearly impossible to convince you otherwise.

[@ajcarr1965]

"If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library." -- Frank Zappa

[@kevinlakeman5043]

Good luck getting a medical, law, engineering, architectural, chemistry, physics, astro-physics, psychology degree from a library.

[@timomomomo969]

@@kevinlakeman5043 good luck making it through life being pedantic

[@timomomomo969]

@@dameharvey8731 no he doesn't. He thinks "degree" is synonymous with "education"

[@neophonics]

Ray Bradbury would agree!

[@scubadiva666]

@@kevinlakeman5043 Fortunately, now you can do distance learning; in Frank's day, you couldn't.

[@claumeister1]

Many don’t know that Zappa could read, compose, and perform complex orchestral and jazz scores. He was a world-class musical mind masquerading as a rock and roll jester.

[@dhotnessmcawesome9747]

No he wasn't. He was Frank Zappa living as Frank Zappa. Frank Zappas gotta do what Frank Zappas gotta do.

[@javimiami92]

@@dhotnessmcawesome9747 wow, way to ruin someone else’s observation.

[@dhotnessmcawesome9747]

@@javimiami92 Ruin my ass. If little words from some guy on KZbin ruined their anything, they're too sensitive to have an opinion in the first place, let alone share it on KZbin. I didn't attack or ruin or likely even effect anything with that.

[@nikolajkrarup8750]

Yes true. He didnt even listen to rock himself. His music transceded genres. He was one of a kind. A musical genious.

[@billmiller9145]

He was also a trained conductor

[@BenneWill]

"I have a personal relationship with my fans where I don't mess around"

[@andrewfischer556]

That was my favorite line from this interview

[@larrymclarnon-pd8xf]

What a sound and intelligent person was frank.

[@Pittie21]

Was very fortunate to be able see Frank @Cooper Union College, NYC @1975.

[@scazermazz]

I have this orchestral album. It's incredible

[@ffsf739]

Zappa's idea for a talk show reminds me of Bill Maher's Real Time (previously, Politically Incorrect). Dave's idea of letting some random dude talking - and Zappa's brilliant bit about regular people being so bored with the Talk Show format that they would think they could do it better - is a prescient anticipation of the work of many KZbinrs!

[@alexlegge]

It’s worth noting that Zappa’s idea for a talk show, which he presents at 5:45, is ahead of its time and eerily prophetic. Years later, Bill Maher went on to take this approach for his highly popular show Politically Incorrect.

[@DummyAccount-f1q]

Yes, I thought of that too.

[@fiddlestix3025]

Heartwarming interview 🙏

[@hippydippy]

Frank will always be a National Treasure. Man I miss him.

[@JiveDadson]

Nations do not enter into it.

[@deanstevenson6527]

Me Three. He forced us to think about Mental Health. And Brown LipStick. And other stuff....It's Bad when people Don't Think.

[@JiveDadson]

Brown lipstick don't make it.

[@dacsceilings5]

International treasure , we loved him in the UK

[@ThirstyEye]

@@dacsceilings5 And I do believe the people of Hungary were quite fond of him!

[@jarrettthomas4865]

Wow one of my favorites talking about another one of my favorites. Can’t believe I haven’t heard this yet

[@jarrettthomas4865]

And I mean Zappa on beefheart…sorry not you Dave 😅

[@AmpleWarning]

One of the best Letterman (and Zappa) interviews.

[@solarwave]

Thinking the same. They are both unaffected and appreciating each other. Good questions and answers.

[@harveysmusicschoollizaman2290]

Making Frank Zappa laugh was not an easy job I assume. They both had fun it appears.

[@jussiniemi9560]

The liner notes basically show that he was a perfectionist.

[@ThirstyEye]

I recall a Frank appearance wherein Dave (regarding the orchestra) said "well, you've come a long way" and FZ shrugged his shoulders (it's all one BIG NOTE). Perhaps another appearance, but I think they edited that out. All good, Dave seems to have had genuine affection for Frank!

[@garryferrington811]

Still ahead of his time...ahead of our time!

[@clintstewart5545]

MISS YOU FRANK ZAPPA !!!

[@malectric]

I'm in awe of Frank Zappa's genius.

[@jimschleich8753]

This was so interesting that I almost forgot about Frank's great advice about brown lipstick!! He's right you know.

[@zzzyzzzyzzzyxxx]

Both brown lipstick AND brown shoes don't make it.

[@jimschleich8753]

@@zzzyzzzyzzzyxxx we can all agree that one is worse than the other!

[@geoffreycanie4609]

It is interesting that many of Zappa's ideas seem to apply today. He mentioned thinking talk shows were boring and that people would make their own and those would be better. That has happened now with KZbin shows beating out mainstream media.

[@pardyhardly]

The human race has yet to recover from the loss of this man.

[@countblue]

I am afraid we wont, never.

[@ThirstyEye]

While your assertion is bit over-the-top, I too feel a sadness. On top of the music, I think the world would still benefit from his charisma.

[@Qwertyuiopaz]

Don't worry, we have lil xan and lil durk now

[@Tommyr]

I miss that man. A musical genius. And nobody looks good in brown lipstick.

[@lilrocky2640]

I miss Dave too

[@scubadiva666]

He also wrote this in his "Z-pac"-a collection of material and essays against the "Washington Wives" who were intent on putting ratings on rock-n-roll records. "Nobody looks good in brown lipstick."

[@timlonggone]

I miss him, honest and straightforward. Seen him once at the poly pavilion ucla. Excellent.

[@mikepayne5780]

Incredible man

[@vrvaughn]

Frank’s first solo record, Lumpy Gravy, was original orchestral material.. that was in 1968

[@iverstim]

If Frank had remained healthy throughout the 90s, I could envision him hosting a talk show. Zappa would have garnered the mainstream recognition he deserved, allowing those who viewed him as an eccentric rockstar to appreciate his immense talent and intelligence.

[@garybauer124]

A true artist.

[@LLYMYNT]

Love Frank❤

[@pauld205]

Dave did a great job. He was slightly comical while being suitably respectful and intelligent.

[@joebarr725]

8:01 - "His father used to drive a Helms Bakery truck" As a kid, I loved the Helms Bakery trucks. When one drove down our residential street, you could just flag him down and buy great baked goods. The driver had a regular route, so he would pass by our house at about the same time whern he came by. I don't remember if it was daily or not.

[@DummyAccount-f1q]

Never heard of Helms or “bakery trucks” in general. Are you from California?

[@ZelbeQahi]

Frank Zappa’s idea about media came true! Today the news we get is a mixture of celebrity and politicians talking politics. I never got to see Frank live but did get to meet, party with and watch, “The Grandmothers” with Jimmy Carl Black! He was the nicest approachable guy and have a beer with. Zappa joined The Mothers, he wasn’t a founder. “Sonny” was Jimmy’s nickname told me that when Frank joined The Mothers, he told them he’d make them “rich and famous”, to which “the Indian of the group” said, “we got famous but not rich”. Him, his son Geronimo Black, Bunk Gardner and Don Preston. I got to meet them in Oklahoma at the same house I met Jesse Ed Davis mom, lol

[@ichbin4122]

Hey…

[@ichbin4122]

Thanks for your contribution here

[@tedcabana]

Frank's idea of a talk show set the stage for Morton Downey Jr., Howard Stern, and Jerry Springer. I could totally imagine Frank hosting a show like that.

[@walkertongdee]

Miss him so

[@DiceStrike]

“No smoking” Zappa walks out with a lit Bine … Good Times

[@QuarrellaDeVil]

Even if you're not a fan of his music, "The Real Frank Zappa Book" should be on your reading list. He spends a bit of time on his interactions with symphony orchestras and how their bar breaks affected the quality of the recordings. The Captain Beefheart origin story is in there, and it's interesting to read his thoughts on politics and compare them to what's happening today.

[@liamaleman1761]

5:50 Frank Zappas idea for his talk show essentially turned out to be Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher

[@corey6393]

My thoughts exactly. I wonder if Bill was watching this episode and had an epiphany?

[@shayneoneill1506]

You know how I know its gonna be a good Zappa interview? It doesnt start off with "This dude has weird names for his kids!". Like, you have probably the closest rock and roll had to an Einstein level genius ,60+ albums and all the hot takes an interviewer could ever dream of, and ya go for weird-kids names? Talk about a wasted opportunity. Leterman here gives the man his respect. Its not the deepest interview, but its clear Letterman enjoys franks banter, and Zappa seems pretty comfortable (You can tell when Zappa isnt enjoying himself, he closes right up)

[@regzzuse280]

In an alternative universe, Howard Stern is a rock n' roll star, and Frank Zappa is a bizarre radio personality.

[@JackAdogoff]

Frank is one of the few humble genuises. Even when he talks about himself, its not a brag. From what ive aeen if hes talking about himself, its usually about what he does, not what je thinks of himself

[@pantheesresolus7439]

Music and FZ are The best ♪ ♫

[@Danuta628]

MaAn I miss those days . And I miss Frank even more. He would really not like this world today.

[@VeronicaThompson-k7t]

Frank Zappa did in modern music what Andy Warhole did for modern 🖼️. And many, who don’t understand either of them as artists the personalities and sharp opinions on their contemporaries are legendary. Intersecting fact: Andy W. really liked Zappa and respected his views.

[@MatChew75]

I am an absolute collector of anything live by him, especially 75-83!!! One of the most profound musicians/ composer/ conducter of all time. Sure anybody can shred a guitar, but to also compose & direct the band when the guitar wasnt in his hands. He expected nothing but superiority from his musical counterparts in his band. His guitar parts werent his ego, it wS an excercise in ability, and werehe could take his fans with his brilliant playing. A great wonder of the world even though he is gone. SICK!!!!!

[@fluxcapacitor1621]

My aunt was a bookkeeper for Frank Zappa's band.

[@piggyroo100]

Mine too!

[@DummyAccount-f1q]

@@piggyroo100 Mine too-all ten of them.

[@paulkossak7761]

Bought his first album when I was a kid "we're only in it for the money". Blew my little adolescent mind.

[@shougo4453]

Frank calling the Captain strange was hilarious.🐺

[@DummyAccount-f1q]

That’s a strange remark.

[@almi3332]

I would have watched that show!

[@ralphyetmore]

I thought it was interesting that Zappa called Howard Stern long ago and complimented him about his radio show. Particularly Stern's "wack-pack" seemed like a thing that Zappa tried to do through his movies and live performances. I can see some similarities there.

[@QuarrellaDeVil]

cf. "Laurel Fishman". 🙂

[@s.deegan3740]

Are they talking about having a talk show where they interview regular everyday people? Great idea

[@GCorvetti]

Uncle Frank was and still the Best.

[@condundrop]

Zappa was an actual genius

[@petergrundy8081]

Man I miss Frank Zappa

[@deanstevenson6527]

Let em Hack it Out. We don't mess around. No accounting for taste. I love Mr Zappa's Atheist, Pull No punches simplicity. Drug Free Groupie Love from Me to Where Ever He is...❤️🎈

[@IndigoBassNotes]

My role model, as I have made groups & music not trying to Be Frank Zappa but finding my own voice and putting music first.

[@tommyt1971]

Ah Franko, if only you'd stopped smoking earlier in your career. Wish you were still with us.

[@kittymartini7464]

After he died Bill Maher used the exact same talk show format that Zappa described he wanted to host ----and called it "Politically Incorrect"

[@jamesheath7601]

RIP Frank

[@benjaminglover1570]

Zappa and Waits should run the whole show.

[@monoped8437]

new frank......so to speak. thanks

[@massapower]

And fast forward to the 21st Century, anybody or anyone can talk on U Tube . Not the best comes out of it, but definitely ZaPPa called it 😎✌ Man ! Imagine Zappa & Carlin going at it to today with Media and idiots 😄👍🏻

[@eddyvideostar]

At 3:00 minutes: Frank, In spirit -- Why bother when the close odds of musical perfection drift?

[@DummyAccount-f1q]

Where is the translation button when you need it? What the hell are you trying to say?

[@VincentGodinez-m7h]

Co - host for Frank Zappa; Cpt. Beefheart !

[@TigerClawTV]

Frank Zappa pitched Bill Mahar's Politically Incorrect in the 1960s.

[@nathanlaoshi8074]

Too bad Dave didn't pursue the brown lipstick concept further -- that would have been truly entertaining. Oh well, guess he kind of wanted to keep his career...

[@paulsantamaria2605]

With Melodyne, Frank would have been over the moon - he would have been able to reach into recordings and right the wrongs played by the musicians who had not the proper time to get it down. I'd like to reach into this video and into his chest and remove the cumulative effects of the cigarettes and maybe he would not have died from cancer. I'm here in the future, Frank, and in the next future maybe Celemony will have invented such a tool...sure it sounds nuts - I'll bet Melodyne would have to Frank.

[@drewdemien481]

Sorry if I've offended anyone. Wasn't my hope. It's not fun sometimes, but I hope i.made someone smile or laugh as that's a much better pill than Eli Lilly makes.

[@jgsrhythm100]

Did Maher see this when aired giving him the idea for Politically incorrect(then Real Time).

[@thebangkokconnection4080]

Another musician taken from us too early.

[@PeanutSpring3]

I would be scared to see what Zappa could do with pro tools and MIDI instruments.

[@onelove1968]

Zappa would've likely recorded an entire album called 'Don't Be A Pro Tool' ... composed and engineered entirely by 'Pro Tools'.

[@countblue]

listen to the album "Jazz from hell" its done on a synclavier that was a midi instrument.

[@PeanutSpring3]

@@countblue I did not know that! But I'm talking what people use now a days to make whole symphonies or crazy impossible pieces like Rush E. But he'd obviously make it possible so he could perform it.

[@jeffhaddix9508]

Frank might have been seen by the general public is a bit of a weird guy but he was obviously very intelligent.

[@Royalle_with_Cheese]

What will you do with the profits from this album? There won't be any profits. Frank knew that going in. He paid all that money up front to get that music recorded knowing that he was going to lose money on it. That's commitment to his art. Frank said, "Some people put their money up their nose. I put mine in my ear."

[@tommyturner2140]

a mind is like a parachute...it only works if its open FZ

[@douglashanau3339]

Zappa just invented Bill Mahers show

[@dannymolinari]

sacha baron cohen should do FZ bio pic

[@JackAdogoff]

"how do you get the London symphony orchestra?" "You pay them" It's funny how everyone laughed there when it's just a normal guy telling the truth. It kind of highlights how fake everything else coming out of the entertainment industry is.

[@gongqi67]

Look at that beefheart!

[@BokorugroRR]

I am not sure the audience got the joke of the brown lipstick referring to kissing ass

[@kendallevans4079]

Being "outrageous" just for that sake isn't very interesting or unique. It mostly signals you have nothing to say

[@ScantSquad]

Basically zappa’s band (if large enough, and tutored by zappa) would be fundamentally better in performance

[@KellyCorpening]

I know alot about Frank realistically

[@HalloikbenJim]

What does he mean with brown lipstick

[@QuarrellaDeVil]

Ass kissing.

[@admirpireci6005]

People who kiss ass.

[@ryangettig274]

Frank Zappa(&Stanley Kubrick)Eccentric Cats,Yet Family Men to the end:)God & Heaven Rest Their Souls:)

[@dominysynclair]

And now you know where Bill Maher got his genius idea for a show: from someone who arguably was a genius. Does that make Bill Maher the Bill Gates of television? You know, because he stole the idea that made him rich from someone smarter than him...