Gilda Radner on Letterman, October 3, 1983

By request: Gilda's first (of three) appearances on Late Night. Here, she promotes her book Roseanne Roseannadanna: "Hey, Get Back to Work," co-written by Alan Zweibel. In the second segment, Dave calls the real Emily Litella, Elizabeth Clementine "Dibby" Gillies.
Note 1: This show aired in The Tonight Show's timeslot at 11:30 PM, as Carson celebrated his 21st anniversary special in prime time. In the 12:30 am slot was a Late Night rerun.
Note 2: You'll notice obvious edits throughout. This clip combines two tape sources; the better-quality version is incomplete, so the lesser-quality video fills in the gaps.
Note 3: I put up Gilda's third and last Late Night appearance here: • Gilda Radner on Letter...

[@joannaedwards6325]

For all of you who miss her. . . . .Gilda wrote a book before she left us. IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING. Such an interesting life ended much too soon. In my every day life when I've missed someone's point I always do my EMILY LATELLA voice and mutter "Never mind." So many young ppl can't understand me BUT IT MAKES ME SMILE. Oh how I miss Gilda Radner 😢😢😢 .

[@dewfall56]

She was such a sweetheart and dynamic comedian. Her characters were always jumping around and getting wild.

[@bradster67]

Gilda Radner, it's been almost 30 years since you left us. You are still loved and missed.

[@Mrjrainey]

Gilda would pass away 6 years later, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was one of a kind. A gifted soul.

[@rocroc]

That was about as good as it gets. When my grandmother died the minister who spoke at her funeral was a family friend. Grandma used to ride the ferry boat across the Ohio river when returning home for a visit. The minister reported that her spirit was like watching that ferry cross the river. The lights on the boat shown very bright at the dock but dimmed as it crossed to the other side. However, they were just as bright there as they were in the leaving. I think Gilda is that way. She shines brightly wherever she is today. Thank you Gilda and David as well for the show. Oh, thank you grandma for the memories:-)

[@AlyoshaKaramazov.]

Superb comedienne. Amazing human being. I dearly miss her.

[@joshuarayfield4300]

She was unique, Her death was tragic. She was such a sweet and kind woman who was full of love.

[@lynn1464]

Yes her death was very tragic it's hard to watch this she is sadly missed

[@johnbrowneyes7534]

She was my idol when I was a kid. I had her Roseanne Roseannadanna poster on my wall. 😀🥰👍

[@marcofreitas3844]

Crying my eues out here...the sweetness of Gilda and of the way she reacted when the lady said ´Never Mind´ was just off the charts.

[@tomq5180]

you can tell what a beautiful heart she had..she loved people..u can see it even without knowing her..she was a picture of great humanity..gene too!

[@euanforbes8849]

This is lovely Gilda had a beautiful soul

[@1Rdby]

Euan Forbes She seemed so sweet and genuine.

[@danfred7127]

@Heather Anderson I wonder what your story is. I bet you're overweight. You are what would be considered fat, and I bet you aren't typically attractive either. You have low self-esteem. And you were raised by a mother who has those exact same qualities. I bet I'm right. How close am I?

[@TheKillahKyla]

I love what she wore. Down-to-earth librarian look. So sweet ❤

[@michaelsheridan2748]

Wish Gilda was still around..

[@angelaguerry3627]

Me too. She was my favorite comedienne. Gilda and Lorraine Newman

[@basquehound1999]

Michael Sheridan you and me both.

[@slipnorris5882]

and belushi too

[@joannaedwards6325]

imo, any cast on SNL that came after the ORIGINAL NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME PLAYERS were never as bright and funny. The newer ppl on SNL are frankly embarrassingly bad.👎

[@evonza4858]

Me too l really liked her❤️🖤💚

[@petrinasmith6853]

Wow! Hearing "never mind" was amazing and Gilda is such a genuinely sweet and sensitive person. Watching her tear up make you want to tear up. Such a sweetheart!

[@itowedin]

“Talking on the phone probably...” Gilda I just discovered you and thank you for the opportunity!

[@thurmanwatson5954]

Heart just loves GILDA RATNER, her comedy 🤣 is great and left too soon.

[@malinagonnella5025]

Gilda was crying at the end.......did you see that .........love, love, love Gilda Radner!!!!!

[@bufordblu3338]

Rip Gilda, they don't make them like you anymore.

[@jorgerodriguez-ig5oe]

Wow i could never picture Gilda other then being very very funny all the time... to see her in this interview is such a treat.

[@marydonohoe8200]

What a lovely surprise. Loved that Gilda! 🙏🏼❤️💥

[@aaronlevine2150]

Wow! That's amazing! Thank you so much Don! I never thought I'd be able to see this. To actually hear the "never mind" was priceless and, as always, seeing Gilda brings a smile and gets me choked up. You made my day!

[@HansDelbruck53]

Not only a brilliant talent, but an utterly charming person. Gilda, we hardly knew ye.

[@thehitchslap]

She is so wonderful! Missed greatly.

[@tomitstube]

what an amazing human being, she genuinely cared for "regular" people. once invited her neighbors on letterman, to sing a song if i remember right.

[@dongiller]

That’s here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqPEp6KkgL5ke9k

[@dannpd1955]

Gilda was the most incredible woman who has graced this earth. My life is better because she lived. Incredible.

[@brandybeans7653]

Just got done with “It’s Always Something” by Gilda Radner. It talks about the last years of her life. Very sad! A good read.

[@johnstucko2740]

Gilda was sooo awesome! RIP. So nice to see 0 dislikes.

[@joannthomases9304]

I love that sweet lady...shes was too precious and kindly, just like my sweet mother..!!! Wonderful lady!!!!

[@melindaweasenforth1206]

She so trusted Gene and loved him, she didn't even know how sick she was, I don't think he did either....if he knew and would've said something I would like to think that she would still have been around for a while longer, but I don't think he even realized how severe her illness was..... so sad.. they were a match made in heaven....💜💛💙💯🌹

[@nycava0520]

Boy, I miss Gilda!! 🌸

[@goldiesincity8005]

Glinda radner is the original face of SNL she will always be the original face 🙎‍♀️ of SNL . Everytime i think of SNL i think of Roseanne Roseannedanna.

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Back when the SNL show was new, I never thought she was attractive, but now, over 40 years later, Gilda was just beautiful in every way. I hope her soul is at rest.

[@kalevala29]

I wish there were more chat show interviews with her. She's so funny and charming.

[@bobdereimer5210]

GILDA RADNER! Thank you, Don Giller.

[@asteverino8569]

So nice and so sweet, she is. ❤ Thanks Gilda.

[@johnbrowneyes7534]

Gilda was offered the role of Olive Oyl in the movie Popeye, she declined as she was doing her live show on Broadway. I read she was offered the role of Shirley Feeney of Laverne & Shirley but was busy with SNL at the time.

[@charlesodell804]

What a LOVE she was! Funniest, most talented, sweetest, most adorable, most best to be cast away on a dessert island with.

[@joshuamichael3884]

Omg this aired on my birthday. Well 5 years before I was born but still! So cool! Love Gilda

[@johnnyeco280]

Gilda was such a sweet souled lady ❤

[@terluc2881]

Thank you..

[@claysnyder7300]

Bless her soul a great actress

[@SaucyWench7]

She was absolutely adorable.

[@featherstone8093]

Gosh I miss the good times!! Blessings!

[@hollywinslett7097]

What an amazing woman. Seems too sweet and innocent to be a grown up. R.I.P.

[@TheVickiWagnerShow]

One of the funniest people of all time right there! Gilda Radner! Loved her!

[@triciahamill8018]

That was amazing!

[@blue4uable]

Gilda was such a great person I really miss her so very much..

[@gerardocordero5788]

It feels beautiful to see her

[@ztoxtube]

We love you, Gilda.

[@williamwhite999]

Gilda was so wonderful.

[@kazferns64]

So very sweet!

[@bradster67]

Gilda was a small child when Mrs. Elizabeth Gilles came into her life. Gilda was unable to say Mrs. Gilles. Gilda called her 'Mita Dibby', and eventually just 'Dibby'. This is from Gilda's book 'It's Always Something'.

[@ctsailorgirlgmail-account2841]

I'll never forget Rosanne with Jane Curtin and the day at the beach with sand in their swimming suits! Wish it was here ! So funny! :-)

[@dahblitz1401]

Gilda 💜

[@BBC600]

I like the vintage telephone noises.

[@JWH-01]

I am old, so I remember when those noises weren't "vintage"! :)

[@joannaedwards6325]

@@JWH-01 Me too! I remember and MISS public phone booths every 2 or 3 blocks, 5 cent ice cream cones and Soupy Sales. 😄 ✌ And I miss my mom letting me stay up late to watch The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, ppl saying hello back to me and smiling out in public and peddle pushers. What do you other Baby Boomers miss ??? 😊🤔

[@JWH-01]

@@joannaedwards6325 I had forgotten about Soupy Sales until you mentioned him! :)

[@joannaedwards6325]

@@JWH-01 After he wasn't doing his show anymore he did a couple of appearances on game shows then he disappeared. Wonder what happened with him. Now I'll Google him and find out.

[@marklechman2225]

Miss her. She was comedy genius.

[@alanwrobel8455]

Gilda was just plain great! Terrific SCTV skits too besides SNL

[@joefagan6244]

She was also a great tap dancer as well.

[@frank2778]

There is no justice in the universe. God bless, the comedians.

[@michaelrchan]

I love that Paul and the Band are playing De La Soul as they go to commercial.

[@dongiller]

De La Soul formed in 1988, five years after this appearance. Into the first commercial break, the band played Funkadelic’s “(Not Just) Skin Deep.” Into the second, The Beatles’ “Paperback Writer.”

[@michaelrchan]

@@dongiller Yes of course. Good catch. I'm brain melted from the heat today. But what a great riff. A great drop.

[@michaelrchan]

Not that it is a redemption for my mistake, but, hearing Paul play that lead was so convincing, and it's the first time I've heard it in quite some time, it makes me extremely happy.

[@michaelrchan]

@@dongiller It's something that I feel almost guilty about getting wrong, but it was a long time ago, so I realize it's an honest mistake, and not one that I would want to make again. What an amazing person, was Gilda Radner.

[@kathyprine4639]

♥️ Bless You Gilda kp xoxoxo

[@stuntmusicgameshow311]

Tears

[@Barnabas45]

Loved her!

[@johnperrigo6474]

Back when talk shows were real.

[@spaceghost8995]

@Andrew Brunnette Dave is more real than you will ever be.

[@Sincere8250]

Never mind.... Classic!

[@Rush23]

adorab!e

[@joelshain223]

I certainly miss Gilda and wash I could find the movie "Love Gilda"

[@joevasquez6375]

Women comics have Gilda to thank for their exposure on TV, I miss her.

[@chazinko]

The original "never mind!" Priceless!

[@BlueMHart]

I love her SO much. Honestly it would be strange if you didn't.

[@katiesingletary39]

Awww♡

[@larciabella]

I miss her and those days.

[@MichaelRojhay]

that was so cool

[@Zorn76]

Beloved as much as anyone could be.

[@slipnorris5882]

She is so unique.

[@michaelcooperwoti]

Adorable 🇨🇦

[@annburlingham4563]

How utterly sweet and worth the wait. Found this today because Trump has toilet paper stuck to his show and I really wanted to hear Roseanne Roseannadanna go on about Lee Radziwell. Never mind!

[@kitspics526]

Heather Anderson very Christian of you

[@kitspics526]

Heather Anderson Good point, I wouldn't know. Like who you want. But needing to say that about her says more about you than it does her. I'm out.

[@kitspics526]

Heather Anderson I feel sorry for you; Full of judgement and bitter accusations. Soften your heart and your tongue.

Heather Anderson I’m an apatheist and although I am not going to pray, I hope you have the life you wish others, all of the others.

Heather Anderson you must be aware that you are writing in a public forum. I am minding my business. I read your responses so I made it my business. You can choose to not engage in a dialogue but you can’t inform my decisions.

[@evonza4858]

I love that lady🥰❤️🖤💚rip Gilda❤️🖤💚

[@gregman1715]

GLIDA WAS AND IS MY FIRST LOVE R I P

[@sherrielawson2922]

Miss this lady.....

[@oldfarmshow]

😍

[@kathyprine4639]

♥️ RIP Gilda kp xoxoxo

[@moonshadownorah]

Yes i do too. So sad that the good die young.

[@anitahuie1145]

Love you and the snl crowd

[@anitahuie1145]

You blazed a trail.

[@Vejur9000]

One of the funniest women in tv history, right up there with Lucy... Is Gilda.

[@DavianSinner]

LOL, that was great. Mrs. Gillies came through.

[@kellyz4103]

yes

[@2uconner]

i wish you were here i love you

[@paulsolon6229]

Gilda has a heart

[@putinscat1208]

Whoa, Gilda is on before Keaton!

[@RD-vt9uu]

A-dorable!

[@melaniewood3506]

That's awesome. How cute. LMAO.

[@judd442009]

Gilda was diagnosed with cancer only 3 years after this interview with Letterman.

[@jasonbeard4713]

Cute lady!! How delightful.

[@thezzach]

9:05 Never mind. 😊

[@williamwhite999]

And David was so much worth it

[@cameramanzoomit]

Hey Don! Laraine was on the show in '83(?), I think. Any chance you could post that, and any other appearances, if any? Thanks!

[@dongiller]

In time. Not right now.

[@cameramanzoomit]

@@dongiller Ok, thanks.

[@joannaedwards6325]

@@dongiller You're a real sweetheart for bringing us these heart warming old shows. You are making a lot of us old Baby Boomers very happy. ✌

[@vincentjoyce5100]

My first crush.

[@Rayzorbladez]

Michael Shannon could play Letterman in a movie

[@blackdogdancer]

hahaha! you are right!

[@guyguyguy362]

Huh? You don't mention Mrs. Gilleys (nicknamed Dibbi) the original "Ms. Emily Latella" age 90, in Canada, takes a call from Gilda Radner 7:55

[@dongiller]

Sometimes it’s more effective to leave the surprise to the viewer. Which you’ve just spoiled.

[@YourMom-jk3gh]

🍟✌️