Joaquin Phoenix's Infamous Appearance With Dave | Letterman

[@BernieMadoff-qv5in]

“Joaquin, I’m sorry you couldn’t be here tonight” Is an all time letterman quote.

[@Garrett1240]

That’s why he’s infinitely better than Fallon and kimmel

[@sydicate15t]

Cbd no thc flow weak hate to be cheap n eat 8 4 a keepsake myteeh ache

[@rishabhaniket1952]

Ironically it was Phoenix who was trolling Letterman

[@JamesBond-uh4gq]

Realize it's Andy Kaufman

[@toreckman8899]

@@Garrett1240who?

[@justinmj6586]

Ironically Dave would go on to steal this look in retirement.

[@doctorjekyll6125]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@saulestey3165]

Damn. . .

[@HawthorneHillNaturePreserve]

That’s so funny because it’s true!😂

[@ryanhudson6903]

Fact

[@rennatsinned5451]

I know I was just going to say that. He loves that look now.

[@degenerategambler4830]

This is more unsettling than the talk show scene in joker 😂

[@AJScraps]

Fr I was gettin worried😂

[@Sadc0m]

I was thinking the same thing

[@MegaChris456]

Joaquin is even sitting in the same posture that he has in the Joker talk show scene; right leg over the left leg. I bet there's side by side comparisons of that on KZbin 😂

[@JohnNOHUD]

😂

[@lisaplatt3697]

I was just about to comment the same exact thing. When watching this clip I kept flashing to Joaquin as the Joker talking with Murray😂👍

[@mustardking20]

Love how the unabomber line nearly cracked him.

[@azazaelmaher6468]

"it's just a little joke." "comedy is subjective, Dave."

[@DoomKid]

1:48 lol, I honestly think Dave felt a little bad here

[@seemssafe2995]

@@DoomKid Idk he continued to go in on it lol

[@danyms4082]

"You're awful David. You invited me on your show just to make fun of me."

[@bondalemecovillage6738]

On the money

[@N8_R]

Im glad Im not the only only who sees it.

[@PBGuacamole]

could this have been his preparing for that?

[@lukehyde7300]

this needs way more likes

[@ebijtelaar]

Wanna hear another joke David?

[@beerjedi1324]

You can see him smirk a couple of times. Great Performance.

[@philpalmer4877]

Letterman later confirmed it was indeed planned and he was made aware of how it would go.

[@EleazarGray]

@@philpalmer4877 where can this be seen?

[@ts1821]

​@@philpalmer4877 I read he didn't know until the end of the interview when they went to commercial and Joaquin leaned in to tell him. They even address it the next time he's on the show.

[@ts1821]

​@@EleazarGrayif you watch his next appearance on the show they confirm that Letterman in fact did NOT know it was an act.

[@eliaskontos1109]

It was featured in phoenix’s mocumentary ‘I’m still here’ where he come up with a plan to convince the media that he lost his mind

[@jmac79ers]

So amazing how he doesn't break character, there are a couple points that you can tell he's really working hard to hold back laughter, hilarious

[@photofinish8607]

No, naturally Dave is not funny. I didn’t laugh.

[@jmac79ers]

@@photofinish8607 I was referring to that hairy fellow, not Dave. It would have been really hard to stay in that character, not laughing at oneself

[@genericusername555]

Brilliant actor. As good as Heath.

[@scottbradford4130]

Lol he almost lost it at the Unabomber joke

[@jmac79ers]

@@scottbradford4130 yeah man, love it!

[@trepabeard]

It's crazy, EVERYONE thought he was completely serious at the time too, but it was all just for his mockumentary which is LEGENDARY!!! Love that movie.

[@andrewellington9503]

Dude literally blew my mind when I found out this was all a mockumentary. 100% commitment. I think him and Casey Affleck were the only ones who knew this was all a 'role' for like a year. Keeping it under wraps for that long was seriously impressive.

[@DodfordYT]

Joaquin aside, this is a masterclass in hosting from Dave Letterman. What a challenge he's faced with here, and where most would crumble under the awkwardness, Dave fully leaned in and resulted in one of the best talk show bits ever

[@switchunboxing]

All the talk shows are rehearsed

[@gidds617]

Na

[@DavidDiulio]

Hop off his meat

[@mattoniy2840]

You say that with such conviction “all talk shows are rehersed” but no actually theyre not. Do you think A listers have time to come and rehearse a talk show. Ive worked on two of these shows at best theres a pre interview questions list thats given to their agent. It never pans out like that. None of it is planned you have no idea what will happen on the night

[@Herocoldfinger]

He was in on the bit😂

[@melaniep6964]

Only someone as talented as Joaquin Phoenix could pull this off. Here we are years later still talking about it. It turned out he was mocking Hollywood but at the time people were convinced that he lost his mind, brilliant, lol!

[@macgeek21]

uh good cover story

[@ccoolstuff1]

And David was hysterical too

[@chosengod5943]

David Letterman is a genius.

[@markl455]

My god! He’s out of his head. And good for him

[@awalktowardsglory]

How was he mocking Hollywood, I don’t get it.

[@jaysparc]

Dave got him to break with the Unabomber comment.

[@ceeaitch11]

That was a part of it. He’s making it realistic. If he has a complete straight face 100%, it would be unbelievable

[@Ror0009]

@@ceeaitch11so you think it was a fake laugh?

[@jasoncora1]

The whole thing was a gag done for a movie called I’m Still Here. Absolutely brilliant! He convinces the world that he has quit acting just to put on a giant act. He made the world his stage and everybody went for it. Talk about taking acting to the next level.

[@johngalush8790]

Andy Kaufman already did it.

[@madeincda]

@@johngalush8790 Man, his name went through my mind as I was checking for replies. You nailed it.

[@_Chris_D_3004]

Thanks for explaining to the 0% who didn't know that

[@stephencarlsbad]

Its been done before. Look up Andy Kaufman. Total legend in this genre. The guy lived this way and went way out of bounds with the gig, well beyond just quitting acting. Joaquin got the idea from Andy, no doubt.

[@ridingwithstymie5371]

Just like like when Ronald Reagan pretended to be a real politician and ACTUALLY GOT ELECTED. Lol! Several times! Many in Hollywood would kill for a role that lasts 16 years.

[@eelcoblaauw6689]

Letterman did such a great job with this. He didn't know Joaquin was gonna pull this stunt but just rolled with it and turned it into something great.

[@Necho-hp6qh]

He actually did, I believe he said it in a podcast no? But even then, he played it really well

[@stemdog]

He said on Howerd Stern he knew ahead of time

[@stellarwind1946]

@@stemdogwhich contradicts what he said in 2010 on Joaquin’s return appearance when he denied any involvement.

[@fateriddle14]

@@stellarwind1946 He was not involved, he just knew

[@gamlisten]

Dave is a disgusting person

[@jayanxiety]

They cut off the ending where he DOES break character. You don't see it here in this clip. After the interview he shakes Dave's hand and says in a friendly manner "Thank you Dave for this opportunity". Casey Affleck, the director of his mockumentry was actually quite angry with Joaquin for "ruining" things by letting Dave in on it.

[@robertmclamb3962]

For me, the most brilliant moment is when Joaquin looks out at the audience laughing at him at 1:27 then lowers his head and breathes an audible sigh. That is sensational acting. It is why people thinking that he was losing it was so plausible at that time.

[@KCJbomberFTW]

You know maybe he just lied about faking it?

[@BuffaloNickel9]

No! the most "Sensational acting" is having most of this KZbin comment section believe this was "acting" and praising a guy who was completely mentally unstable and depressed at the time... It's amazing how all the 🐑 line up to commend this "Sensational actor" for this "brilliant performance" he put on and put him up on a pedestal. Nothing brilliant about a socially awkward and depressed stage of your life. Hollywood breaks a lot of people! it's tough living under the spotlight and celebrities become addicts, mentally unwell, & filled with anxiety and depression. I'm sure most of the GOONS in this comment section would covet Britney Spears for being a "sensational genius" if she told everyone that shaving her head, bashing out windows of cars, and being completely mentally unstable for over a decade was "just an act..." you're an actor or celeb and you do something embarrassing- Hey! just call it an act... 90% of this comment section is the reason an artist can smear a bunch of paint on a canvas in under 60 Seconds and they'll react as if it's "an ingenious masterpiece depicting over 10,000 different feelings and emotions in life.." Again the industry is tough, living under a spotlight in LA will break you down really quickly...

[@dougreed736]

Why would he fake that? He did try rap music at that time and failed.

[@j.c.s5630]

this is real he doesnt want to be there. the show is trivial and hes probably high on some sh** and paranoid thats why hes wearing the glasses.

[@jvjjjvvv9157]

I don't think it seems very plausible, you can even see both of them making pauses for greater comedic effect when the audience is laughing, specially early on in the video. I am of course no expert on mental health, but in some parts of the video I don't think this really looks like a guy who doesn't want to be there. It looks like a guy who wants other people to laugh at him looking awkward. A person who just wants that interview to be over as soon as possible would just look disinterested or maybe insincerely engaged, rather than a sudden let-me-go-put-on-my-Robinson-Crusoe-beard hermit

[@oystershucksters4206]

"Well Joaquin I'm sorry you couldn't be here tonight." Man such a killer line. That's the kind of genius that makes him a legend not just in late night but in comedy as a whole.

[@mcesarey]

Brilliant line from Dave

[@TheAgentAssassin]

I agree but Dave was prepped for this by Phoenix that he was playing a daft character. They both were playing YOU. And here you are years later making this comment. I guess it worked. Congrats to Dave and Phoenix. YOUR comment is proof positive.

[@BigBoss7777777]

@@TheAgentAssassin I bet you thought you were so clever when you wrote this comment. It was actually revealed that Dave did NOT know what was going on. Watch Joaquin’s next appearance on the show where he apologises for playing him for a fool.

[@snap-off5383]

Dave was on fire that night and lit Joaquin up one right after another. "When you take time off, and it seems you're taking a bit of time off tonight. . ." PFFFT! busted me up.

[@JohnnyNation]

Dave was a true Master of Improv !!!###

[@dramado]

Very entertaining interview. I remembered when this first aired, I was convinced JP was gone off the deep end. Looking back now I can see it was just another of his great performances. He did kind of break character at the end when Dave made him laugh for real. Both are amazing talents.

[@goatcheese4me]

you see him at 1:16 straining to hold back a grin, then he cracks at the unibomber joke.

[@TheEeshan]

@@goatcheese4me nice catch!

[@cxoolio]

He breaks multiple times but you can see him quickly look down and reign himself in

[@ronmackinnon9374]

@@cxoolio *rein

[@TheAgentAssassin]

Dude read the comments, people are still falling for it.

[@majorjordan12]

He really shows what we expect from TV from being completely normal. This is exactly like when Andy Kaufman was on.

[@hitekx4065]

Hell yeah! This was very Andy Kaufman-esque!

[@Edub-Winter]

it's a pure tribute to AK. he's trying to be too cool for the room

[@rolfedrengen]

Yeah!

[@bjv93]

SUCH an incredible interview. Getting strong modern day Kaufman vibes. Completely fell for it when it first came out, still so brilliant looking back on it now. The restraint it took not to burst out laughing from Joaquin is God tier.

[@CrescendoJagatai]

Its dumb and edgy and disingenuous and you people eat it up

[@Adamo2JZ]

Dave was actually hilarious too

[@adamcunningham2511]

He totally stole this of kaufman

[@idlyblare]

@@adamcunningham2511it’s hardly stealing anything lol. It’s just method acting

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

Most people are pretty thick and easily fooled so you're not alone.

[@Hmoo424]

This was a shocking interview back then, most of ghe people actually believed that he’s gone insane he was even mocked at the oscars by Ben Stiller. But it was part of movie by Casey Affleck.

[@drsoe08]

It just shows JP is trillion times better as an actor compared to Ben Stiller.

[@alexgrime1880]

so was that movie casey directed a fiction mocumentary??

[@alphadog3586]

​@@alexgrime1880 yeah basically

[@alphadog3586]

​@@drsoe08 Ben Stiller was actually funny in his earlier movies

[@thl205]

@@drsoe08 lol it’s just jokes, why are you taking things so personally on behalf of some celebrity?

[@dagoninfinite]

A masterpiece of awkwardness. The best lettermans interview

[@katnip526]

Dave’s birthday Drew Barrymore 🤫

[@trumphatesyou]

​@Man of Tomorrow It was but the interview was real. Casey used the footage in the movie.

[@MrRogers1219]

Lettermans? This sentence is a masterpiece of poor grammar and punctuation.

[@upturnedblousecollar5811]

​@@MrRogers1219 You know, when World War Three begins, we're all going to come back here and thank you for your grammatical prowess.

[@MrRogers1219]

@@upturnedblousecollar5811I'll be here waiting...

[@jon3113]

Remember Andy Kaufman pulled similar great acts with Dave. Seriously, Dave loved this stuff. Joaquin is a gem.

[@jasonfusaro2170DragonFly]

Sticks his gum under Daves desk, great improv

[@Broformist]

Andy Kauffman was way better at this stuff though. Phoenix seems more awkward than funny.

[@publicspace234]

I love what he's doing. He's challenging everyone in the roles they're playing. Dave, himself, the audience. Dave looks spooked, like he has no idea what to do. He's trying to get everyone to see how silly they are. He's supposed to play the Funny Celebrity with jokes and a story. Dave is supposed to ask basic questions, compliment. I love how Joaquin made him remember and say Gweneth Palytrow's name. (No idea how to spell) Very Brilliant guy

[@dentedilupo81]

he's an idiot.

[@_TheDarkHalf]

Hmm..Thats a lot. You know he's quite literally staying in role for the ''biographical'' satire movie he was about to release?? About his forthcoming ''rap career''???

[@davimelo9181]

Gwyneth. You almost had it

[@purpleabyss2587]

@@davimelo9181 ☝🤓

[@d_geekd]

Alot of times they talk about the bit or what questions they'll ask beforehand, the host and the guest

[@mjfreaklove]

He played the public on his fingers like a pro.THAT'S TALENT RIGHT THERE!!!

[@jamesmccormick875]

He almost cracked a smile, I never notice that until now. As we all know this was Joaquin pulling a rib. People actually thought he was being serious about this.

[@penguinista]

A couple times. Dave surprised him. He passed them off well as a nervous reaction, but I believe it was acting because of the timing of the smiles.

[@Mel.U]

I can't help it; when I search my true impressions and what to make of him, have nothing but love and respect for this fellow Joaquin.

[@emilegeorge6225]

An example of Daves tremendous comedic skills. He was not in on the joke but really gives it to Joaquin. One of his best interviews.

[@siftwram]

He literally said on Stern that he was in on it lol

[@willperza2080]

He literally was in on it.

[@stellarwind1946]

@@siftwram Phoenix has repeatedly denied that Letterman was directly involved, but has also insinuated that Dave always knows what’s going on behind the scenes and was likely tipped off by his producers beforehand.

[@jameshudson169]

dave didn't have tremendous comedic skills so much as a wheelhouse. it was right in dave's wheelhouse.

[@ronmackinnon9374]

@@jameshudson169 He certainly had experience with strange guests before. I remember when Nastassija Kinski was on in the '80s.

[@shyamnair9369]

This still remains the greatest unintended comedic sketches of recent times..'cuticle mishap' and 'I'm sure something fun happened' were the hidden gems

[@RobVespa]

...but it isn't.

[@Zombie-lx3sh]

There was nothing unintended about it. Just good acting.

[@Jordan-tu4ki]

That's infected

[@robo5439]

“We owe Farrah Fawcett and apology!” 😂😂. Another absolute classic line at the end of the interview

[@rb.x]

I don’t get it. 🫤

[@Calvin-ny1pj]

I guess he could have booked Phoenix or Farrah Fawcett that night but chose Phoenix

[@kentborges5114]

Mr. Phoenix does not just act his parts, he becomes them ! RESPECT !

[@rexleeh]

That's called method acting. There's a TON of people that don't need to do that and they're better actors.

[@MajicFreeman]

@@rexleeh shut up dude

[@andrewsuplicki1236]

@@rexleehit’s not that deep bro

[@MikeRotch-ur7sx]

​@@andrewsuplicki1236For these mentally ill actors it is

[@nmraidernation.6092]

"Joaquin sorry you couldn't be here tonight"... CLASSIC DAVE, damn do we miss him on TV!

[@tundradude4894]

“I think you’ve taken some time off tonight “🤣🤣🤣

[@Banana_Split_Cream_Buns]

While no one was as good with Bill Burr or Norm Macdonald as Conan, David Letterman was the only host who could interview guests like this.

[@GregorioStyreco]

conan and lettermen are the mvps of our generation! they both are worldwide treasures. ❤

[@c450-v2b]

charles grodin

[@BAAa-tw7lo]

Craig Ferguson would have handled it with ease.

[@chemicalbrother7613]

Hats off to Letterman on so many levels here. The joke at the very end: "Joaquin, I am sorry you couldn't be here tonight" (7:39) is pure genius of improvisation.

[@maxdanger2402]

Nah Dave's just a moron.

[@TheErika711]

I fell for it 😄 and I was sitting there thinking how is this him....I assisted Joaquin with his dog he adopted from the Shelter I worked he was so sweet and I told him my Dad had voted for him (Dad is an Academy member) he was so grateful.....I told Joaquin he's an amazing actor and deserves to win. Well he proved my point here for sure 😄👍

[@ul-rike1962]

How's the dog?

[@anna_inu]

why does he speak like the joker?

[@user-ks3mk9kq4l]

That's a great story, thanks for sharing!

[@marie60790]

I think he's got to be a method actor.

[@TELEVISIONARCHIVES]

Well, this doesn't show it but when this was originally broadcast he broke character at the end of it and stood up and removed his glasses, and thanked David for playing along with it. The Director that was filming this bit for the movie wasn't happy with him (Ben Affleck).

[@KevinMcAssaler]

I feel like after this interview he came up with the idea for the climax of Joker

[@GEMININFJ]

i concur

[@ST-xg3gy]

Considering Dave's mighty beard he is sporting now, seems like a legit beard question.

[@hollabklyn7]

Paul's laugh at 6:42 is priceless and so authentic. You could tell he was thinking "set up the clip.....yeah good luck with that!"

[@notsure1969]

It's a great laugh.

[@tregona25]

"You know that seems unlikely" - the timing of Dave's quote is just superb!

[@-SunGod-]

I remember the night this aired, I went ahead on the guide and saw that Joaquin was going to be a guest on letterman. All I knew about him was from seeing him in Gladiator, so I was interested to tune in and see how he was as a person. I was not disappointed. I laughed my ass off!

[@ladgrove]

"I'm sorry you couldn't be here tonight" is perfection

[@simplord3708]

How do you watch Joker's climactic scene and not think back to this interview? Brilliance!

[@markcarter1548]

truth!

[@DodongoManoof]

*FART*

[@RatedRcny]

@@DodongoManoof lmfaooo

[@tyrikforsythe981]

This is called foreshadowing

[@theaquariancontrarian3316]

Props to letterman for carrying the whole interview 🤣🤣🤣

[@derrickdiggs8612]

His back must have hurt afterwards.

[@93Jubilee]

yeah, he was put in a terrible situation as a host here.

[@ianalyzeeverysecondiexist]

It's up there with some of the greatest interviews on Letterman. Love it when Paul Shaffer starts to laugh and Joaquin goes "are you serious?", and Paul just keeps on laughing🤣

[@arr0gant1]

Andy Kaufman was still the best

[@ThePeej]

This is an absolutely legendary late night segment.

[@MichaelGlasson]

Joaquin I'm sorry you couldn't be here tonight

[@lex28lush10]

And he said it after he cleared his throat and then said it ever so politely ..

[@RyanGBB88]

Its cool how hes using the tension built up in him resisting to laugh in order to ad more angst to the characters persona

[@daveg695]

Gotta admit, they really got me with this one when it first aired. I though Joaquin had cracked.

[@Anuskasv0]

This might be the best Letterman interview ever.

[@f-mt5784]

I'm so glad that Joaquin was brave enough to ask why the Audience is always laughing even when things are serious and not funny, it has always puzzled me.

[@Sc-Runner]

He was doing a bit, so is it actually brave of him to ask why the audience was laughing at him?

[@harrisonclark4382]

They’re laughing because they are nervous. They’re not sure what to make of what’s happening.

[@327Erich]

Awkward breeds uncomfortable laughter. Always has.

[@DaneOrschlovsky]

Joaquin and Dave pulled it off brilliantly, people are still falling for it today 😂

[@jiffjiffernson7292]

7:38 the tell

[@artimp152]

Was Dave in on it?

[@DaneOrschlovsky]

@@artimp152 Nooooo way, absolutely not!

[@8WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot8]

David Letterman is a tool & I mean that in the most literal sense. He's a "used platform", a "puppet with a stage" that's utilized in stuff ppl don't want to hear about.

[@artimp152]

@@8WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot8 so you dislike Dave a little bit?

[@mrrogers88]

"Inviting me on the show... You just wanted to laugh at me"

[@musicjunk8266]

When you’ve been asked to go somewhere you never wanted to go, to talk to someone you don’t care for, about things only they want to talk about, to impress people you don’t know.

[@ryanclayton6496]

It was an advertisement for his next movie mate. It was all a gag.

[@NamathCB]

Letterman was the King once Jonny retired and easy to see why. He was always my favorite, such a master at what he did. Great job Dave!

[@ErinWalker-je4vw]

I am nostalgic for when late night tv 📺 was fun like this. You never knew what the guests would do.🤣

[@ion_iot]

This should go down as Joaquin's finest performance ever

[@GangIrish]

the joker

[@nexminute9880]

Joaquin WILL go down as a legend, truely a talented mind, and gifted soul.

[@poppycock6572]

Dave's timing is second to none.

[@upturnedblousecollar5811]

Such a naturally quick-witted and funny bloke.

[@fictitiousproductions]

Joaquin crushes Dave here, has him backpeddling the whole time, non of Dave's tricks / charm work with Joaquin... it's pretty amazing...

[@eastchesterjester]

I remember watching this live. It was truly surreal

[@izzy8246]

how was your experience. I have so many questions.

[@constantinossmith3241]

Joaquin Phoenix, such an amazing actor. The first time I saw him was in gladiator, the character he played was so so dislikable that after watching gladiator I couldn't stand looking at his face. That's how good he was at playing the villain. Now he is one of my favorite actors of all time. But I had to watch him in Buffalo Soldiers "2001" to be able to stand to watch him in a movie again. :P

[@awalktowardsglory]

He was brilliant in “Joker” 2019

[@KristiContemplates]

I still can't see him after 'Gladiator', except in 'Signs' (and only if it's raining).

[@riograul2043]

The Master is good

[@ronmackinnon9374]

@@riograul2043 Yes, he and Philip Seymour Hoffman gave great performances in 'The Master.'

[@riograul2043]

@@ronmackinnon9374 the plot is really good too, it's not just some weird backdrop for a historical story, it also has a very compelling interaction between the two characters, with really good backstories for both of them too

[@TheBrettWilson]

This is cut short. About 2 seconds later he removed his sunglasses and shook Letterman's hand and it basically told everyone, right there and then, that it was all just an act (confirmed when it was part of his movie I'm Still Here).

[@donhailer4994]

I totally remember that. As they went to commercial.

[@mrwassef]

Yea he said Casey was piiiiiiiised at him for doing that haha.

[@matthanneman7511]

good to know

[@liverpoolfcx7]

Yeah because taking your sunglasses off and shaking someone’s hand really tells a lot in the context of the whole interview

[@futeramonfuturamet4830]

What was with the sunglasses anyways?😎🕶

[@georgemirnich33]

I remember watching this interview in 2009, thinking, Joaquin lost his fucking mind. Didn't know it was all an act.

[@skankytrick]

I literally felt the same exact way.

[@garrethenderson9695]

Love Paul going "That's infected." Hilarious.

[@Shane661]

The fact that people don't know this was an acting performance, to this day...is wild. It is well-documented.

[@SuperRobertoClemente]

It was all just a hype job for a movie. What a bore.

[@michaeljames4630]

false

[@Jamofluffy]

Im English, I’ve never even heard of Letterman, that’s why I didn’t know he was acting!

[@someguybreaks]

7:40 One of Letterman's all-time burns.

[@samuellp1146]

hahaha

[@stellarwind1946]

It looked like for a second Joaquin may have thought Dave blew his cover with that remark.

[@christopherquigley5468]

Dave is awesome. I love how he can just take this and run with it and make it hilarious. I don’t think this would have worked with a lot of other late night hosts.

[@jimkleinhans6103]

Dave insulted him right off the bat, and the ran with it when he said he was uncomfortable

[@righttobearwalls]

I'm going to destroy him

[@righttobearwalls]

@Fresh handle interviewing someone dealing with a dissociative disorder? He handled this entirely wrong, if you felt comfortable watching this you're gutless cause it was excruciating to watch

[@righttobearwalls]

Actors like Dave will take any position as long as they are in control of it. That's the secret behind shows like his

[@nagualdesign]

@@righttobearwalls Where did you get your diploma, Dr Whorton? Joaquin is _acting._

[@whited63]

Absolute classic one of the funniest interviews ever. We need Letterman to come back but this time Joaquin interviews Letterman and asks what’s going on with the beard Dave?

[@Prakashed]

Letterman is dead Derek (Insert JP face here)

[@whited63]

@@Prakashed uhhm, no he ain’t. Where did you get that idea?

[@gregj6648]

yeah but what you don't get is that this isn't really an act ... it's an awesome display of how Letterman made the best of it, but this should be put in a time capsule on the precursors of when mankind changed on how artists were perceived. Interviews, public persona, and now IG and online social presence are the primary job. Being an actual artist now is obviously now a far distant secondary ... this interview will be even more relevant in a few years when everything really is just completely fake and all real artists are all just forgotten homeless people.

[@kimmolaine8069]

It's so funny that the audience is laughing unprompted all the time. Joaquin nailed it. :)

[@MrMaddzkillz]

Dave’s facial expressions gets me every time 😂

[@davidnguyen4707]

Dave Chappelle saw the sheer genius of Joaquin when everybody else thought the worst of him.

[@liamritter7211]

You do realize that this is David Letterman not Dave Chappelle

[@davidnguyen4707]

@@liamritter7211 i am very much aware that this is David Letterman, I was referring to a 3-hour stand up set that Dave Chappelle did, he basically said Joaquin on Letterman was genius. Highly recommend that you check it out

[@IowaMan]

@@davidnguyen4707 nice

[@thatfunkyduck]

@@davidnguyen4707 hey Dave, it's actually Dave letterman, not Dave Chappelle. It's a pretty easy mistake to make since they look so similar, though.

[@aw2589]

@@thatfunkyduck lmao

[@liverpoolfcx7]

Considering letterman wasn’t in on the joke, the whole “sorry you couldn’t be here tonight” line is really amazing with the documentary being called ‘I’m still here’

[@youreyesandmine]

Umm...Letterman was in on the joke, but yeah I thought it was real:)

[@NotDuncan]

@@youreyesandmine Back on Letterman, Phoenix dismissed the notion that the pair had been in cahoots last year. "Did I know anything about this? Was there a script that you and I were working with?" Letterman asked. "No," said Phoenix. Letterman admitted he had been perturbed by Phoenix's behaviour, saying: "It's like you hit your head in the tub."

[@Calvin-ny1pj]

Wow

[@professorpancakes6545]

One of the best interviews ever.

[@naybother]

He plays it just right here. Stand-off, but not threatening, moody, but light of heart still.

[@Julien-iq7mm]

Looking at this interview... It's mind-blowing, can't help to compare this to his Joker scene with De Niro!! What a tremendous actor

[@PipByMac]

I don't think I was mature enough to understand what was going on here, the first time I saw the interview. I love it, now!

[@sethbriars2042]

Can you tell me what’s going on? He’s just acting normal? So he’s not acting which is an act itself?

[@NotDuncan]

@@sethbriars2042 well, for one he’s not giving Letterman anything to work with and doing his best to hide any reactions.

[@bbrr8033]

One of the best examples of childish passive aggression on KZbin ever.

[@Muddybuddie]

"What do you gas 'em up with?" had me rolling. Great interview!

[@markoportuondo7375]

Sameeee!!! 🤣

[@lauriidoesstuff]

anyone here from the bill cipher/gravity falls website????

[@networkdude1332]

This is gold. My question is was Joaquin playing a character? I remember this phase ....... when he made the rap album. Was that all an act? What was up with that? People thought he lost it. Some people thought it was an act. Did he ever say? Then out of nowhere he did Joker and was back on top.

[@jr2904]

It was all an act

[@JKnuckles]

It was an act, I believe JP used footage from this appearance for the movie I'm Still Here. Not sure if Dave was in on it though.

[@dmcdmc]

the unibomber joke cracked him lol

[@lovemenot82]

Oh the anxiety I understand man the way he was acting is me everyday it like that when I goto the store or disney its tough living in a world that people think your so perfect but your everything but mentally . To me your phenomenal and JOKER is fantastic

[@R_A120]

Its an act

[@tomallen5837]

@@R_A120 "....sucka!"

[@user-uh5tb9er4o]

i agree, he's uncomfortable, and its not a bit... shocking-not shocking that 99% of the commentors are unable to see the body language and affect is conveying genuine distress... when you listen to his interviews with his family, you hear that they are not conventional hollywood stars... they keep it extremely real

[@aardvarkmindshank]

He’s just such an amazing actor.

[@davidbobb6226]

This is really one of the best Letterman interviews ever.

[@bennettdickmann1602]

The real loss is David’s decision to leave show business.

[@laughsalot6847]

In my eyes Joaquin outsmarted everyone and made Dave, and the audience look so bad. HE IS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!

[@yelbastianannastasia9516]

Joaquin Phoenix, he is not acting, he's confused, he truly lost he's mind and gone mad

[@Beth-mi2hf]

​@@yelbastianannastasia9516wrong

[@zephinhmusic6766]

​@@yelbastianannastasia9516it was for a movie🤦 the fact that you believed it just goes to show how good of an actor he is lmao

[@marty2090]

​@@zephinhmusic6766 You are incredibly credulous. It's an obvious lie to salvage his reputation.

[@thubtenmunsel8873]

“…I think you’re taking a little time off tonight…”

[@lex28lush10]

And he wouldn't care less what everyone else think ... seemed like he's in the world of his own existence... .in his own mind

[@WokeStones]

Longest 7 min interview I ever watched and I enjoyed every awkward second of it 😅

[@rahulneupane9494]

When he said “Did you gas them up with nitros?” I think he was serious. I had never thought about that. This industry is so messed up now I think they gas them up with nitros to make them laugh more and make the show more engaging to the viewers

[@paradigm_sh1ft532]

After seeing Joker, I bet Dave thought that interview went pretty well

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

Dave was on fire with his wit

[@Theaddora]

Classic performance by both of them. My husband and I died laughing!!

[@kensellar]

You could tell that Dave knew he had gold here and just ran with it. Every pause he made was loaded with hilarity. One of the best clips ever from Letterman. Even though it was all an act on the part of Joaquin, it's so much fun.

[@jordankelley6005]

Joaquin: Hey Dave, want to hear a joke?

[@michelnarvaez2615]

The way Letterman handles the whole interview is so professional. He was so good at it. I miss him. Kimmel and Fallon ought to really learn from Letterman.

[@-C.S.R]

Dave was so funny he was laughing at his own jokes! They were coming so quick! He even made Paul turn into Ed McMahon! 😂

[@SomeOldBoxingBouts]

One of my favourite actors. First saw him in 8MM with Nicolas Cage. He was an Absolutely class bad guy in Gladiator also.

[@pkrook71]

“Parenthood” back in 1989-1990 was the first time I saw Joaquin. Just a kid back then, but with undeniable talent. Unbelievable cast btw, especially for a comedy.

[@svetoslavromanov5677]

Simply amazing, that's Oscar-worthy performance. Phoenix is pure talent!

[@calarch78]

Sean Hayes brought me here. This interview is amazing. I love Dave’s ability to get little digs in when people are misbehaving.

[@PlatoCave]

One priceless moment in TV history.