LNSM Turns 10: David Letterman and Seth Meyers Celebrate 40 Years of Late Night

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Late Night with Seth Meyers on February 24, this week we're highlighting one clip from each year the show has been on the air.
From February 1, 2022: David Letterman reflects on the 40th anniversary of NBC's Late Night franchise before discussing shooting Late Night at home and having his mom join him on TV.
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LNSM Turns 10: David Letterman and Seth Meyers Celebrate 40 Years of Late Night - Late Night with Seth Meyers
• LNSM Turns 10: David L...
Late Night with Seth Meyers
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[@nicholasbique4361]

I love the fact that they’re sort of interviewing each other. It’s a masterclass of late night television.

[@joshburns5229]

It truly is

[@dslao]

Just as The Tonight Show was about to go to commercial, Johnny Carson leaned over to Dave when he was a guest and said we should have lunch one of these days. Typical anti-social Dave replied: And do what, interview each other? True story.

[@timfriday9106]

yeah it was very much just a conversations, rather than an interview.

[@alumpyhorse]

Late to the party, just love this

[@avisitorhere]

Seth throws on a suit and gets his hair done for Dave. That's a real fan boy

[@timearle3329]

Much noticed and much enjoyed!! Lol!!

[@sharongarrett4356]

Love it.

[@bcx1138]

I think he’s faking the reverence

[@dielaughing73]

Obviously, otherwise he'd have a big bushy beard! ​@@bcx1138

[@goodlookatatbone7301]

This interview is from 2 years ago

[@jeancameron9474]

I can't describe my love for David Letterman. All the years of laughter on his wonderful show. It was a joy.♥️

[@sderoski1]

Dave helped so many musical performers be seen and heard. Thanks, Dave!

[@archmage_of_the_aether]

When Dave spoke about how great his band was... I thought, "hm, I don't remember Seth ever bringing attention to his band" then i wondered, "so, is this the subtlest of Dave disses?" In reflection.... i think maybe

[@Madman007]

The band should have played a Warren Zevon song for Dave. ♥

[@AC3handle]

It's because of Dave I realized Future Islands. I had heard some of their music before, but never realized who they were. Then they show up there, and the singer with his gruff but sweet voice, and his...dancing. They even came out with a new album recently.

[@LapsedPacifist79]

We were only peripherally aware of Letterman here in England pre internet but vhs tapes of his musical guests used to make the rounds. Really loved the way he championed people outside the mainstream like Sonic Youth. If you want a treat look up Alanis Morrisette, You oughta know. She was just starting out and she really puts her back into it, bonus points for the departed Taylor Hawkins on drums.

[@JJJZANESVILLE2]

I'm US, Kentucky. Me and my wife of 30 years (her third, my second) loved watching Dave Together across the bed years ago. He was outrageous, full of obstinance and rebellion and strangeness...all he could get away with . He was like no other late night host....at all.

[@jam1870utube]

David Letterman, Comedian, talk show extraordinaire and unintentional inventor of competitive hatchet throwing leagues. He's my talk show GOAT. 🐐

[@archmage_of_the_aether]

Letterman and Conan, two sides of different coins of exchangeable denominations. Neither political. Both smrt

[@DavidSmith-xs3or]

Letterman is such a natural conversationalist with such an easy, laid back sense of humor. Letterman could always take trivial subject matter and make it very interesting.

[@jam1870utube]

@@archmage_of_the_aether I really love Conan too.

[@Madman007]

Legend is another name for that!

[@Plisken65]

Ed Ames threw a tomahawk on Johnny Carson, with hilarious results! Are we allowed to say tomahawk now?😂😂😂

[@marjieestivill]

My pet snapping turtle and I auditioned for Letterman’s Stupid Pet Tricks. What a memory, about 70 people with all kinds of weird critters sitting in line, showing off their tricks. By the time most of us got on stage, our pets were totally overfed and apathetic during the taping…and my comatose turtle and I were shown on the local news that night, with me dangling a nightcrawler and begging him to sit up (he was able to stand on his back legs, balancing on his long tail as a tripod.) I adore Dave. He used to be the Indianapolis weatherman before he got famous…

[@sharongarrett4356]

There are no words to express how much this man's existence meant to my growing up. From throwing things off a roof to the velcro wall, to all the crazy animal visits and nutty guests, from "Just Lamps" to "Just Bulbs" and the Hello Deli, and of course, so, SO many incredible musical guests I would not otherwise have known & loved , his show enhanced my life remarkably much. Always funny, never unprofessional, an Aries with a bad neck, much beloved, this man. Thank you much Seth for the way you fill those shoes each night, and for putting on a suit for this treasured soul. ❤

[@embracedmadness]

Aww, thanks for reminding me of the Hello Deli… good times

[@shokmail3875]

Omg two legends reminiscing. It does not get better than this. Letterman remains an epic comic genius! Thank u Seth for making this happen.

[@ejayxray]

I remember seeing Letterman’s morning show as a kid and thinking it was truly brilliant & groundbreaking. He and his team were truly the progenitors of so much of the good media we’ve seen in the last 40 years.

[@Dowdhead]

No one will ever come close to Dave. Truly the GOAT of late night television. Still kills me to this day. Funniest dude.

[@tiki_trash]

I used to watch his daytime show. It was nothing like anything else on TV. I've been a big fan ever since. He always had the best musical guests.

[@georgepapoulias3562]

I remember watching Letterman in the 90s after his move to CBS every Friday night and every night during the summer while I was in high school.

[@Dowdhead]

I remember watching Letterman every night, EVERY night, at like 11:30pm before going to bed here in Australia after Sports Tonight probably from the age of like 16 through until whenever he stopped, when I was 26 or something? When I was younger, I used to actually think his studio sat overlooking the bridges, like some kinda enemy secret lair or something. Was in New York the year he wrapped up and was so lucky to get to go on the show. One of the best days of my life. Dave forever.

[@Plisken65]

His NBC show was consistently hilarious. CBS show got bitter and political.

[@JacobElyachar]

David Letterman will always be my all-time favorite Late Night host! However, Late Night with Seth Meyers is my favorite Late Night show of this era!! Congratulations to Seth, Amber, Jenny, and the entire ‘Late Night with Seth Meyers’ crew and creative team for reaching 10 years!!!

[@ringbling420]

Dave is my comedy hero, thanks for so many years of laughs Dave!

[@ichrisho]

Classy that Seth wore a suit to meet Dave - props.

[@richardb6260]

Or because it was the 40th anniversary of the show.

[@Autotrope]

Looks like you are right. Seth had been suitless since returning to live audiences in October 2021 and since then, this interview (in February 2022) is to my knowledge the only time he's done a show in a suit. There was also an episode where John Mulvaney forced Seth to put on a suit as a bit.

[@Kaisersozze]

Dave is killing it with his style ever since he retired.

[@bonniejosavland3227]

Well he’s cleaned up that beard 😂

[@christopherporter2459]

​@@bonniejosavland3227 no!!! I loved his look as Crystal Meth Santa

[@bonniejosavland3227]

@@christopherporter2459 😜😭

[@2pugshakur50]

Letterman is a comedy wizard.He’s just funny and just a good dude

[@steverussell7005]

this timeslot gave us three amazing people pretty much

[@imdankarlin]

Three amazing people, and also Jimmy Fallon was there 🤣

[@ericgen5022]

Dave comes on shows and becomes the interviewer. And he always seems to do it in a respectful, complimentary way. He now honors other people.

[@sesa2984]

Somebody who reads these, please tell Seth how much this means to me. I watched Dave every night, even as my world and family crumbled around me. He provided a constant. This is my favorite of all time, with my current favorite.

[@PerspectiveEngineer]

Glad you made it... people like Dave made us Care about people we never knew. Hope your world is good.

[@JeffMartinEquinox]

I remember as a kid staying up late past Johnny Carson to watch Letterman, he was so funny and different. Wearing the wrestling shoes, the top 10 lists, the music, stupid pet tricks, stupid human tricks, interviewing various local businesses, .... all great stuff. Would get in trouble half the time for staying up so late.

[@andrewseow7791]

Legendary Gentleman 💕💕💕

[@fdmantube]

I recorded the show on our vcr everynight and it was a afterschool delight for me - my mom didn't really get it

[@Dee-x9f]

This interview made me so happy! I remember watching the first episode of Late Night with David Letterman on a portable black and white TV in my dorm room, sophomore year. I was having a miserable time of it at college, but watching Dave and team creatively subvert mainstream TV talk show tropes each night with prank calls, zany bits (velcro!), Larry Bud and Chris Elliot made me feel like there might be a place in the this world for my edgy weirdness. And, as it turns out, there was and it did!

[@patriciamurfitt4590]

OMG 😮. I forgot about Larry Bud and his toast on a stick 😂😂😂

[@robertTUBEbrazeau]

please enjoy a hot towel..

[@jonshields5649]

I want more Dave. I didn't start watching him until after his tenure ended and now everytime I see him I cheer up

[@akshelby33]

I loved David Letterman more than any talk show host at the time. Now I love Seth more than any other talk show host. You both are brilliant.

[@spacecentergames]

Grew up with Dave, and Seth has carried on the torch well 🔥

[@stevepatrickjarvis]

I am glad Letterman is still around.

[@hew195050]

David Letterman has the most sincere smile. Love him. Good man.

[@kjmav10135]

That was priceless. Thank you.

[@1in6win]

David Letterman is kind of the last man standing from the original era of Late Night television. Always love listening to him talk and tell a joke.

[@PerspectiveEngineer]

Ya know The interview I had tears in my eyes but your comment made one fall. Thanks

[@FlowerofDissolution]

Jon Stewart did return though. Not sure you count him in your original quota, but, for some of these old guys, you can't count them off from returning!

[@brianmccabe1263]

We happened to be in New York, and were lucky enough to attend this show, so cool!

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

"She died doing what she loved: sleeping" 😂😂🤣

[@dielaughing73]

Doesn't get better than that

[@stevepatrickjarvis]

I know that when I die I hope it will be sleeping too heh.

[@gregbear123]

This caught me off guard 😂 hilarious

[@ericvanvlandren8987]

An absolute legend. Watched him for thirty years. Had a huge influence on my life. Thank you Dave.

[@popoutandshowem]

I could watch these two all day!!

[@KingVikram]

This is what it looks like when your teacher comes to your workplace and you are your best self that day! BTW, Dave looks like he can step back into the game without breaking a sweat. No one could follow Carson because he was so aloof but Dave was generous enough to share his talents and help the ones who followed him. Which is why you see a lot more shades of Dave in late night than Carson.

[@madnessbydesignVria]

I remember the daytime show - it was glorious. There was nothing else like it, and I was devastated when it was cancelled. When he started Late Night, it was also glorious. He really changed late night TV for the better... :)

[@Canuckmom128]

I adore Dave Letterman. When he speaks about Harry he is just so full of love for his son - it’s beyond sweet. I hope Dave lives long enough to be a Granddad…he will lose his mind. Funny, charming, witty, erudite gentlemen - both Dave and Seth. Awesome.

[@JamesAllmond]

as a guy who is a grand dad, finally, yeah, he will....

[@andreajohnson1212]

I learned a new word today, erudite. And I agree fully with everything stated. What a gem of a human.

[@GS-gu7nz]

Seth, your lockdown show with your delightful kids was great. It caught me and many in the UK in the Meyers net that we have stuck with! One of the few covid plus points!

[@CarbonTech19]

I was in my mid-20's, working a monthly swing shift at an aircraft plant, with VCR's still on the horizon, when I accidentally found Dave's morning show during a month of afternoon shifts. Hooked immediately. That summer/fall I watched every episode my shifts permitted and was PO'd when it got cancelled-no 500 channels then, lol. Then, a year and bit later, Late Night! Still remember hyping Dave up to my all coworkers, based entirely on his morning show. I knew he was going to deliver. When he finally premiered, he did as promised. They all cheered me for turning them on to him and put me on their shoulders as they carried me around the town while shouting my praise for being just so gosh darn discerning.😂 Seriously, most of them liked it from day one and it became a water cooler show for a lot of us.

[@elizamccroskey1708]

I had pneumonia that summer and his show absolutely got me through it. Coughing and laughing was the best treatment

[@pauljansen1137]

And a great 40 years of fantastic television it has been!!

[@TrumbullComic]

Dave's shock at Seth not having an Animal Guy.

[@LindaC616]

It's crossed my mind before

[@wgrandbois]

Didn't they have one and then feel like the animals were super not enjoying themselves?

[@Fantasyremix]

That is completely genuine. It would be such a foreign concept to him to not have one. A couple levels below not having a monologue, but the same idea.

[@felipooooo5]

That would be so great and refreshing

[@beawriting]

I grew up with Dave. No one compares. It;s great that his voice sounds exactly the same.

[@suek6477]

Yes, and he looks exactly the same whiter thinner, but that voice and is sharp as a tack still

[@shelleymartin1451]

Oh, respect. Seth is dressed up for David.

[@felicitousfeline9956]

Dave is so much more gracious than I thought he was based on his show persona.

[@deed3211]

❤ wall of velcro. Yhank you David.

[@denisejackson8485]

Seth looks so handsome all dressed up! 🎉

[@ErynRenee]

When I feel sad, I watch the Jack Hanna compilations. I'm a Columbus native and Jack is a local legend. He retired because he has dementia, but he will always be my favorite animal guy. A few years back, he drove past me on a golf cart at the zoo, and it was a lovely memory I'll never forget.

[@bruwin]

I just read that he doesn't even recognize his family anymore. Alzheimers is such a cruel disease. I have such fond memories of him coming on Dave's show and scaring the ever loving piss out of Dave.

[@TheProppShop]

It warms my heart that Dave still rips on 'Jungle' Jack Hanna 🤣

[@Babygottaeat249]

Really enjoyed this interview. Seth’s show is getting better he seems like a genuine guy

[@kimhansen24]

Dave is just the best!!! ❤❤ so kind and sweet

[@DTension]

I was an avid watcher of Carson and then would go to bed. One night this other show came on and I fell in love with it within minutes. Dave is the man.

[@davidmckay9552]

DAVID LETTERMAN IS SUCH A HEAVY DUDE ... I LOVE TO HEAR HIM LAUGH

[@andyh4518]

The day Dave retired I can imagine him looking at his razor and thinking well, I won't be needing this anymore!

[@patriciamurfitt4590]

Dave's Mom was my one of my favorite bits😅

[@TammeraFreno]

🎉🎉🎉🎉2 Greats!! ❤❤

[@3HenKiss]

I loved things like elevator races. Or when he called people in the building across the street who sat in windows you could see. Such silliness.

[@pauljimenez2799]

Dave's Late Night was the best of its kind. Dave as a broadcaster, the quality of the band, the intelligence of Hal's direction, and the level of the writing was orders of magnitude stronger than anything since, especially Seth. To see them talking as equals is grating to me.

[@momcatwoo]

I LOVED the morning show AND Dave’s first late night show.

[@sneifert1968]

I can never un-hear the phrase, “crystal meth Santa Clause” every time I see a Letterman interview.😂

[@lisas5211]

From 2 Ferns right?? That slayed me!!!!!!

[@christopherporter2459]

Yes!!!! I thank you for bringing this up! God I love Zack Galifyanasksis

[@TZ1000-zu7ki]

That was wonderful. Dave and Seth, it doesn't get better than that.

[@Chironicus]

These two are kindred souls. Seth Meyers is the only true successor in Late Night. He's always genuinely interested in his guests, truly amused and curious. The Best.

[@freeversejams]

David Letterman has made me laugh more than everyone else in my life combined. I watched his show only occasionally while he was on the air (played in a rock band and raised a family), so it's nice to watch episodes on KZbin.

[@lakeluv195]

What an incredibly kind and humble man ❤

[@Bxr12]

That was amazing to watch. Incredible to see an absolute icon of my generation (born 1972) look back on his career with introspection yet I watched it happen in real time. Dave Letterman fumbled so Seth could also fumble and both have reached insane levels of showmanship and grace while doing so. Cheers to both of you 🥂

[@WendyDahling3]

Wow , I could watch the two of them every day! Thank you both for a lot of laughs!!!

[@VideoNozoki]

SETH, I'm glad we have YOU now. I was a huge Letterman fan back in the day. But I am very happy with the show Seth has created (in his own style, including his staff, including us the audience in corrections, etc.). Dave was great. Seth is great in his own way. I'm glad you're here!

[@alumpyhorse]

hey fellow jackal 👋🐾💙

[@Fishrokk]

I had forgotten about Jack Hannah! I don't begrudge you retirement one bit, Dave, but seeing you again makes me realize just how much I missed you. Excellent interview, Seth. Thanks for having him.

[@tungstun1977]

These were the days before instant gratification. Where you had to hold in all those emotions till you got home. No texting support. No psych app. Just you and your feelings until you found a real shoulder or switched on Mr Letterman. Thanks Dave. All these years later, thanks.

[@MikeWood]

Grew up and grew old watching a lot of Dave. Always good to see him being Dave. :)

[@iorn9814]

Wait a minute Seth took over David letterman’s old spot man….. he’s great

[@TheHuxleyAgnostic]

Dave - Conan - Fallon - Seth ... and weirdly, only Fallon, who is the least funny, got moved up to the Tonight Show ... so far.

[@derekmeade1741]

@@TheHuxleyAgnosticI mean Conan did get the Tonight Show… for like 8 months lol

[@demitasse22]

This is a delight. Late night TV has been so important to me. Thanks Dave

[@leefi1]

David, I never missed your morning show, in fact, my friend Betty and I often watched together over the phone, sharing laughs! We hated losing you and Willard, you made mornings so much fun!

[@salvadorvega4734]

Love David. Love Seth. Congrats!

[@andrewseow7791]

Thank you Dave you are a super legend 💕💕💕God Bless ❤❤❤from Australia 🤗🤗🤗

[@eileennovak1656]

All the hours of entertainment from David Letterman, and now, Seth. Life is good.

[@Syl-Vee]

Dave Letterman's morning show was hilarious. As traveling musicians, we got to watch every episode, and were really sad when the show disappeared! Later (when we had kids and watched night time tv) the night time show never hit it with us as well as that morning show. He's always been good. Thanks for having him on.

[@jamestragle9504]

Dave, entertaining as ever. I loved his mother's contributions to the show.

[@Sem5626]

its all the little things between these 2 and a lot of long time late night hosts like how Seth waited for Dave to sit down, just so much respect between them for how much Dave contributed to the format

[@zodjenkins2595]

David is still so great and so funny, not another person who is like him. 😊

[@theparkinglotcities]

It's always a goddamn delight to see Letterman

[@judydoyle1124]

How sweet that Seth wore a suit

[@jbtpa895]

I loved the morning show ,Dave! My son was born in February 1980. I spent every morning with an infant and you!

[@ablebacon]

I love Seth had the tact to not give the very noble reason why he didn’t have an animal person on his show.

[@LindaC616]

Or maybe he's not comfortable around animals

[@aquariuswithfire]

Harry called me and said "Do your story..." Cracked me AND Dave up! They're both the best. I have to stay up way past my bedtime to watch Seth but he's worth it.

[@DAYANKEES45]

this was a great interview

[@hh987ish]

❤❤❤❤😂😂😂😂 Thank you Mr. LETTERMAN. First saw you on t.v. in Boston when I was 5 years old and my dad was a struggling pianist grad student at Boston University and my mom sang with Boston Pops with John Williams. We watched every night and that kept us going. Now I'm 36 with 3 kids. So fun to see you on late night again.❤❤😂😂😂😂😂

[@DigiRangerScott]

Seth going casual on his wardrobe was one of the best things he ever did. And so was dropping the standing monologue, as cowardly as it seemed at first

[@xcompatible8433]

I would agree. while i do think there is some value in the old format of the show, seth excelled at weekend update while at SNL and that was him mostly behind a desk cracking jokes

[@sporer_]

What was cowardly about it? Not asking combatively, but wasn't an avid watcher around that time

[@DigiRangerScott]

@@sporer_ Just that it looked like he couldn’t do what his peers were doing

[@SharpCinema]

He still does a short standing monologue for the studio audience before the show every night

[@DigiRangerScott]

@@SharpCinema But we at home don’t see that!

[@maryalicecoleman4661]

I love David Letterman. I remember his silly show in the mornings. Then late night and the talk show… he’s a legend.

[@davidsharp3110]

David Letterman, been following you since 1980 on the late morning show. Still funny as ever.

[@williamsaunders979]

I don’t think I have ever laughed so hard in my life loved it thank you Dave and Seth

[@melvinwren]

my favorite part about dave and jack, was yeah, it was apparent that jack may not have known EVERYTHING that david would ask, but after awhile it actually became evident, that dave was actually learning a lot from hanna.

[@GrantKanigan]

Two 🐐’s

[@philrabe910]

13:00 Elevator races was something we decided to add as elective courses while at art university. Riding on top of the elevator cabs that is.

[@georgeannparish392]

God I miss David. Love you too Seth

[@RobVespa]

This was wonderful. 💙Letterman. Seth is nice, too.

[@Methuselah51272]

I miss Dave, such a master.

[@Comedy4cast]

Between this appearance and Dave on The Late Show recently, you get to see both his impact on late night, and the shear love and respect both Seth and Stephen have for the man that birthed both of their shows. Also, Dave's still got it. Great stuff.

[@peterbathum2775]

you and your show saved my sanity during covid, seth ; always, but especially then

[@jeffreyphillips7312]

Dave still stands at the end of the segment and claps, forgetting that he's the guest and not the host. Old habits, love it

[@johnchessant3012]

congrats on 10 years!

[@jeanmkaufmann]

I remember the elevator race! Dave was such a hoot. 😆🇨🇦

[@musickid43]

David Letterman and Craig Ferguson were such goofballs that made me laugh so much I would wake up my family.

[@paulreiche2746]

A special treat for my kids (who are now 40, 45 and 50) was to stay up for Dave! To show our parental style, they also listened to Howard Stern and Imus during the commute to Christian school. Moderation in all things! Now in my mid 70s I fall asleep to Seth-----the circle of life. My fav Dave skit-----Bob Barrett, 'Big Game Hunter' ( Bob is a close friend ) ------ and worth looking up on KZbin...

[@EventHorrorEyesOn]

This is why I rarely slept as a child. I could never resist David Letterman.