Staff Favorite Moments: Writer Dave Rygalski | Letterman

[@TheGreatAtario]

At the time, I felt bad for Calvert. Hilarious to learn he played the "do you know who I am" card

[@privatepenguin3137]

I love the Larry Bud trip to South America and remember it very well. I believe the large wooden sign blew off the side of the RV at one point and endangered other motorists. Then I recall Chris Elliott doing a parody of the tour around Christmas and he was only travelling down to Rockefeller Center....and he complained every phone call check-in (just like Calvert) 🤣 They even used the same Panasonic video phone!

[@jobopening5085]

LOL

[@videooblivion]

I love these videos. It’s like the show is still on. And learning about the cast is a whole new experience.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

We too are delighted with the activity of this channel :)

[@cynthiamason4069]

​@@thelettermanpodcastTo be delighted with activity is to be, truly, the Naked Ape.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

@@cynthiamason4069 and who doesn’t want to be the naked ape?

[@NoellaScott]

I was born in 85 and obviously missed essentially all of Larry Bud. The first time I watched the entirety of his journey I needed medical attention. Peak TV.

[@defaultuser1447]

"Of course, ticks don't talk." That was the great thing about Dave's show. Not only was it entertaining, it was informative!

[@monkeyattackedmyass5435]

Educational, if you will.

[@kstepko]

I was familiar with Father Biff, but Biff Tracey was an unexpected surprise! Carrot Top and Four Eyes ... 😂

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Great stuff.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Dave was featured on our show in a special two part episode. He talks in depth about many of these, and other moments that were special to him during his run with Letterman & Company. He also talks about projects he was a part of after Letterman, including the Chevy Chase show (!) as well as the Tonight show.

[@dongiller]

@@Mr21scott Episodes 31 and 32.

[@KamikazeJedi]

@@dongiller hey Don!! Very cool that you kinda work for Dave now. Just curious, have you had any direct correspondence with Dave!

[@dongiller]

@@KamikazeJedi Since the hire? None that I’m aware. I’d had very fleeting run-ins with him in the past, but he never knew who I was, nor should he have, and I never identified myself.

[@plaws0]

Brilliant - thank you! I didn't realize (or more like, remember) that Larry "Bud" Melman had ever been referred to by his real name *before* the move to CBS.

[@gattusog]

Great clips. I remember feeling sorry for Calvert. That was a long trip.

[@CorSmit]

Thanks for sharing, Mister Rygalski. Great stories, and hilarious clips I had never seen before. These Staff Favorites are gold, keep them coming!

[@thelettermanpodcast]

If you enjoyed Dave Rygalski, he was featured in a special two part episode of our show where he expands on many of these moments.

[@NP-ip3nj]

Fascinating to hear back stories about the Tierra Del Fuego trip, great stuff!

[@matttilley8620]

This is great. I vividly remember the nightly calls with Larry Bud; the increasing tension in his voice throughout the trip was hilarious. Too bad about the "Don't you know who I am" part. I never knew Larry Bud took himself so seriously.

[@michaelclark9762]

Larry Bud didn't, but apparently Calvert did.

[@catherinegigliotti1368]

Kiddo you must be part of the Silver Fox Squad! Love watching Dave and all the staffs favorite episodes

[@Trevorjennings679]

Hello Catherine, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the Virus??

[@treborretsnom6186]

Yes!!! More please, sadly I forgot some of those. I remember seeing the flight team sketch when it came out...I laughed forever, still am...and yeah I wanna see that movie 👍

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Agreed. And with Top Gun resurgences, clearly the Blue Angel movie will be just as great.

[@johncornell3665]

There will never be a tv show like this again. Thanks Dave

[@occasionalfeelgood23]

"I knew you'd be stunned." Hahahaha. I remember being a kid and setting my VCR to record Letterman because I was too young to stay up and watch. For a 7th grader this Calvert DeForest trip was the funniest thing I'd ever seen.

[@brianfoley3007]

So much fun to watch. Still funny and can see the influence this show has had on all modern comedy.

[@JackSilbert]

This was terrific, thank you! It's fascinating to see each writer's sensibility filtered into the bits they generated.

[@thechrisandmikeshow]

I remember all of that... luved Father Biff and Biff Tracy...thx for the comedy gold, Dave Rygalski!

[@LivLaRaj]

The one Rygalski clip that sticks out for me, I've only seen on an Anniversary special: A "Who Asked For It" bit where DR asks Letterman if he can fix an audience monitor he claims needs adjusting, goes up to the hanging console with a ladder, and just changes the channel to something more entertaining (I think it was some sports broacast...)

[@dumbguydepot304]

So many of these were the ones I was hoping for when it was Viewer Mail night. Great stuff!

[@HeyMySock]

Oh man. I remember the Pan American trip! I felt so bad for Calvert. He clearly was not comfortable.

[@blackjesus804]

Those two fellows screaming in a cheap motel room "night terrors" is actually a happy surprise.

[@arobsz]

Would love to read a book about The Pan American Goodwill Tour! I remember thinking this was an insane idea as a kid and cannot imagine what all went on from New York to Central America.

[@robclarkson5356]

Love this, thanks Dave!

[@JonBlondell]

Thank you!!

[@merelythepawn]

Larry "Bud" Melman: "I'm sick of traveling. I'm getting a rash now, I'm sick of it. I'm at the point now, I'm getting adjective." "I really don't want to go on David. I just want to go home. Please!?" Just now, laughed to tears. The whole sending him on a pan-american intercontinental trip was hilarious. Mr. DeForest, that board didn't break out of respect.

[@dongiller]

Agita, not adjective.

[@Blakeneyd]

Poor Mr. Calvert. He was a good sport but he was really too old for that kind of traveling.

[@Ambot51]

Amazing. Love these segments.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

You can hear the desperation in Larry Bud's voice. He was defeated. lol. At least he had Frank to help him through the rough times.

[@93Jubilee]

Dave should've eased up. He's being a ass, Cher knew it!

[@paulcooper8818]

I remember the Goodwill Tour and how Calvert DeForest grew more and more unhappy as the trip progressed. At first it was funny but I became concerned for him after awhile.

[@paulocuaresma9480]

More Calvert!!!!

[@rockturtleneck]

Please someone make the movie about Larry "Bud" and Dave driving to Tierra del Fuego

[@ThymeKeeper]

I'm not sure how he ever got over the ignominy of having to treat Calvert like a star :D

[@thelettermanpodcast]

He talks about this during his appearance on our show.

[@sarcasmo57]

That was amazing

[@mhmrules]

I love the last clip! XD

[@ChickensIsPracticallyPenguins]

@14:26 surprised and disappointed to hear Larry pulled a "do you know who I am". Must all my heroes have feet of clay?

[@professorm4171]

I saw Calvert on the subway once years ago.

[@John_..]

Is it Steaven Seagul in the audience at 1.44?

[@MartinDee2000]

Is that Steven Seagal sitting in the audience at 1:41 (on the lower right wearing a white scarf)?

[@Tommyr]

This was great! Thanks Dave & Dave! And Calvert!

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Dave and Dave both have mighty beards!

[@anthonyhiggins4273]

So long ago Laughing was paramount

[@MagicAl5F4781]

All this time I thought it was a real parking garage guy sitting and reading a newspaper.

[@tomz500]

I'd love to see what went on between appearances. I hope Patton can pull it off!

[@Guyver3636]

I must be mistaking but is that Steven Segal in the audience? At 1:40

[@MichelleUS66]

The makers of Raid really need to come out with a version that can handle barking desk maggots…

[@Trevorjennings679]

Hello Michelle, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the Virus??

[@_Tanasis_]

I really really cried at 0:34 😂😂😂

[@JohnnyPerth]

These are so interesting

[@shawnuel]

I assume this is the same Dave Rygalski who is married to Gilmore Girls producer, Helen Pai, and was the inspiration for the character Dave Rygalski on The Gilmore Girls.

[@Rob_Kates]

Correct.

[@ChadRiden]

I definitely need a Calvert DeForest biopic starring Patton Oswalt 🤘

[@richardyoon4209]

Loved Father Biff..

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Not THAT Mike Rowe in the Marv Albert segment, is it?

[@kstepko]

Was Dave a big fan of Slim Jims? Or were they a sponsor? They seem to come up a lot!

[@Trevorjennings679]

Hello Karen, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the Virus??

[@kmac1766]

Mallard 270 SB! 😝Pan American Goodwill Tour 🇺🇸

[@FerdinandCesarano]

Unfortunately, it is not possible to drive to Tierra del Fuego, on account of the Darien Gap.

[@v8vrooooom]

A young Steven Segal in the audience to the right of Dave Rygalski during the who asked for it bit!

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Well observed.

[@scotts.3089]

Is that Steven Seagal in the lower right at 1:42?

[@daveandreahoward8203]

anybody else seeing Steven Seagall on the right at 1:44?

[@the0point]

that poor guy, the board bit is the final insult

[@debschaefer7820]

Calvert had a fit and said ”Do you know who I am?”

[@NevinNolte]

Patton as Calvert would be incredible!

[@natalieconforti6898]

Patten Oswald as Calvert De Forrest 🙌🏽

[@midoctor]

Is that Steven Seagal on the right at 1:41?

[@Brinta3]

The Gilmore Girls character Dave Rygalski was named after this guy.

[@dorklyasmr6017]

The larry bud melman goodwill tierra del fuego is in my top 5 lettermen bits of all time. He was so terribly miserable.

[@paulocuaresma9480]

Blue angels! Hahahaha

[@c.r.harris]

👍🏽😂👍🏽

[@thelettermanpodcast]

O’Donnell can do everything.

[@isplotchy]

Is that Steven Seagal in the audience at 1:41?! Oops, already noted by another commenter.

[@MarkKanaster-ev6pq]

Does anyone know how genius this is

[@cabronicusmaximuschingonic1062]

1:42 You can see Steven Seagal seated in the audience.

[@darinsingleton3553]

Kinda odd seeing Steven Segal in the audience at the 1:42 mark in this video.

[@cactaceous]

1:41 Is that, is that, uh, Steven Segal?!

[@jfh9209]

no

[@cactaceous]

@@jfh9209 Yes.

[@wads_o_hair]

Yes it is. My super-identifier wife sez so.

[@johndcornell6341]

Larry Bud!!!!!

[@maddymud]

Bobcat!

[@Trevorjennings679]

Hello Maddy, how are you doing today, hope you’re fine and safe from the Virus??

[@cynthiamason4069]

What is Dave doing now? Still working as a writer ♡☆?

[@thelettermanpodcast]

He talks about his adventures after he left Letterman during his appearance on our show. Including his stints with The Tonight Show and The Chevy Chase Show.

[@MrDoman-fd6yj]

That's seagal! Anyone know the backstory about that?

[@michaelclark9762]

I think he was the next plant for a bit in the "audience" ask Dave thing.

[@bernardoschmidt]

Where are Chris Eliotts favorite moments??

[@RoxStar1968]

Is that Conan O'Brien at 0:55?. Or maybe Steve O'Donnell?

[@NormieNormieNormie]

1:44. IS THAT STEVEN SEAGAL???

[@wads_o_hair]

Yes it is. About 100 pounds ago.

[@jamesgibbs367]

Is that Steven Segal in the audience at 1:44 Wtf!?

[@8mycake244]

A little Young De Niro going on there.

[@martinrev8487]

The Pan American Goodwill Tour was elder abuse. He asked to come home, and they convinced ( I believe coerced) him to do it for several more weeks (what I believe was to justify the cost). If you read his bio, Calvert wasn't a wealthy person (he was a clerk and part-time stagehand and actor), so it took a lot of courage to say he wanted to come home knowing that it would put his income at risk moving forward (by not going along and providing the laughs). Calvert was 67 in 1988. Hey Dave, if you are reading this, you are 77 now (probably in the same equivalent shape as someone who was 67 and born in 1921- remember, you didn't endure the depression of the 1930s and an era of less medical advancement); go jump in a Mallard and try the same trip. Let us know how you feel after a few weeks. Absolutely shameful.

[@blood.mirror]

Steven Seagal at 1:40 in the audience...

[@jameshudson169]

Conflating Late Night with The Late Show is like equating New WKRP in with the original.

[@hicks727]

01:42 Steven Segal sighting........

[@ronj5485]

Batmobile ! ?🤡🚬😂

[@hank1519]

I think that Dave should have cancelled Larry's trip as soon as he heard how unhappy Larry was.

[@kevinlakeman5043]

Patton Oswalt as Larry? Gary Oldman? Melissa McCarthy?

[@stereoroid]

10:00 $50? No wonder he still looked ... ticked off. (b'doom tish)

[@Mark_908]

Going to be terribly sad when they run out of staff to interview

[@MattTee1975]

Poor Calvert.

[@JohnnyPerth]

😅😅😅😅😅😂

[@MikeSmith-rh5gc]

It was meant to be funny, but the Tick Boy really gave me the creeps. Maybe cause I really do hate spiders… And ticks.

[@raymondm.9954]

Scorpions are arachnids, too.

[@tomz500]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!!

[@markread7333]

This was my least favorite of these. I don’t know how or why they hired him, TBH - I think these bits were the lamest parts of the show’s great history.

[@roostersideburns3440]

calvert must have been a pain in the arse

[@TheWorldisRaw]

Did he have any good sketches

[@orangemanok5800]

I love that Calvert never realized he was nothing more than a sideshow act as far as Dave was concerned. It would have killed him.

[@93Jubilee]

Dictator Dave!

[@stuart8663]

I didnt realise how lame this show was.

[@michaelclark9762]

That was the whole point of the show when it was at NBC. So ridiculously lame that it was funny.

[@nathanjarrell6479]

You may recognize me as the guy in the dark with his back to the camera. 😂😂😂 Yes we knew that was u. This video is one that is lacking substance. Not funny at all.

[@elisabethsyou]

joke about the amish guy is weird and if i were amish, id be really angry

[@stevecaldwell8558]

I doubt they’d have you..