The Best of Don Rickles & Dave | Letterman

Our favorite moments from "Mr. Warmth" Don Rickles, including the time he dropped his pants and fired a rocket.
#DonRickles #HockeyPuck #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.

[@GavinSwick]

I was lucky enough to be in the audience for Don Rickles' final appearance on Letterman, right before the finale week. He came out during the commercial break slowly with some assistance to his seat and didn't get his grand matador entrance, but man was he still 100% mentally on it. Especially considering he had to go back and forth with Howard Stern next to him as well, he wasn't missing a beat and was still throwing 100 jabs a minute like he always did. It was after the Indianapolis 500 and because Letterman's team placed 3rd I believe, everyone in the audience received free Steak & Shake milkshakes! No musical act that taping either, just got to enjoy PS and the CBS Orchestra for a long outro and that was amazing to hear professional musicians at the top of their game just grooving for an additional minute and a half. One of the best experiences in my life so far.

[@dianeo]

That's awesome. Thanks for sharing that memory!

[@fu2201]

I walked on the moon ......

[@MyAngrySanta]

3 legends on stage is an extremely rare treat spectacular moment, thanks for sharing

[@ScratchGlass9]

Fantastic ! What great years we had with Dave and Paul.... the twits these networks have for late night entertainment is putrid !!! Thank God we grew up when we did.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

You witnessed history. Well done. There was a tribute show to Don on Spike TV a few years before. HIGHLY recommended.

[@gregdavis7047]

Don was a legend, there will never be anyone like him.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Without a doubt.

[@SPDFRK]

Sadly because now it's not allowed. Someones snowflake will melt if we point out their flaws. At least they all have a trophy. Everyone gets a trophy which was meant to make us all the same right?

[@hiddensword9387]

@@SPDFRK Think it's the 'racist' stuff that would be the problem. Comedians still point out each others flaws, Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr plus others.

[@thecandyman9308]

Indeed. The ability for a guest to cut against the grain is no longer possible due to the "big boxing" of talent agencies behind the booking. Back then there were about 20 agencies where-as now there are I think TWO (CAA & ...). So you can't be "chancey" w/ guests anymore and instead just parrot lines about "the production must have been challenging because _____".

[@fredbiden868]

very true

[@frankie3041]

Dave is grinning from ear to ear every moment when Rickles is on. Absolutely fantastic to see, particularly when Dave completely cracks up!

[@Patrick-ud3vu]

lol wow! I pretty much said the exact same thing on another video! Gotta love Don!

[@TomGarrett73]

What a treasure. I especially love Don at 8:20 getting tickled by his own joke.

[@JC20XX]

And standing by his joke 2:52

[@laughingoutloud5742]

That joke about his ex girlfriend was funny as hell 🤣 🤣🤣🤣 I miss him

[@constantlyenthused336]

I will never cease to be amazed and impressed by the precision and timing of that gag at 6:43

[@braydenfletcher8159]

Seeing Don say a joke and smile is something that will always fill my heart. Thank you Mr. Warmth, you were always the most entertaining person on the show and had a heart of liquid gold!

[@rockturtleneck]

Rickles might be the funniest person who ever lived, right up to the end. My brother and I were fortunate to see him live in Vegas in 1999 and he was absolutely incredible. RIP.

[@billzweir159]

Got to see him in AC with my sister, he was genius

[@kerrymoorber5025]

I always loved Rickles --- amazing he was able to stay hilarious over many decades

[@jandreid1056]

Don Rickles and Robin Williams were always my favorite late night guests. Whenever they made the rounds of the late night shows, I always find time to watch them.

[@rexoates4484]

I’m always amazed at how quick Don was with his wits. “Because you’re my whole life” was fast as a bolt of lightning. RIP Mr Warmth.

[@Norvo82]

This 'best of' segment is about 4 hours too short... Every appearance of Rickles is the best of Don Rickles. It's easy math.

[@kingofdublin95]

I can watch them over and over!

[@dianeo]

Always loved his appearances on Letterman and The Tonight Show. Legend.

[@WTFG78]

There needs to be a Letterman Deep Dive channel with the Donz-level collection videos of whole appearances (especially since Donz isn’t doing that on his channel anymore).

[@Halifax18]

I'm just happy you can still find most of em on here.

[@rcjames5286]

Agree. He was the best

[@fredbiden868]

Don and Dave is the best and ever was...Nothing compares to them ever to this day and never will for all of History....ever..

[@Tommyr]

That man was beyond awesome! RIP Don!

[@J.R.__]

Missed the iconic “Ok you can have a seat now…, what else is new? Well…I tell ya the truth!” Don’s interviewing himself! 😂😂😂 (after the hug when he tells Dave he can sit down now)

[@mikesgroi21]

I loved this! I still have to ask please post the full clip of Rickles and Denzel Washington.

[@email4664]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYTdZXinhMaKn7s

[@henghengwwj]

I go back and watch the Denzel one at least once every month. Miss Don so much.

[@nav662007]

Good golly, I miss Don Rickles. Loved his appearances on Johnny and Dave, and I made it a point to see him in Vegas at the Orleans in 2013. Mr. Warmth, indeed. Great memories. We need another like him...

[@Holdonjustoneminute]

No one made Letterman laugh as hard as Rickles did

[@machtnichtsseimann]

Good compilation. Thank you for creating / uploading it! I was hoping the part when Don teased Dave for making an "air ruler" with his hands would be in this. It was the show with Denzel sitting next to him. Included here is where Don already is teasing Dave for getting stuck on his words and making funny noises, which already cracked me up. But when Don went after him for using his hands like a ruler that took me over the top. It also was a show where they went overtime under Don's blessing! LoL. It would be fantastic to get the ENTIRE conversation with Don in HD while Denzel stayed there thoroughly entertained.

[@rawpower12xu]

4:32 Oh my God that was hilarious. Even Letterman was not ready for that dig hahaha. So quick

[@gusgus8134]

No words. Only gut busting laughter!🤣

[@odradekk]

Is this the best channel on KZbin or what ?

[@waynemarvin5661]

Could be both.

[@thelettermanpodcast]

It’s certainly better than all the kitties that seem to have overrun the place.

[@UberDurable]

One of a kind, a proper legend! Nowadays, celebs must be mindful not to step on toes!

[@ianpullman203]

Two of the best at their best!

[@bobbaker8263]

Rickles was a classic!

[@dhoneofficial]

The last one with champagne shower or whatever, Don was like me right there, bolding out of this messy place and thinking: oh no no no no no, I need to go home clean!!!

[@paulolima6407]

Nothing says "I don't care" like "I'm gonna drop my pants and fire a rocket". 😂😂😂😂😂 Brilliant.

[@susantunbridge4612]

My favourite Don Rickles' moment was when he greeted Frank Sinatra from the stage, as Frank came in late; and said something along the lines of "Hi Frank. Take a seat. Make yourself comfortable - hit someone." That came to mind after the Oscar Slap.

[@robertdiotalevi285]

THE MERCHANT OF VENOM, THE BEAST OF BEVERLY HILLS, MR. WARMTH....

[@GeauxRight777]

Drop my pants and fire a rocket! 😆

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales41]

David Michael Letterman (12 de abril de 1947) es un presentador, comediante, escritor y productor de televisión estadounidense.

[@byanlipscomb29]

"Regis!" "l don't want him out here."

[@thelettermanpodcast]

Hahhaahahha

[@richmondstevenj]

I’d pay good money to have Rickles insult me for ten minutes.

[@Techist_US]

I miss Don Rickles :(

[@Heyjuststfu]

Bonus Regis appearance! Absolute legends.

[@RoddyTullenz]

2:55 Classic Paul laught.

[@oldgroucho2203]

David is great because he can laugh at himself, unlike Leno when Rickles appeared on the unfunny show.

[@menash23]

The best trash talker ever.

[@esg8862]

He was the best. Saw him at a restaurant and he couldn't have been more of a gentleman and nicer guy.

[@amitt7153]

10 minutes of pure fun with Don

[@gidifihrer3966]

Legend

[@srinath6247]

Don Rickles looked like Yoda from Star Wars.

[@Sanderson331]

i havent laughed so hard in so long. thank you Don Rickles. RIP

[@montblancnoland4034]

You can just tell he's a new Yorker lol

[@nikachimes6675]

…..luv these guys…. Is them…especially the great RICKLES….🥹❤🌟

[@billgateskilledmyuncle23]

Don looks the same while Dave slowly ages

[@Mark.13.]

Upload whole episodes I see you have HD.

[@barbsmith5465]

You're my whole life .... Says Don Rickles.

[@appolop8273]

What was the champagne thing all about? Who were those guys?

[@ronachten2902]

Good stuff, but not having Don's request to Paul to "put a skate on your face and skate" is a miss.

[@darrendoherty7316]

Don Rickles was so funny he was Brilliant so funny

[@turdferguson12]

Newton Monroe!

[@paulpatane2439]

8:30. 😅😅😅

[@KyleWilder-fs9tv]

Carson 21/5. '74

[@JTD472]

And after all that, he has no lines in casino

[@FURDOG1961]

2:40

[@MichaelSilverMedia]

THIS IS A RIOT!

[@daboys1215]

This was just his later years. Go get the stuff with Johnny Carson. RIP Don. Absolute legend.

[@barbsmith5465]

" You don't have to be that attentive " ... Don Rickles was absolutely the best. The very best.

[@georgekleinfelter7041]

That was the best part of this compilation and Dave found it hilarious.

[@NoName-hs3sf]

Rickles was always great on letterman and Carson no chemistry with Leno.

[@andrewunger1276]

That’s because Leno has no spontaneity

[@evanfaust8672]

5:15 Even Denzel says “yes sir” to a legend like Don Rickles. He had the respect of everyone, truly a legend.

[@peterkawe6451]

Why not...

[@evanfaust8672]

@@peterkawe6451 🎶….me on a rainy day? Why not me to love your cares away? Why not me? 🎶

[@peterkawe6451]

@@evanfaust8672 do not get you, is it raining...?

[@ramfan5149]

@@evanfaust8672 Luv the Judds!!

[@brantmacga]

It was always clear that these two were very fond of each other. I’ll watch every second of them together .

[@SLiMCHiCKeN5150]

People like this just don't exist anymore. The stories this man told were priceless. His Carson appearances from the 70s are hilarious. Long live Sharkey

[@bernlin2000]

Probably the greatest talk show guest in history, just a genius!!!

[@billzweir159]

Truth

[@redcapote4760]

Robin Williams has entered the chat...

[@ShivaShankar-zn5zp]

Don Rickles..👑❤️💥

[@fdrstan]

You know he’s a legend because he’s still dead ass hilarious.

[@PakRT48]

The people demand "The Best of Richard Simmons & Dave". Please make it happen.

[@sabio28]

Don Rickles timing always perfect. True legend. Non stop fun.

[@PrescottRossi]

Admin could post every Rickles interview in full and I’d watch them all. The Rickles, Denzel, Letterman segment is just the best.

[@byHexted]

Meanwhile you’re in Connecticut with a girl yelling “put it on the other truck!”

[@charlesbronson5235]

I’m gonna drop my pants and fire a rocket 🚀 😂😂😂😂

[@marktrain9498]

And no one charged the stage to assault him. Different times.

[@Cantbuyathrill]

"That's exciting!!! Im gonna drop my pants and fire a rockect!" Every Don Rickles appearance on the show always made Dave play second fiddle.

[@peterddb1593]

Ha. I watched the last segment where Dave tried to douse Don with champagne and Don managed to scoot away. Man, he could move fast! Those must be the kind of reflexes that were honed while performing in small dangerous night clubs.

[@royrowland5763]

Calling someone a hockey puck would get almost nobody else a laugh. Half of the things that came out of Don Rickles mouth were not particularly funny, but his delivery puts him in a league of his own.

[@ScratchGlass9]

Rickles & Rodney....R.I.P. Gentlemen, thank you for the lifetime of hilarity ! we were lucky growing up when we did....

[@FizzgigMcarthur]

Please post the full Denzel/Rickles appearance! One of the best.

[@JoshColletta]

There will never be another Don Rickles. What a legend!

[@sitr2516]

04:28 . I can't even breath. This is the best ever. It works on so many levels. it acknowledges that this is all somewhat an act and not a pure interview. it acknowledges the fact that they are both comedians and instantly understand the bit. It acknowledges the fact that for the most part dave has to sit there and act interested to many of his more boring guests. It is the best. To see how quickly rickles picked that body language out and went with it in a heartbeat, derailing his own story for this banger of a joke.

[@stroock6394]

good analysis... when you hear the bell go to history!

[@Cantbuyathrill]

Back, WAY BACK, when late-night comedy was truly and spontaneously funny.

[@byHexted]

This is a good compilation, cuts all the fat out, doesn’t show me a bunch of the most easy to find common clips I’ve seen a million times, just classic Don and the quick fire editing matches his jokes

[@heldig5617]

The funniest guest on Letterman either it's Don Rickles or Norm Macdonald. Both of them made Dave laughed like a high-pitched hyena.

[@08davey]

I'm gonna add Amy Sedaris to that list.

[@kovvvas]

​@@08davey I'm not.

[@brodyu.s.2254]

If there aren't any objections, I am gonna go ahead and add Paul Reiser to the list.

[@KOSMICKEN09]

Dana Carvey is always a great guest too

[@dimitreze]

this was amazing

[@Meshuggapeth]

I love it when people put Dave in his place

[@Ryan-on5on]

Don Rickles is the reason the word "motormouth" was invented! A true, spitfire original, he was.

[@glennmorris25]

Don Rickles doesn’t have a chin or a neck. His chest connects directly to his lower lip.

[@thenostalgicpodblast]

Only two words properly describe this classic clip: FUCK YES!!!!!

[@mickeybrennan8775]

Happy 96th Birthday Mr Warmth 🎁 We love you Champion 🏆

[@MikeChimeri]

The last clip was the one time the audience coordinator should have said "those of you in the front rows may get wet." I was wondering which World Series champion Yankees team that was, but once I saw Wade Boggs, I knew it was '96.

[@frannyleyden7988]

Before Letterman got political and angry.

[@jdhutche35]

"I'm gonna drop my pants and fire a rocket" I gotta remember that one hahaha

[@onyoutuberightnow]

Great clip. Howard Stern was also a great guest for Dave but Stern really hijacked that final appearance he had with Rickles during Dave's last week. Don and Dave never got to share some last words on the air. Rest in peace, Don Rickles.

[@dongiller]

Don was frustrated as well. I was at the taping, and after the cameras were off, Alan Kalter asked the audience to stick around a while longer, because Don, still seated, wanted to say something. He told us how important Dave was to the late night talk show tradition, and he ranked him up there with Johnny. Someone in the balcony caught some of it on his phone and later shared it with the FB/AFL gang. I believe it’s available on some loser’s YT channel.

[@dongiller]

@@HAL_9000__ I didn’t get in, but I did hang out in Rupert’s with my fellow AFL friends and would occasionally meet up with some staffers both before and after the taping. Photos and videos galore. :)

[@stebstebanesier6205]

No matter how many times I say the name, Howard Stern, I will never get as big of a kick as Howard Stern gets by saying it.

[@Augustus99100]

Don was genius level at ad lib. Dave loved the banter and couldn't stop laughing

[@brucelee4996]

I would have loved to seen Don at a late-night Vegas show. Preferably after a Sinatra show. Thanks Dave and crew.

[@prowlie]

Insulted mobsters.. never got slapped

[@kyilmaz2]

Thanks Dave for putting this on ! Amazing...your clips are still the best!!!

[@kooool50]

It's an honor knowing the merchent of venom, nobody puts a smile on my face like Don did. RIP legend

[@Vitaliuz]

05:34

[@Bends95]

Love that part LMAO!!!

[@byHexted]

Letterman has always been so weird to me Bc he’s like so good and obviously he cleaned this up later on but he was just so awful with letting the guest finish their bit at this time, like with Don and Rodney he really messes up their timing because he just cannot help but interjecting. Like he keeps trying to explain himself for asking if Don had lines and he keeps trying to get a word in and it’s just embarrassing like let him get out his thing

[@jasondelvaux3036]

I'm glad Don & Carlin aren't around to see all the censorship & cancel culture of comics these days. It's sad they're gone, but it's better they don't have to witness what's going on today.

[@paulamiles9559]

Don is so gracious! He refers to himself and Denzel as " two major people". That is really sweet. Don could flay your flesh from the bones, but he also has a way of putting younger folks at ease. Denzel is loving it, too.

[@Football__Junkie]

My favorite Rickles insult was when he would tell someone “why don’t you go buy a horse and move to the mountains and don’t bother anybody”