The Morning Show Special on Letterman, February 27, 1985 (full)

The Morning Show comes to Late Night with Dave and co-host "Tawny Harper Reynolds," portrayed by Susan Benoit.
Dave explains the premise in the Cold Open. The guests: Michael Palin, Beatrice Lydecker, and Carol Channing. Plus helicopter traffic reporter Larry Bud, weatherman Old Henry (Paul Andor), and Dave's Blood Bug remote.
Michael Palin's promotional clip of his then-current film, "A Private Function," deleted due to copyright caution.
Of note: Dave's 1980 morning show's music theme was written by Michael McDonald. Paul pays tribute to that show in the first commercial break with another McDonald-penned tune, "What a Fool Believes."

[@johndalton3180]

The apex of the show's creativity. And Hal Gurnee is amazing in this episode. Watch as the camera fades from Carol Channing dancing, to Dave looking on in horror, Dave looks at the camera, and then fade to commercial. Absolutely brilliant television directing.

[@JCO2002]

Yes. Can't believe I've never seen this before. Hardest I've laughed in a while. Don is a total champion. Don't know who Susan Benoit is, but she was brilliant in this. Almost always in character, but you could tell she was laughing just because it was so funny at times. Very hot girl, too.

[@JonBlondell]

You're right! Hal is always a genius, but his direction and camera calling made this!!

[@winonafrog]

I believe it’s Hal Gertner, longtime Don Leherman staffer 😅

[@vormax2007]

My second favorite of Dave's 80s 'concept shows,' the first being Dave Letterman's Summer Time Sunshine Happy Hour. Thanks for the upload!

[@Tordogor]

I am very excited to see again NBC's Late Night full episodes from the 1980s. Especially the topical shows, like this one. These are TV gold!!!

[@donaldsmith7077]

Tawney is perfect. Always a smile on her face and more or less confused. Wonderful show.

[@adorable3817]

Is Tawney her real Name? Was she on anything else?

[@thegrimyeaper]

@@adorable3817 If you just turn your eyes above this comment by about two inches you'll see the description that reads "The Morning Show comes to Late Night with Dave and co-host "Tawny Harper Reynolds," portrayed by Susan Benoit."

[@adorable3817]

@@thegrimyeaper thank you 😁✌ ...I can't any Information on the Internet about her. What did she do? I mean, was she an actress?

[@thegrimyeaper]

@@adorable3817 From what I can find she was in three episodes of Petticoat Junction, that's about it.

[@JCO2002]

@@thegrimyeaper That's where I recognize her from! Thanks!

[@prmaninla]

The Carol Channing segment is one of the greatest things I have ever seen on TV. I remember watching this when it aired, with friends in my dorm room and we were rolling.... Carol shows her flawless timing and sense of humor just in going along with the bit, but then in the moment "You're probably a doctor... and he thought it was his day off...." and the double take Dave does when getting caught cueing Paul at 40:00 along with "I'm so embarrassed..." This is simply brilliance. Don, you made my day by posting this! Thank you!

[@JonBlondell]

Please read my earlier reply!

[@bamfylde]

Thanks Don! One of my favorites I still have on tape! “Tawny Harper-Reynolds”😂

[@JonBlondell]

Thank you for posting this!!

[@ghoststencil]

Even better than I expected, this made my morning! Thanks again Don!

[@ginny5937]

This is wonderful !! Thanks, Don! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@marksoquetjr4693]

Thanks again Don

[@dr.smithx9120]

Love this, Thanks for the post.

[@fiestafoo5006]

Ah, Dave’s Blood Bug! One of my most favorite remotes ever.

[@JCO2002]

Brilliant. First I've seen this. One of his "concept" shows. Thanks, Don.

[@cameramanzoomit]

One of my favorite episodes of "The Morning Show". A perfect show!

[@redshiftexperiment]

Thanks Don.. I was looking for this one!! You are the best! 23:20

[@JonBlondell]

I can't believe I missed this! Fantastic!!

[@omeolife1]

This should go viral

[@HankLazerFromTV]

This is amazing. Tim and Eric owe so much to Dave

[@ginny5937]

Who are Tim and Eric?

[@thegrimyeaper]

That cut to William Shatner's publicity photo was very On Cinema at the Cinema.

[@dansoto1332]

@@ginny5937 a 21st Century comedic duo

[@thelatebrianjones]

Eric Andre to some extent as well

[@dianewinters8628]

Always loved Carol Channing

[@Ryan_D542]

Finally! Thanks Don!

[@JonBlondell]

The chick is having the craziest, best gig of her career! She's doing a great job, and she's just riding the wave!!

[@thegrimyeaper]

Congrats on the 100 000 subs! Well deserved.

[@dongiller]

Thanks!

[@gallery7596]

Classic "Late Night" with a theme show, the kind that would never be done again which made it even more special.

[@der22672]

The only other credit on Susan Benoit IMDB is three episodes of Petticoat Junction during the 1965-1966 season.

[@Philobeddoe12]

That’s one hell of a resume eh?

[@captainscentsible1811]

This was sent in from the California date Association and if you notice the buttons are dates! isn't that super 😋

[@DieGroteske]

40:42 is just so wonderfully perfect

[@genericusername4206]

congrats on the big 100k subscribers

[@dongiller]

Thanks! I may but will probably not get that bronze lollipop, I think I’ll live.

[@preesi1403]

The blood bug is my fave thing ever. I wished Denise the NBC Nurse came with them to CBS because she was fabulous when she was on. Why was Steve Jordan at the blood bug? Did he just accompany Dave for fun? Everything Dave says, the way he drove the trailer with the raincoat and cigar was PERFECT. So funny.

[@billshortridgeart]

Soooooo funny. One of my favorite shows.

[@andyrose5616]

I was wondering what the deal was with the rough edit before Wendell’s first tease, and sure enough, Don delivers the answer.

[@GuyWithTheThingOnTheTable]

I can't take my eyes off that leg!

[@ziggystardust911]

..well, Don....you've made it..! ..100,000 subscribers as of 11/19/2020..! ..Congratulations ! 🙄😉

[@dongiller]

Thanks!

[@seanwelch71]

Don- this episode was made for us.

[@mswobo23]

Brilliant

[@shawnmahan3040]

Any reason that I can remember the secret number for this episode is 3-6-9 but I can't remember where I laid my keys down 5 minutes ago.

[@absolutelydisgusted3319]

You may want to try adding a bit of homemade sausage to your diet.

[@KiddBloo86]

Oh my gosh, Carol Channing was priceless! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@christ5783]

Was this Carol's only appearance? She is great here

[@KiddBloo86]

The hanging light over the counter, isn't that from the 1980 morning show?

[@markofly76]

When Dave WAS Dave

[@jrh11254]

Love Ms Channing’s “Basic Instinct” audition-tape (dance-moves by choreographer, Elaine Benes).

[@JonBlondell]

I have to tell ya, I played the Broadway show Hello Dolly, with Carol starring. She was an exhibitionist!! I think over rehearsals and and back stage we all saw pretty much all of her! And she was such a sweetheart, and funny as shit!!!

[@adorable3817]

1985 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@johndalton3180]

"Night of 100 Stars" "They haven't seen it yet, they just love the idea." So damn funny.

[@eezyclsmooth9035]

I maybe wrong But, before David was on at night, I think his very First show was on NBC at 11:00 am !

[@dongiller]

10 am.

[@cisium1184]

Yes, and it was a brilliant show.

[@daveg6839]

I can't tell if "Tawny" is in on the joke or not. She doesn't exactly have a long list of credits so maybe she's not acting.

[@stroock6394]

thank you don! can you PLEASE upload the collection of dr. phil?

[@chickenringNYC]

This is fantastic. Anyone know if the actor portraying Tawney ever said anything about the experience? Was she a local NY actor they found, or was she a friend of someone with the show who knew she'd be great? Was this her only ever appearance as Tawney?

[@dongiller]

All I know is that she was credited in the show’s Payment Log as “S. Benoit.” An IMDB search found a “Susan Benoit,” who appeared in several “Petticut Junction” episodes. So I’m assuming for now that that’s her. No other appearances on Dave.

[@chickenringNYC]

@@dongiller A reply from the master himself! Thanks for everything Donz.

[@dongiller]

@@chickenringNYC “Master.” Good one! :)

[@chickenringNYC]

@@dongiller Incidentally, sheesh, you have Payment Logs too? Was she paid union scale?

[@dongiller]

@@chickenringNYC She was.

[@erik_griswold]

Anyone have a copy of the Palin Sausage recipe handy?

[@absolutelydisgusted3319]

Oh, I’m so sorry. I sent my copy to my great grand-daughter many years ago. We consider it a family treasure.

[@philpaule472]

Moring shows have not changed in the past 35 years

[@dontrockwobble]

Weekend Late Show with Bruce and Linda came close, but this set the standard.

[@dongiller]

Here’s the Weekend Late Show collection - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHa9Yqeqermrp8k

[@ram3621]

Looks like the logo of the CBS Morning Show

[@bsmith1164]

When do Polynesian days at the mall come on?

[@royal-tea7543]

The ventriliquist doll looks like davy jones of the monkees.

[@Sean_S]

Prancing fluids

[@JonathanHudgins]

Since its Late Night shouldn't it have been Early Morning instead of The Morning Show?

[@ziggystardust911]

..I l-o-v-e David's reactions to Carol Channing ! 😂😆🤣 ..Carol should've been a regular guest, just like Sandra Bernhard and Teri Garr ! 😉

[@Philobeddoe12]

Tawny had the affected head shake, jerk down Pat didn’t she?

[@billythemountainbear]

Deliberately mismatched morning show hosts, Dave doesn't care, Tawny is so bland and generic, and the way Palin says shut up to her is hilarious.

[@alevine1951]

Palin missed the obvious reply to Tawny's softball question about the length of the sausage: "Any size you like. How long do you like your sausage, Tawny?" And by the way, he tried way too hard and still wasn't funny. Perhaps he's a script comedian. Anyway, Beatrice Lydecker appears to still be going strong, and apparently made a nice little career out of her absurd claims.

[@absolutelydisgusted3319]

I thought I was the only one who felt that way about Palin trying too hard. Definitely not the same kind of dry “Letterman humor.”

[@ZachJenkins]

Oh wow I thought he worked perfectly in the universe of this show

[@ZachJenkins]

And “obvious reply” isn’t exactly a point in the lines favor in my opinion

[@sandy3482]

Tawney is just so perky and that workout outfit was worth the price of admission alone.

[@cuthere]

This episode should be in the Smithsonian.

[@timmcleaners1987]

Turk 182

[@njcdlarson]

“I have a cold this morning so try not to get too close to me.” That didn’t age well. 😳