“They Were All Damn Good” - David Letterman on Hosting 4,000+ Episodes of The Late Show

[@sockinvaders]

I was about 12 when i got a TV in my bedroom back in about 1995. And one show i made a point of watching on cable TV was David's show every night. In the UK we were a day behind. I'd be tired the next day at school sometimes, but i'd feel glad to have learned about politics and the entertainment industry and hear from the guests. Now 40, its beautiful to see him back! He was brilliant.

[@kindabluejazz]

When Stephen mentioned Dick Cavett I got chills. He's my archetype of the consummate 'intellectual' talk show host. Never flustered, always courteous, deep without effort - he interviewed the highest tier of both celebrity and world leaders all with the same cadence. He belongs in the same pantheon as Dave and Johnny.

[@brianherrington7226]

Cavett wrote for the first true Talk Show Host Jack Paar on Parr’s 5 year run on The Tonight Show. Many will say Allen and Allen was more comedy and gags and less talk where Paar was more of a natural. Johnny encompassed them both very well and I feel Dave was great at both as well but Paar was the best interviewer of the bunch and Dave and Paar could both be very emotional and testy at times in that you thought something completely unhinged or non scripted was about to happen. My top three are Paar, Carson , and Dave. Dave was the last of the true Talk Show host .

[@michelrenaud3431]

And what about Jimmy Fallon? Just kidding... @@brianherrington7226

[@mindblowingdiscussions2707]

I am 32 so I didn't watch him live, but watched his interview with Brando & Ali, loved his style

[@particulatematter]

Dave knows how to work a room like no one else. What a legend!

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

He makes you think, I could do that show. Then you watch other people try and realize how talented Dave truly is to make it look effortless

[@BRinMilwaukee]

What a great visit! I was excited, etc., and it did not disappoint. Dave was funny and interesting-- everything you want in a guest. BRAVO

[@ysmodericci]

The one and only. The best, David Letterman 💓💓💓💓💓💓

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

I got to see a live taping in the 90's Marv Albert, NCAA Cheerleaders and Tower of Power horn section were on the show An experience I'm happy to have had

[@davidc6032]

I'm old enough to remember Dave's daytime show during the summer and fall of 1980. It was great stuff, so when he was going to late night after Carson in early '82, I was all over it. His first show had Bill Murray as the guest. His show quickly became must must-watch for all of us college kids back then.

[@charliechaos2551]

Oh Lord!. The years I spent watching Dave. A trip down memory lane with a stop at nostalgia corner. Love you, Dave and Steve. 2 Master doing their craft.

[@BernDiggityDog]

Dave was my comedic hero and sanity savior throughout my professional career working afternoons at the Detroit Free Press. His amazing show with Paul and the band, the guy under the stage (Chris Elliot), stupid pet tricks, top 10 lists, amazing break-through musicians he helped launch, Larry Bud Melman, his flirty routine visits from Teri Garr, re-launching the career of and attention to Darlene Love, viewer mail and the countless trip into the audience for a variety of reasons. God bless you always, my dear cosmic friend Dave!

[@rogerc23]

Dave dialed it in the last 15 years of his show. It was cookie cutter boredom

[@BernDiggityDog]

You probably were busy dialing in your life at that time.

[@rogerc23]

@@BernDiggityDog well even everything you are describing is from the first 5, or at best ten years of the show. Which is when it was funny. Dave at desk reading questions from cue cards was painful and I barely watched. And no my life was at an ascendency during those years.

[@Kermit_T_Frog]

I liked him a lot better in Late Night, his first gig. He lost a lot of his charm after they mainstreamed him on The Late Show. Retirement seems to have freed him up a bit.

[@denisphelan8987]

​@@rogerc23You barely watch but yet can recount how bad you thought it was. Contradict yourself much? 😂

[@silverhooligan1256]

Letterman ❤ I’ve been watching reruns-so many great memories. Colbert following Lettermnan was genius, two fabulous good humans

[@quitebald]

You can't help but laugh out loud watching this. Letterman is still sharp.

[@TheMonroemomma]

Came here to say the same thing. Still, SO sharp! This audience must be too young to get his dry humor, but as an OG Letterman fan, I'm cracking up!

[@rhondah1587]

An example that age does not indicate mental decline. I am constantly disgusted that so many young people equate age with losing your sharpness.

[@ingridwheeler3180]

Yeah, why not?

[@kevinreid8946]

"I'm an orphan" the look Dave gave to the audience. Made me choke on my food! Priceless! Always a Master of sarcasm!

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

Also, that statement was the key to Dave's success. As an "orphan" who admired others, but copied no one, that's why his version of the late night talk show changed the genre. David Letterman was always a crucial part of putting the day to bed.

[@229BlackHat]

As someone who has operated a freight elevator, it is every bit as powerful an experience as The Iron Man of Late Night says it is and then some. I can now officially say I have something in common with Dave & Stephen. Legendary interview gentlemen (as if they’ll read this)

[@rothloaf1980]

"I don't appreciate the sarcasm." 😂

[@gallery7596]

(lol) Yes, from the king of sarcasm.

[@davidtaylor111]

Dave has the best comedic timing ever and his dry humor is just the top

[@cherylannebarillartist7453]

As soon as he asked,”is it under your desk?”, I envisioned Jon Stewart and delightfully, Stephan said, “no, that’s where Jon lives”😂😂😂

[@David72191]

WOW JUST WOW!! Thanks Stephen and entire Late Show.

[@michelrenaud3431]

Dave has genuine affection for Steven, Stephen has genuine admiration for Dave.

[@kindabluejazz]

*Stephen

[@chrismanteris9093]

And we care why?

[@TGTR-06660]

@@chrismanteris9093I don't know but since you replied to a comment on this, it's clear you care. So, why?

[@jondunmore4268]

It's all for the cameras. Don't kid yourself.These people work in tv. They are, by definition, shallow, transactional, venal facades of human beings.

[@michelrenaud3431]

Merci. @@kindabluejazz

[@veramae4098]

Johnny Carson's last show was amazing. He could have gone on forever, croaking something from his hospital bed and people would have laughed and loved it. Great moment, him sitting on a chair mid stage, thunderous applause that went on forever, and him calmly "Thank you. Thank you."

[@cyndi2216]

I grew up watching Johnny Carson with my grandparents. I loved him. He was the best.

[@charlie-obrien]

Dave is a comedy legend if only for bringing the "Top Ten" to television every night. I used to run a bar back in the day and we would have our own "Top Ten" that all the patrons would contribute to, some even calling them in, if they couldn't be there at the bar on a given night. What great times. Thanks to you Dave for all the fun over the last 40+ years.

[@whitleybayman123]

Here in the UK *waves. Dave is one of your national treasures. Great to see him back in that historic theater, please make a law to preserve the man forever :)

[@patlafever2049]

I loved Dave so much! I don’t think I missed any of those 4000 shows. Plus, the ones on the other channel prior to moving to CBS. My daughter and I watched every night, even on vacation!

[@janeltranmer2284]

That is right, Dave! They were all damn good. Sometimes, because of you, the ones that "failed" were remarkable. Total love and respect coming your way from Canada.

[@NewMessage]

If that hand had jumped out and high fived Stephen after the desk joke, I'd have died right here.

[@Aaliyahchannel2024]

Damn...wish it happened then.

[@Lawsonomy1]

I love that, that joke is still alive. The callbacks are always fun.

[@mhmrules]

Me too! XD

[@motherterezzza3466]

Hahahahaa

[@MaxineShaw_84]

Gotta love the people who need to let you know it's a recurring joke instead of letting this hilarious addendum breathe. 😏

[@mcillancadfish]

I've been an avid fan of David Letterman since the 80's in NBC, 90's - 00's in CBS, and now in Netflix in his specials. This was truly something amazing! Thank youbso much Stephen Colbert for making this special! Now I'm going to copy this comment and paste it on every part of this video 😅

[@allenlovell1604]

❤❤❤. OMG, Dave Letterman still has it after all these years 😳! I'd love to see Stephen Colbert bring back the "Top Ten Lists " that Letterman always did maybe once a week 😀! With all that's going on right now , Stephen's writers will have no shortage of ideas. Drumph antics alone could fill the first top 10 lists!

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

Only if they do an Even Stephen once a month as well

[@anthonyfalacejjr5428]

I know what you went through, I had the same experience, happy you have recovered with the help of a loving family, ( that’s the late show crew and then some) missed you and happy you’re back, a very merry Christmas and healthy new year in spirit , mind and body ❤

[@mdsong12]

I so love and miss David Letterman. I had a friend who I'd visit in NY who lived right down the street from Dave's studio, but never got a chance to be in his studio audience. I always felt his antics were brilliantly funny and intelligently thought out. He's still sharp as a tack and he has an awesome head of hair. It's just now that he's grown the beard he looks like Santa Claus and Rip Van Winkle all rolled into 1. 🤣😂😅God bless you Dave. I enjoyed this clip as I missed him on the actual show. I don't get to watch much late night TV anymore.

[@rocketreindeer]

My buddy got tickets but the show was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy I think. He was super bummed but somehow got another chance when he was in town for a conference before Dave retired. I said, "too bad you never got to see Dave," then he pulled out his laptop and showed me a pirated copy of the whole show with him sitting in the audience. I would have loved to have seen a "knocking the meatball off the Christmas tree" episode.

[@mdsong12]

@@rocketreindeer Awesome. I would have liked to have seen that stunt as well.

[@burnslee1164]

"No, that's where John Stewart lives" LORE!!!

[@eyeofhorus_1]

I miss David Letterman and Craig Ferguson so much. Now that was a nightly line-up!

[@anderslarsen6009]

And Conan.

[@qasimhussain1678]

my top 5 favourite late night chat show hosts of all time: 1. Johnny Carson 2. David Letterman 3. Dick Cavett 4. Conan O’Brien 5. Craig Ferguson

[@markjackson6431]

@@qasimhussain1678 swap out Cavett for Tom Snyder and you have my list.

[@da8675]

It's nice to reminisce about the before times.

[@hayleymo8]

The long, long ago.

[@zom8680]

Before the Empire

[@MyAngrySanta]

Over 4,000 shows “and they were all damned good” is an amazing statement, Dave is such a perfectionist, for going to even joke that is a huge step towards recognizing how great he truly is.

[@Double00Agent]

I love that John Stewart lives under Stephen’s desk 😂😂😂

[@tomboss9940]

would have been one of the greater stunts, if he would have shown up…

[@sealyoness]

Me too!

[@Alexander_z]

Dave proves that he is still as as sharp and relevant as ever. Congratulations to him for being grateful and funny as possible.

[@johnking5174]

David mentioned a great point here a 2:35 - that if you screw up a show, don't worry, a new show is the following day. That doesn't happen with British talk shows, which are weekly and not nightly. So if Graham Norton screws up one week, there is 7 days before he can do another show. This is one of the benefits of a nightly show, a routine which British television has never really settled down with.

[@vincentlynch3652]

Alert and funny as ever, even at his late 70s! He deserved all that applause...and more!

[@Earthneedsado-over177]

I'm in my 70s and banana the cream puffs and jam.

[@Kane0123]

The deadpan “no” from Dave is classic. Has all the “back in my day men were men” vibe but with the humour he always had

[@rhmcvay]

Letterman was brilliant. He hasn't lost his wit!

[@johnathandavis3693]

Dave worked as a weatherman at a local TV station back in the day. He once predicted "Hail the size of canned hams"...

[@charlie-obrien]

Dave always had the best funny phrases and names for things. That's why his production company was named "Worldwide Pants". Things like that and Stupid pet tricks, still crack me up all these years later.

[@prowlie]

When Dave joined SF5... and Stephen asked him about coming back... I knew this was gonna happen FINALLY... Great to see him back! Thanks to Stephen for making it happen!

[@NWNerdVintage]

My kids’ great grandpa was a radio cohost with Johnny in Nebraska on KWOW. Johnny bought him a blue Cadillac.

[@Suplyndmnd]

Letterman still absolutely slays me. He always had a way to just make me guffaw. Not a laugh, straight up guffaw.

[@rocketreindeer]

Yeah I always feel like today's guys can be funny, but Dave was hilarious.

[@veggigoddess]

Letterman, Stewart, Ferguson, Colbert, and Oliver all need to do a project together

[@DragonMasterSubo]

Damn he's still sharp as hell. We'll never have another like him, carson, or ferguson.

[@mindblowingdiscussions2707]

This man still got it proving age is just a number ❤

[@AC3handle]

If Jon Stewart had popped out from under the desk at the mention of his name, that would have been one of the great moments in television history.

[@DrRanjanPatel]

Dave is a genius, as is Colbert 👏🏽😍

[@erikpeterson25]

Dave is still Dave......👍.....cracks me up 😂

[@davidmitchell6873]

Dave was gen Xs Johnny Carson, especially his original show.

[@markjackson6431]

i would argue for even the millennials and gen z that Letterman is their Johnny Carson (the best in their mind because most of us never saw Johnny live except old clips we see on KZbin). and that Conan is their David Letterman

[@withershin]

"t don't appreciate the sarcasm"

[@thunderousapplause]

He loves that he loves the power he has to get audience to applaud. We are all in on the joke.

[@geoffreythomas1452]

THIS is what made Dave great, he played to the audience in the room. I went to a taping of Colbert's show earlier this autumn and it was awful, it was as if the audience wasn't even there. Colbert played for the cameras and the internet, not the people in the room with him. Dave is awesome.

[@laalaa99stl]

Happy birthday, Dave's wife!

[@BJK1715]

HE CHEATED ON HER!!! 😬 🤔 HE'S A LYING, CHEATING PIG! 🧐

[@artemiomarifosque7927]

Happy Natal Day, Mrs David Letterman, from my family here n Philippines!

[@dolly6323]

God bless you Mr. Lettermen.

[@BenVarkentine]

I hope they'll release this uncut.

[@Aaliyahchannel2024]

Nah...Dave probably said something that was against "THE MESSAGE"

[@RusstheTroubadour]

​@@Aaliyahchannel2024😂😂😂😂

[@chrisburns514]

Dave very much still has it. I’m sure he was happy to hang it up, but he could certainly still be doing this. CBS has the opportunity to do the funniest thing

[@sbgwll]

Dave is as sharp as ever. If he wanted to he could still be hosting this show and still be on top.

[@destonlee2838]

I miss Dave's openings with the TVs out the windows. That was golden.

[@benbergin538]

It has to be said, David did a brilliant job interviewing Richard Harris, Peter O'Toole and Oliver Reed back in the day.

[@nickthomas6827]

Richard Harris may be the all time great talk show guest

[@gallery7596]

Wow, yeah that Oliver Reed interview got tense, eh!

[@mysmith7]

So great to see Dave and Stephen on set together.

[@movingforwardLDTH]

Lol, I 100% agree w/Dave about driving freight elevators!!!

[@adenihil]

I would imagine this has to be magic for any late night talkshow host to have the King himself on… Thanks Stephen!

[@nancyjackson2279]

Prince, Johnny was King.

[@shorerocks]

David Letterman was the first US talk show host I started watching, at least as far as it was available in German TV (yep, I am talking pre YT streaming etc.). Love the guy.

[@Azza95]

It was only a matter of time that David would be back

[@highfiveguy]

Saw complaints over the years on Colbert's Late Show. Recently started watching a few interviews. I agree the interactions aren't particularly funny, but they are charming and interesting. No idea about his monologues and other bits since I haven't really watched full episodes, but I'm a fan of the interviews so far.

[@myfriendgoo2816]

Dave's greatest shows were in his first few years, on NBC at 12:30. That set up everything that followed.

[@markhammer643]

One of the best, for me at least, was when he had his morning show. On one of those, he had Fred Rogers on. Dave *thought* he was going to have snarky fun with Rogers' persona, but Fred pulled out puppets and played Dave like a violin. Taught him a lesson: You don't f*** around with kindness and sincerety.

[@kathowed]

Can you please, please, PLEASE, number the segments in the description (if not the title)?

[@CatyBee]

And put them in a daily playlist.

[@kathowed]

@@CatyBee To be fair, they do get put in a playlist, but you have to wait another day.

[@debschaefer7820]

Thoughts and prayers go out to you in this darkest of time.

[@kathowed]

🤭@@debschaefer7820

[@NewMessage]

Happy birthday Regina!

[@BJK1715]

HE CHEATED ON HER!!! 😬 🤔 HE'S A LYING, CHEATING PIG! 🧐

[@mylittlepitbull3143]

What a great pair to have on stage. One of the funniest men ever to live and another man who is kind of funny.

[@AllanAdamson]

I remember the first time I saw Johnny & his show.. I was probably 6 years old, I had a black & white TV in my bedroom for my Nintendo & someone showed me how to get TV shows, so I turned it on one night & there was Johnny talking.. & frankly I didn't understand anything.. & so I kept watching.. & watching.. for days, weeks, months, I wanted to understand every word, every joke, every phrase, all that I could & we moved around a lot but Johnny was there

[@boreduser12]

The editing geez

[@calvinthebull4849]

Colbert is outclassed by letterman

[@bretEdwards]

It don't get much better than these two icons. i don't think I missed a single Letterman show in over 25 years. Taped or live, I saw them all. He was probably the best. Yes better than Carson!!

[@HOPEat]

Two of my favorite people of ALL time. 🍻☮️

[@jondunmore4268]

You need to get out more...

[@ChrisSMurphy1]

When I think back of my childhood, it's Letterman....he made it all OK.

[@zenseed75]

Love DAVE!

[@barrettpickett5603]

That freight elevator sounds really old.

[@ThamiumOne]

It's the Ed Sullivan theater - it probably was being used as far back as 1950 to haul sets, band equipment and large animals up and down every week. And maybe even before that - the theater itself is nearly 100 years old.

[@chansopheapthai454]

The Legend. ❤

[@deansheets]

I love the joke that john stewart still lives under colbert's desk.

[@Ladyboneyard]

Bob Weir & Jerry Garcia was always a fun interview. 😹🙏🏼💛

[@emnurse2056]

I cried when David was leaving and initially had a hard time transitioning to Stephen, couldn’t enjoy watching at first. It was when Stephen did a very serious “monologue” type speech, talking people off the ledge with what was looking to be the win of election votes for Trump. Stephen was the voice of reason at a very concerning time for this country. He was as encouraging as he could be trying to be hopeful, for our nation, for perseverance, in the face of grave concerns. Brought me to tears. And from that speech on, I was hooked on Stephen. He changed my mourning the loss of Dave, and attitude toward the transition.

[@Rooster792]

David was great! They did him wrong not giving the tonight show to him. Respect to Stephen, you could tell he honored him. In my opinion Stephen has the best interviewing skills

[@gallery7596]

Dave turning down *NBC's* last ditch "Tonight Show" offer was the best decision he ever made. *CBS* was far better to him than *NBC* ever treated Jay. Biggest mistake Jay ever made was not going to *CBS* when he had the chance.

[@cw6043]

Stephen's prop master livin' under the desk was fun...

[@CatyBee]

Incredible props are strewn around everywhere!

[@Kate-ui5kc]

The elder statesman of bedtime topical humor ❤️

[@senorbambu]

Much as he's laugh out loud funny 'n' all, there's something kinda hard-hearted about Dave. Give me the great, self-effacing, and hilarious Colbert any night of the week.

[@DarknessIsThePath]

"What kind of show is this guy going to do?" lol

[@notsure1969]

A master interviewing a legend.

[@vincentbaca790]

Letterman, a true master of talent..Colbert, a true tool...

[@muffinman4353]

Colbert's a punk...

[@SusanRazmic]

Love Letterman since his days as a weatherman in Indianapolis 🩵

[@moniqueengleman873]

He had star subtle energy. You could see right away that he was unique.

[@gericarapazza333]

I’m surprised you didn’t give him the Stephen Colbert questionaire!

[@jodavimusic]

“You said something else. What were you working on?” Letterman, still an amazing interviewer even when he’s not interviewing.

[@wowJhil]

A legend!

[@PublishedYABroadcasting]

I think Colbert should have gave letterman the desk as a sign of respect 0:59

[@0HARE]

Oh, this is Late Night gold!

[@DJTheoSF]

Much Respect David :)

[@GinaFloresMolinaLateShow]

Happy Ber Month’s

[@Zuckerpuppekopf]

Should have gotten Letterman to read his own Top Ten ....

[@wayneg.8232]

Letterman could show Colbert a thing or two about comedy and being funny.

[@lorrainedecosta5079]

Agree 100%. Colbert is a hack.

[@tomking2613]

The legended .. The family Man.. The only... Mr Letterman

[@alarnahbliss3786]

Funny to hear Stephen reverting back to the accent he must have had whilst auditioning