Tom Shales on Later (1991) and Late Late Show (1997)

Two late night conversations with TV critic icon Tom Shales, who passed away at 79 yesterday, January 13, 2024.
1. January 14, 1991: Later with Bob Costas. Tom is 46 here.
2. July 25, 1997: Late Late Show with guest-host Jon Stewart. Tom at 52.
Sorry about the overall quality of the Costas video. It tracks better on another VCR that's no longer functional.
The Late Late Show appearance is shared here by kind permission of Worldwide Pants, Inc.

[@deputay]

Thanks so much for this, Don. His book "On the Air!" Is a hilarious collection of his take on TV at the time

[@demitasse22]

Thanks! Live from New York was next in my stack

[@Rob_Kates]

Shales says he would choose The Simpsons over Cosby. The Simpsons is still going, after 35 years. Plus, some Letterman writers wrote for The Simpsons, so did Conan.

[@zefallafez]

That was great. Thanks.

[@JeffW77]

Just watched this. And just learned that Tom died yesterday. I remember hearing Tom's review of Star Wars on NPR in 1977. Thanks Tom and RIP.

[@andyinoregon]

I remember finding it hard to believe in the decade of the 1980s that Tom Shales and Roger Ebert weren't somehow related. They both felt like kindred spirits at the time.

[@Rob_Kates]

Yes, Shales was like the Ebert of TV critics. Both won a Pulitzer for criticism, very impressive.

[@andyinoregon]

@@Rob_Kates Shales and Ebert bring to mind that notion of a brother from another mother. Both born and raised in Illinois.

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

Amazing times.

[@steveconn]

A witty critic. RIP

[@SaintMartins]

My favorite sitcom of all time: Cheers 1982-1993 My favorite comedy variety show: The Kids In The Hall 1989-1995 My favorite late night talk show host: David Letterman 1982-2015 My favorite drama series: 21 Jump Street 1987-1991 My favorite reality show: Celebrity Rehab 2008-2012

[@JeffW77]

Letterman="Therapeutic Insanity" haha

[@Danimal77]

Tom Shales looks like if Roger Ebert and a young Bill Gates had a kid. RIP.

[@marciarohde3930]

Letterman Insanity but I love it. Grate fun he was so Entertaining ❤

[@rezkat6]

hey Don, is there any chance you could track down the full version of the sketch Drew Barrymore and Dave did where they got married? I believe it was in 1995. can't seem to find it anywhere.

[@dongiller]

I haven’t been able to share additional Dave-owned or -licensed content since February 2022 except in special circumstances, and I highly doubt this will be considered one of them. What you might do is ask the official Dave channel here: [e-mail].

[@rezkat6]

@@dongiller that's such a shame! thanks for the response anyway

[@rezkat6]

@@dongiller hey, put of curiosity what are these special circumstances by which you are allowed upload clips?

[@dongiller]

Nothing hard and fast. All depends on the circumstances. I realize that’s so vague as to be meaningless, but it’s all I gots.

[@rezkat6]

@@dongiller haha alright then. strange that they’d still let you post some stuff..

[@jeffland9992]

Can you post the series of appearances on letterman of Ralph Nader Please and thank you

[@dongiller]

I cannot and you’re welcome.

[@JohnRedshaw]

Maybe it's just me, but I feel good television is better today because of all the streaming choices.

[@winonafrog]

Thank you Don! As always. Cannot watch Shales without thinking of The Larry Sanders Show episode with him 😅. May God bless you & your loved ones.

[@kurtangle83]

I've got to admit, as strange as it sounds considering the pop culture sponge I am, I've never heard of Tom Shales before now, but he's very entertaining to listen to. And he seems like he could be Roger Ebert's younger brother in his looks and the way he talks.

[@winonafrog]

Totally.

[@smithintern-tainment7868]

I’m really diggin your uploads, man. Looking forward to watching a buncha them

[@dongiller]

Thanks! Welcome to the rabbit hole. Don’t forget to eat. And sleep.

[@johnrock2022]

Thanks for this, Donz. Mr. Shales was one of the few people, certainly one of the few 'critics' that "got" Dave.

[@progmot]

TS also made a cameo on “The Larry Sanders Show”. IIRC, Larry was complaining about tv critics on his talk show with a guest. In a later scene, he is out having dinner and TS is there where they have an awkward conversation. (Curious if he was working on another edition of “Live From New York” for SNL’s 50th anniversary).

[@winonafrog]

“Dear Tom Shales, you d*** f***…” 😅