First Aired: August 30th, 1993
Status: Ended
Network: CBS
Summary: Late Show with David Letterman is an American late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated and CBS Television Studios. The show's music director and band-leader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is Paul Shaffer. The head writer is Matt Roberts and the announcer is Alan Kalter. Of the major U.S. late-night programs, Late Show ranks second in cumulative average viewers over time and third in number of episodes over time. The show leads other late night shows in ad revenue with $271 million in 2009.
In most U.S. markets the show airs at 11:35 p.m. Eastern/Pacific time, but is recorded Monday through Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m and 6:00 p.m. The second Thursday episode usually airs on Friday of that week.
In 2002, Late Show with David Letterman was ranked No. 7 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time. CBS has a contract with Worldwide Pants to continue the show through 2014; by then, Letterman will surpass Johnny Carson as the longest tenured late-night talk show host.
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Season 5
Episode 7: Salma Hayek, Joan Cusak, Louie Anderson
Air Date: September 9th, 1997
Summary: Dave calls the pay phone island outside so that an unsuspecting tourist could participate in a comedy skit. When nobody picks up a phone, Dave goes on the street and invites a guy from Vermont to perform a musical number with Tony Randall.
Episode 23: Bryant Gumbel, Harland Williams, Everclear
Air Date: October 7th, 1997
Summary: Joe G. stars in the new crime drama ""Joey Ventura,"" and clips from the show are scattered throughout the night; Dave gives Paul crap for bumping into a cameraman; Bryant Gumbel promotes his soon-to-debut news program.
Episode 28: Tom Brokaw, Stevie Starr, Green Day
Air Date: October 14th, 1997
Summary: After Dave shows clips of past bunny antics, the Late Show presents ""How Many Guys in Bunny Suits Can Get in the Times Square Disney Store?"" The answer: Three. Later, Stevie Starr shows Dave the magic of forcing yourself to regurgitate.
Episode 44: Marv Albert, Daniel Scribner & Tylin Hall, John Fogerty
Air Date: November 12nd, 1997
Summary: The greatest six minutes in Late Show history: When the Top Ten card is missing, Dave runs out of the theater, is hit by a cab, runs into Al Roker, and goes into Flashdancers and takes the card off one of the strippers. Shortly afterwards, Paul, missing his sheet music for the Top Ten, runs out of the theater, is hit by a tour bus, runs into Regis Philbin, and goes into the NY Stock Exchange, where he finds his sheet music on the floor. Just as Dave begins the Top Ten, Biff is missing his headset, so he runs out of the theater, is hit by a police horse, runs into Gavin MacLeod, and goes into a Burger King to grab a headset off a sales clerk. When he finally returns, there is no time left for the Top Ten.
Episode 53: Kids Tell Jokes, Marisa Tomei, James Taylor
Air Date: November 25th, 1997
Summary: Dave brings in cab driver Carlos Andrede, who becomes the master of ceremonies in the hastily-produced ""Carlos Andrede Thanksgiving Day Parade,"" featuring performances from Miss New York 1998 and the Rutgers University Marching Band.
Episode 55: Kevin Spacey, Art Donovan, Wallflowers
Air Date: November 27th, 1997
Summary: It's time for another call to Dave's mom to play ""Guess the Pies""; tonight, she's baked coconut butterscotch pecan pie and cherry pie as well as a sculpted head of Dave made of stuffing. Also, George Clarke starts singing to the new live CD.
Episode 57: Courteney Cox, Peyton Manning, Shania Twain
Air Date: December 8th, 1997
Summary: Grover Washington, Jr. sits in; Dave shows a Sing and Snore Ernie that he bought yesterday, and it's head tragically comes off with blood gushing out; Dave and Heisman Trophy candidate Peyton Manning go one-on-one in the latest Late Show QB Challenge.
Episode 62: Kevin Costner, Tyra Banks, Nina & Nickolai
Air Date: December 15th, 1997
Summary: Dave and Tony go to Giants Stadium so Tony can be a kicker, with a little help from Giants coach Jim Fassel, plus kickers Brad Daluiso and Danny Kanell; a man claiming to be the new president of Iran promotes the ""Live on Letterman"" CD; Tyra Banks shows Dave her $3 million bra.
Episode 68: Terry Bradshaw, Billy Zane, Darlene Love
Air Date: December 23rd, 1997
Summary: It's ""Holiday Tradition Night"" on the Late Show: Another Darlene Love/Bette Sussman performance of ""Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),"" along with another Paul Shaffer impression of Cher's ""O Holy Night,"" not to mention another Late Show QB Challenge with Jay Thomas. Also, Biff goes to Queens to look for Santa.
Episode 69: Quentin Tarantino, Anne Heche, Kenny Wayne Shepard Band
Air Date: December 26th, 1997
Summary: During Mailbag, ""The Biff Henderson Celebrity Telephone Interview"" interrogates a man claiming to be Dick Clark. Later in the show, during Dave's interview with Anne Heche, Ellen Degeneres walks onstage with ""their"" baby (actually Michelle O'Callaghan's).
Episode 72: Samuel L. Jackson, Howie Long, Louie C.K.
Air Date: January 5th, 1998
Summary: Like he does every year, Dave regales us with another one of his far-fetched New Year's stories. After Leon Pendarvis brings him down to earth, Dave confesses that he and Biff celebrated by photocopying their face at Kinko's.
Episode 76: Penelope Ann Miller, Terry Pledger, Collective Soul
Air Date: January 9th, 1998
Summary: CBS Mailbag: Chris Schmitt of Ottawa, Kansas asks why Biff has a scowl on his face. Biff comes onstage as a lobster is hooked on his backside. Later, Dave explains the formula for comedy success: ""Lobster + Ass = Funny!""
Episode 78: Bill Pullman, Jim Breuer, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham
Air Date: January 13rd, 1998
Summary: Mick Fleetwood sits in again, now joined by pianist Allen Toussaint. Also, tonight's ""May We See Your Photos, Please?"" is a surprising disappointment, as there was only one customer, and he was dropping off a roll of film.
Episode 82: Michael Isikoff, Sarah Ferguson
Air Date: January 26th, 1998
Summary: Dave finds three girls in the audience that have never slept with President Clinton; Bob Borden covers the Super Bowl, so Dave implies that Sparky Mortimer can actually get some studying done this year; for one night only, the Top Ten Office moves to Worchester, Pennsylvania; Dave chats with the Newsweek reporter that broke the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
Episode 83: Robert Duvall, Kennedy, Emmylou Harris
Air Date: January 27th, 1998
Summary: Dave brings out his top intern Duane, who might be a Chippendale dancer on the side. Also, Dave complains about Late Show knockoffs and shows as an example ""The Simon Harvey Show"" from Australia. The host: Tony Randall.
Episode 87: Tom Arnold, Steve Forbes, Jake Johannsen
Air Date: February 2nd, 1998
Summary: Throughout the week, guitarist Mike Campbell fills in for Felicia, who has the flu; Dave mentions that yesterday was the sixteenth anniversary of the debut of Late Night; Tom Arnold promotes his struggling, self-titled WB sitcom.
Episode 93: Bill Cosby, Blues Brothers
Air Date: February 10th, 1998
Summary: Remote: Dave goes door-to-door in New Jersey again, this time to ask about the Winter Olympics. Also, to promote their new film, the reunited Blues Brothers Band (including Paul, Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman, and a twelve-year-old boy) perform ""Sweet Home Chicago.""
Episode 95: Adam Sandler, Jack Hanna
Air Date: February 12nd, 1998
Summary: While playing ""Know Your Current Events,"" a soon-to-be unemployed stewardess for United Airlines tells Dave, ""Passengers are our worst enemy."" Also, ten US Olympic hockey players present the Top Ten, while Dorothy interviews Kristi Yamaguchi, Jim Nantz, and K. C. Boutiette.
Episode 97: Heather Locklear, Tom Selleck
Air Date: February 16th, 1998
Summary: Live via satellite in Nagano, Japan: Dorothy's feeling under the weather, Biff and his wife Carolyn chat with Winter Olympic athletes. Also, Tony shows us a cue card supposedly burned in an office fire that weekend, while Dale Earnhardt, Sr. presents the Top Ten.
Episode 100: Bob Dole, Marilyn Manson
Air Date: February 19th, 1998
Summary: Almost halfway into the show, Dave suddenly leaves and gets into a cab that drives to Mexico, then San Francisco. Dave then boats across the Pacific, stops in Japan and sweeps the ice during an Olympic Curling competition in Nagano. Also in Nagano, Dorothy stumbles upon Bob Dole, while Biff searches for celebrity look-alikes.
Episode 101: Stupid Pet Tricks, Jonny Moseley
Air Date: February 20th, 1998
Summary: In ""Day in New York City with Olympic Judges,"" the one female judge gives Dave's performance in bed a 2.8; during Stupid Pet Tricks, Biff demonstrates a trick he learned in Nagano; throughout the night, Jonny Moseley ski-jumps outside the theater on 53rd Street.
Episode 103: Kelsey Grammer, Sarah Tueting & Cammi Granato, Sarah McLachlan
Air Date: February 24th, 1998
Summary: Dave points out that Rob Burnett made a cameo on last night's episode of Cosby; the editors of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue reveal that most of the photo shoot was done at the White House; Dave chats with Cammi Granato and Sarah Tueting of the gold medal-winning US women's hockey team.
Episode 107: Patrick Stewart, Frank Urbancic, Joan Cusak
Air Date: March 2nd, 1998
Summary: As usual, Dave cheats in his annual competition with the World Grocery Bagging Champion. This years' sucker: Frank Urbancic. Also, Dave shows a (bogus) clip of President Clinton skiing, then shows a preview of the upcoming CBS special ""Pat Farmer: Master Escape Artist"" (co-starring Kenny Sheehan).
Episode 112: Emma Thompson, Alex Zanardi, Willie Nelson & Emmylou Harris
Air Date: March 16th, 1998
Summary: Dave wears glasses for the duration of the show (a sign of things to come); Sean Pelton fills in for Anton, whom Dave dubs ""Anton Zippy Stickwork;"" Wilford Brimley sits in ""Paul Shaffer's Chair of Mystery;"" Formula One racing star Alex Zanardi cooks.
Episode 113: John Travolta, Jack Johnson, The Chieftains
Air Date: March 17th, 1998
Summary: It looks at first like the studio is being filled with green beer, but it turns out that one of the camera lenses have been tinted; ""Leonardo DiCaprio"" (Gerard) gloats over his newfound stardom; Dave chats with child actor Jack Johnson.
Episode 116: Charles Grodin, Edward Burns, Marcy Playground
Air Date: March 25th, 1998
Summary: Dave shows a (bogus) ad for British Airways that is bursting with disclaimers; Laurie Diamond milks a cow backstage; another edition of ""Please Stop Calling Me Chief"" provides entertainment only to Dave; Charles Grodin acts remarkably hostile during his interview.
Episode 118: Al Franken, Lauren Holly, Ani DiFranco
Air Date: March 27th, 1998
Summary: Paul is introduced as ""Ramone Conde""; Dave introduces Mishi, the world record holder for smallest man alive, and later Mishi holds a kitty to demonstrate his miniscule size on camera; Helen Hunt (live via satellite) presents the Top Ten.
Episode 119: Evander Holyfield, Joseph Loveland, Michael Moore
Air Date: March 30th, 1998
Summary: Paul is introduced as Al Roker; throughout the night, Pat Farmer throws basketballs from the roof and into a bathtub on 53rd Street; Dave complains that the balls are ""fruity""; Dave chats with a man who found $70,000 in a garbage can, then returned it to its rightful owner.
Episode 121: Alec Baldwin, Heather Graham, Barenaked Ladies
Air Date: April 1st, 1998
Summary: Paul is introduced as Cubby O'Brien; Heather Graham meets The Guy on Fire; Alec Baldwin helps Heather in a weird April Fool's gag in which they sign off and wish everybody a good night a la Saturday Night Live.
Episode 122: Tom Brokaw, Ice Cube, Natalie Imbruglia
Air Date: April 2nd, 1998
Summary: Bruce Willis is live via satellite in Idaho from the set of his upcoming film ""Breakfast of Champions."" All night long he's inside a television monitor that bungee jumps off the roof, then gets dropped onto glass, a bathtub of pudding, and finally gets smashed from six stories onto the street. Also, Tom Brokaw gets annoyed by Dave and in mid-interview walks right back to 30 Rockefeller Center.
Episode 123: Tom Hanks, Matt Medenweldt, Scott Weiland
Air Date: April 3rd, 1998
Summary: Tom Hanks interrupts the monologue because he and Dave are dressed alike; throughout the night, spelling bee champ Edmund Gillette stands next to Rob's desk and spells words; during Mailbag, Alan Kalter reacts badly to a letter asking if he's a freak by visiting the letter-writer (Jay Johnson) and punching in his face; Tom gets a new suit.
Episode 126: James Belushi, Lacey Chabert, Robbie Robertson
Air Date: April 8th, 1998
Summary: Throughout the night, Bob Borden tries to set off car alarms directly outside the theater; Dave announces that The Guy on Fire is willing to perform for $2700 a pop, though the guy will come out sans flames for only $700; Jim Belushi attempts singing a old Perry Como song.
Episode 127: Val Kilmer, Jimmie Walker, cast of Cabaret
Air Date: April 9th, 1998
Summary: After mentioning a minor disagreement from earlier today, Dave announces his ""blood feud"" with director Jerry Foley; Mujibur and Sirajul appear on Jerry Springer, and no one's surprise, beat the crap out of each other; Dave starts ostracizing all the people who support Jerry in the ongoing squabble; Alan Cumming and the cast of the Broadway revival of Caberet perform the opening number.
Episode 129: Gwyneth Paltrow, Harmony Korine, Wyclef Jean
Air Date: April 20th, 1998
Summary: Dave announces the birth of Jerry Foley's son; after showing footage from last year of Rob Burnett unwittingly scaring his young daughter in a Easter Bunny suit, he tries on a different outfit with more or less the same results; Harmony Korine almost says something coherent while being interviewed about his new book, which he wouldn't particularly recommend, so Dave tells him to go back to his hotel and take a shower.
Episode 130: Claire Danes, George Miller, Matthew Ryan
Air Date: April 21st, 1998
Summary: The Guy Not on Fire announces that he is now available for commercials and endorsements, and later in the show he is seen in an ad for Sizzler. Also, Danny DeVito comes out onstage twice to protest Dave's jokes about him being a car hood ornament.
Episode 131: Jason Alexander, Isabella Rossellini, Steve Earle
Air Date: April 22nd, 1998
Summary: The Guy Not on Fire appears in his first paid ad (for Elite Computers); a chat with Jason Alexander is interrupted by another inane special report by Alan Richardson; Steve Earle and the Dukes perform ""I Still Carry You Around.""
Episode 132: Ricki Lake, Vaughn Cordle, Rita Wilson
Air Date: April 23rd, 1998
Summary: ""Know Your Current Events"" is interrupted so that The Man Not on Fire can pitch the Biore® self-heating mask. Later in the show, Dave admits that he's on a guilt trip for bumping an audience member for the shameless plug.
Episode 133: Jennifer Aniston, Jerry Springer, Al Green
Air Date: April 24th, 1998
Summary: Amongst the festivities of ""Chicago Night"": Jerry Springer's bouncers stand on opposite sides of the stage; The Man Not on Fire appears in an ad for Gold Coast Drugs; the Top Ten home office is temporarily moved to nearby Schaumberg, Illinois; local blues singer (and frequent guest) Taj Mahal presents the Top Ten; Bob Borden goes on a frantic pursuit through the Windy City attempting to get an interview with Oprah.
Episode 134: Marisa Tomei, Ryan Leaf, Alana Davis
Air Date: April 27th, 1998
Summary: Dave persuades an audience member named Gary to shave off his beard; The man who was on fire, then wasn't and is now on fire again promotes Kraus Chiropractic in Iowa; Gary orders a sandwich at Hello Deli; Dave and recent NFL draft pick Ryan Leaf throw footballs at a manhole.
Episode 135: Jack Hanna, Ray Allen, Dave Matthews Band
Air Date: April 28th, 1998
Summary: Willie ""Blue Moon"" Watts sits in on pedal guitar; Dave announces that there have been some technical difficulties they may prevent Johnny Depp from appearing on the 1000th show later in the week; The Man on Fire sings the praises of Feline Pine kitty litter.
Episode 138: Stupid Human Tricks, Norm MacDonald, Pearl Jam
Air Date: May 1st, 1998
Summary: Tonight's ""Stupid Human Tricks"": Richard Anthony of Ontario reaches back over his shoulder and gives himself a wedgie; John Rites of Nebraska fits three McDonald's burgers into his mouth; and Mike Garcia and Craig Love of Milwaukee do an impression of a helicopter as one spins on the other's head; Gene Siskel makes his first public appearance since undergoing brain surgery that April; Dave announces Johnny Depp cancelled due to the technical difficulties from earlier in the week, and Paul goes on a tirade about it.
Episode 147: Jim Breuer, Tara Lipinski, Foo Fighters
Air Date: May 14th, 1998
Summary: Dave gripes about the eight-minute late start for the show tonight due to golf coverage. Rapidly becoming despondent, he picks up a bottle of tequila and tosses back a few at the desk. Also, Dave mentions that the CBS program Diagnosis Murder had the unfortunate distinction of airing a brand new episode up against the Seinfeld finale, and shows a clip that proves that they were phoning it in.
Episode 148: Richard Simmons, Beau Jaques and the Zydeco Highrollers
Air Date: May 15th, 1998
Summary: Continuing a sweeps period trend of having the audience represent a different city, Dave greets 700+ residents of New Orleans, Louisiana. Keeping up with the theme, Mayor Mark Morial presents Paul with a key to the city, Na'lens native John Goodman presents the Top Ten, and Biff visits Bourbon Street.
Episode 150: Sandra Bullock, Jeff Foxworthy, Cast of One Small Step
Air Date: May 19th, 1998
Summary: The outside cam returns to the Friends ad that Matthew Perry wrecked last night, and Dave explains why he shouldn't be sued; Rob Burnett draws another doodle of Dave's lawyers; the Top Ten list is interrupted by the office manager in Wahoo, Nebraska (voice of Charles Grodin).
Episode 151: Drew Carey, Scarlett Johannson, Soul Asylum
Air Date: May 20th, 1998
Summary: Biff reports from a Bulls-Pacers playoff game; teen actress Scarlett Johansson promotes The Horse Whisperer; Rob Burnett is dressed to the nines tonight, so Dave asks him to host the last twenty minutes of the show.
Episode 153: Harry Connick, Jr., Hank Azaria
Air Date: May 22nd, 1998
Summary: A parody of VH-1's ""Behind the Music"" features Paul Shaffer's rise and fall and rise again, with testimonials from Kris Kristofferson, Eddie Vedder, Sting, Erik Estrada (who replaced Paul as bandleader), Lou Reed, and WCBS-TV's local news anchor Dana Tyler (see recap).
Episode 154: John Goodman, Esther Canadas, Sarah McLachlan
Air Date: June 1st, 1998
Summary: Dave updates his map of the various locales in which he has received speeding tickets; Dave mentions that the son of Dave Dorsett was selected in today's MLB draft; Biff promotes his new culinary program ""Cookin' Naked with Biff""; Art Garfunkel shoots free throws, and then goes one-on-one with a lookalike staffer named Gary.
Episode 155: Norm MacDonald, Jacques Villeneuve, Randy Travis
Air Date: June 2nd, 1998
Summary: All night long, animals lick the camera lens. Included are a pot-bellied pig, lemur, a skunk, a miniature horse, and a guy dressed as a cat (Film Coordinator Rick ""Shecky"" Scheckman). Also, Dave announces his new catchphrase: ""Holy crap!""
Episode 158: George Carlin, Bob Saget, Emmylou Harris, Indigo Girls, Luscious Jackson, Rebekah
Air Date: June 5th, 1998
Summary: Live via satellite at the Beverly Hills Hotel in sunny Southern California, Walter Matthau gets a haircut. Also, Luscious Jackson, Emmylou Harris, and the Indigo Girls perfrom together to promote Lilith Fair '98.
Episode 169: Piedmont Bird Callers, George Clooney, Steve Yzerman
Air Date: June 22nd, 1998
Summary: The Piedmont Bird Callers, once a favored act on Johnny Carson's show, make their third-ever appearance on Letterman. Also, Dave chats with Steve Yzerman, captain of the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings.
Episode 175: Martha Anne Godwin, Kristen Johnston, Lucinda Williams
Air Date: June 30th, 1998
Summary: After several weeks of hype, hoopla, and anticipation, Dave finally does a ""Charts and Graphs"" segment; Dave claims that there's a webcam of him on the CBS site; child hollerin' champion Martha Anne Goodwin attempts to shatter Dave's eardrums.
Episode 176: Tom Brokaw, Steve Zahn, The Hummingbirds with Stevie Wonder & Paul Simon
Air Date: July 1st, 1998
Summary: Thinking that it's robbing him of half of his audience, Dave shows phony clips of the X-Games competition being aired on cable; The Dixie Hummingbirds (featuring Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon) perform ""Loves Me like a Rock.""
Episode 177: Ben Stiller, Hatty Jones, Spice Girls
Air Date: July 2nd, 1998
Summary: In honor of Independence Day, Biff does a report from Colonial Williamsburg; Ben Stiller promotes There's Something About Mary; The Spice Girls make their first television appearance since the departure of Geri ""Ginger"" Halliwell.
Episode 178: The Beltway Bunch, Stupid Pet Tricks, Bob Dole
Air Date: July 3rd, 1998
Summary: During Mailbag, various staffers show the audience their baby pictures; Dave introduces a musical comedy troupe called ""The Beltway Bunch"" (a rip-off of The Capital Steps), and Tony runs them offstage; just before introducing tonight's ""Stupid Pet Tricks,"" Dave thanks Merrill Markoe (who underwent surgery earlier in the day) for giving him the idea to do this segment.
Episode 183: Gabriel Byrne, John Witherspoon, Tricky & P.J. Harvey
Air Date: July 17th, 1998
Summary: The ""Top Ten Cool Ways the Government Could Spend $63 Billion"" is followed by an investigation by WCBS reporter David Diaz, who scrutinizes the lack of effort put into the long-running comedy piece. Interviews with Gerard, Biff, Richard Jewell and FBI Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) leave the mystery unsolved.
Episode 186: Tony Danza, Peter Farrelly, Brian Wilson
Air Date: July 22nd, 1998
Summary: Biff stands on the sidewalk in 95 degree heat as he tries to determine once again whether a Popsicle® or a Fudgesicle® will melt faster; around the corner from the theater, Dave hoses down passerby; The Farrelly Brothers promote the sleeper hit of 1998, There's Something About Mary, while they strut their ""knowledge"" of sumo wrestling.
Episode 188: Pauly Shore, Pam Grier, Natalie Imbruglia
Air Date: July 24th, 1998
Summary: A new feature debuts, as Dave announces #3 on the Top Ten List at the start of the show; Mujibur and Sirajul lose their virginity on an internet webcam, and later they hop in bed with Pauly Shore; Natalie Imbruglia performs ""Smoke.""
Episode 190: Kids with animals, Gary Sinise, Goo Goo Dolls
Air Date: July 28th, 1998
Summary: A softball game between Late Show staffers and the cast of Miss Saigon is rigged by Dave; Anton goes into ""Buddy Rich, Jr."" mode and performs drums solos throughout the night; The Goo Goo Dolls perform ""Iris.""
Episode 193: Jamie Lee Curtis, George Freestone
Air Date: July 31st, 1998
Summary: Dave points out an audience member who looks like Kenny Rogers; during ""Late Show en espanol,"" Tony walks out in a suit and bad wig and does a Letterman-type monologue; Dave chats with George Firestone, America's oldest living Boy Scout.
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