"Late Show with David Letterman" (1993) TV series 1993-????

Director:

Randi Grossack

Writers:

Ross Abrash (writer) (2004)
Kevin Etten (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | unknown

Release Date:

30 August 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Music | Talk-Show

Tagline:

"There is no off position on the genius switch."

Plot:

The Late Show with David Letterman is an hour-long weeknight comedy and talk-show broadcast by CBS from the Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway in New York City.

Plot Keywords:

New York City | Late Night | Cult Favorite | Cult Comedy | Cult TV

Awards:

Won 9 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 80 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Nov. 24	11:35 PM	CBS
Wed. Nov. 25	11:35 PM	CBS

Cast

Paul Shaffer	...	Himself - Band Director / ... (1,677 episodes, 1993-2009)
David Letterman	...	Himself - Host / ... (1,545 episodes, 1993-2009)
Alan Kalter	...	Himself - Announcer / ... (446 episodes, 1995-2009)

Also Known As:

Late Show Backstage (USA) (title for episodes with guest hosts)
Letterman (Australia)
The Late Show (USA) (informal short title)

Runtime:

USA:60 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Boca Raton, Florida, USA

Company:

Worldwide Pants

Trivia:

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks (specifically the World Trade Center attack in New York, downtown from where "The Late Show" is taped), David Letterman was reported to have said that he didn't know if anything would ever be funny again. Most American programming (including "The Late Show") was suspended in the aftermath. However, on September 17, "The Late Show" was one of the first comedy shows to resume regular programming. The starting guest that night was Dan Rather, and the emotionally-charged episode is considered one of Letterman's finest.

Quotes:

Alan Kalter: Dwight, have you had any luck finding a summer job?
Dwight The Troubled Teen: Summer job? When all my friends are playing video games and hanging out at the mall? No way.
Alan Kalter: A summer job means spending money, Dwight. And it teaches you responsibility.
Dwight The Troubled Teen: Oh, responsibility. Like when you brag to your golf buddies about how you cheat on your taxes? And when you hit that car in the parking lot and just drove away? You disgust me, you corrupt old fraud! I hate you! I hate all of you!
Dwight The Troubled Teen: Hi, I'm Dwight the Troubled Teen. This summer, why not help make our nation's highways and byways beautiful. Join a highway clean-up program in your area. You'll be glad you did! This is Dwight the Troubled Teen saying, "Have a fun, safe summer, everyone."

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Het glazen huis: Beslissingen (#1.35)" (2004)

Dave is turning back to the old Dave!

I have been a big Letterman fan for years. I would tape shows when I was only 13, never missed a show. I agree that Letterman had his years where you could tell he felt like a failure and didn't put much into it. But I will add that he is much more real than Jay Leno. Jay Leno is your typical phony talk show host. You really saw how real Dave is if you saw his show on January 31, 2005 remembering Johnny Carson. I saw both his and Leno's shows on Johnny. Jay seemed much more scripted and fake. This was probably due to how the death of Johnny Carson hit the two, being that Dave was close with Johnny. (Johnny even wrote jokes in retirement and sent them to Dave to use). I have noticed lately that Dave's comedy is turning back around to the old Dave. Hopefully he realizes that he is appreciated and keeps up the turn around!