- The David Letterman Show
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This article is about a past morning talk show. For David Letterman's first late night show, see Late Night with David Letterman. For his current show, see Late Show with David Letterman.
The David Letterman Show Format Talk/Variety Show Presented by David Letterman Narrated by Bob Sarlatte
Bill WendellCountry of origin 
United StatesNo. of episodes 90 Production Executive producer(s) Willie Stein
Jack RollinsRunning time 90 Minutes (June 23-August 1)
60 Minutes (August 4-October 24)Production company(s) Space Age Meats
in association with NBCBroadcast Original channel NBC Original run June 23, 1980 – October 24, 1980 The David Letterman Show is a live morning NBC talk show hosted by David Letterman from June 23 to October 24, 1980. The show originally ran for 90 minutes, then 60 minutes from August 4 onward.
Contents
Background
A precursor to 1982's Late Night with David Letterman, the show was a critical success but the edgy comedy did not go over well with morning television watchers, more used to talk shows, soap operas, game shows and prime time reruns. The show had replaced the daytime version of Hollywood Squares, High Rollers, and Chain Reaction on NBC's schedule (NBC president Fred Silverman also considered canceling Wheel of Fortune as well, but he changed his mind upon discovering that the show was in fact one of the highest-rated programs on the network's morning schedule).
The original producer was Bob Stewart, a veteran quiz-show creator who had enlisted Letterman as a panelist on Pyramid from 1978 onward. However, due to creative differences, Stewart left the show four days before its premiere.[citation needed] Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers wrote the opening theme of the show.
Behind the scenes were Hal Gurnee directing and Barry Sand producing. The writing staff consisted of Merrill Markoe (head writer), Valri Bromfield, Rich Hall, Gary Jacobs, Harold Kimmel, Edie McClurg, Gerard Mulligan, Paul Raley, Ron Richards, and Letterman.
Lou Del Prete, was the associate producer, Stephen H. Schwartz, was the creative consultant. Joan Gelman, Christine Lalonde, and Willie Stein were the talent coordinators. Lisbeth Anderson was the production manager, Terri Guarnier was the unit manager. Francine Bergman was the production coordinator, Cynthia Kayan was the researcher. Kathleen Ankers was the art director, Joyce Hurley was the associate director. Chrissy Frances was the music coordinator.
The production staff consisted of George Callahan, Kim Carney, Lee B. Chernick, Barbara Gaines, Edd Hall, Tim Holton, Brian J. McAloon, Meg Mortimer, Dency Nelson, and David Reale.
The news producer was Alan Mohan, news writer was Nick Allen. Bill Kelley was the technical director.
The program was produced by Space Age Meats, a precursor to Letterman's later production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated.
Guests
Valri Bromfield, Edie McClurg, Rich Hall, Gerard Mulligan, Merrill Markoe and Paul Raley all appeared on the show and served as writers. Edd Hall (later the announcer on Jay Leno's Tonight Show) and current Late Show producer Barbara Gaines were both production assistants, while stage manager Biff Henderson and director Hal Gurnee would follow Dave to his next two shows. Announcer/comedian Bob Sarlatte was replaced partway through the run by Bill Wendell, who would also announce on Dave's next two shows. Music director was Frank Owens. Longtime NBC newsman Edwin Newman provided live news updates in the studio during each broadcast; studio audience members would often interrupt his reporting with laughter or groans, as if Newman were an anchor on Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update.
Among guests who appeared were Steve Allen, Andy Kaufman, Wil Shriner, Judy Collins, photojournalists Jon & Keiko Alpert, keyboardist Suzanne Ciani, and Jeff Greenfield, who reviewed the first show on the air and as it happened was rather apathetic toward the whole thing.
The show's musical guests included Tony winner Nell Carter.
Bill Maher can be seen in the audience of the first episode (though he was not an official guest), and Conan O'Brien claims he hitchhiked to New York just to see a broadcast in Studio 6A (which has also been home to some of Jack Paar's NBC programs, later Late Night with David Letterman and finally Late Night with Conan O'Brien).
Episode status
Approximately 83 or so episodes are held in the Late Show archives in New York; a brief clip from the finale was shown on Dave's 15th-Anniversary show in 1997 and is known to be held by collectors. Some episodes are available for on-site viewing at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York.[1]
Notes
External links
- The David Letterman Show at the Internet Movie Database
- Episode list at epguides.com
Television shows The David Letterman Show (1980) · Late Night with David Letterman (1982–1993) · Late Show with David Letterman (1993–present)Companies Worldwide Pants Incorporated · Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing · American Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming · Clear Entertainment/C.E. MusicRelated topics Top Ten List · Stupid Pet Tricks · List of David Letterman sketches · Madonna on Late Show with David Letterman · Ball State University · Late Show Fun FactsCategories:- David Letterman
- Television series by NBC Universal Television
- American television talk shows
- 1980s American television series
- 1980 television series debuts
- 1980 television series endings
- NBC network shows
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