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Late Show with David Letterman Season 1

August. 30,1993
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7
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TV-PG
| Comedy Talk
Late Show with David Letterman

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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Late Show with David Letterman

1993  / TV-PG

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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Cast
David Letterman, Paul Shaffer
Producted By
CBS Studios
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Late Show with David Letterman Season 1 Full Episode Guide

Episode 210 - Show #0210
First Aired: August. 08,1994

Dave and model Inna Mirovich toss back some vodka. Later, Howard Stern admits that he had to drop out of the New York governor's race because he refused to reveal his yearly income.

Episode 208 - Show #0208
Episode 207 - Show #0207
First Aired: August. 03,1994

The show is interrupted all night long by (bogus) CBS News special reports by anchor Alan Richardson, who sings, is beaten up by a bus driver, pitches Mountain Dew and swears about the prime lending rate.

Episode 206 - Show #0206
First Aired: August. 02,1994

Dave attends the Whitewater Hearings; up-and-coming starlet Cameron Diaz promotes ""The Mask""; Dave finally chats with Stevie Nicks (whose manager Dave criticized several years before).

Episode 202 - Show #0202
First Aired: July. 27,1994

A severed head perks out of the pothole; a doctor stands in the backdrop in case Dave suddenly becomes sick during the show; Sirajul asks a group of fishermen in South Dakota what they think of hometown boy Tom Brokaw.

Episode 201 - Show #0201
First Aired: July. 26,1994

The pothole Dave filled up with blue joke cards the previous night is sealed by none other then Mayor Guiliani; the pothole is danced upon by several fabulous babes performing Rockette-style kicks; Gin Blossoms and Kiss perform ""Christine Sixteen.""

Episode 198 - Show #0198
First Aired: July. 21,1994

Cold opening: Kenny Rogers tells Dave when to hold ‘um and when to fold ‘um. Dave also stops the show midway through to just kick back in his chair and relax, then reflect on the show thus far.

Episode 197 - Show #0197
First Aired: July. 20,1994

""Can a Guy in a Bear Suit Say Hello on a N. Y. C. Pay Phone?"" The answer? Mais oui! Also, one of the all-time great Stupid Pet Tricks makes a triumphant return when Kevin Dechico and his dog ""Air Buddy"" shoot hoops onstage.

Episode 195 - Buzz Aldrin, Susan Sarandon, Midnight Oil
First Aired: July. 18,1994

Dave returns to outside the Today Show set and displays his sign: ""Happy 100th Birthday, Willard""; in honor of the 25th anniversary of the moon landing, we see Dave accomplishing the same feat; Midnight Oil performs ""Sometimes.""

Episode 193 - Tom Hanks, Toad the Wet Sprocket
First Aired: July. 07,1994

The Runaway Camera is roaming the streets of New York City, getting squeegied, hit by a bike, down a manhole, running into Rupert Jee, and going into ""Cats"" and ""Flashdancers."" Later, in dueling clips, Dave shows embarassing clips of Tom Hanks from ""The Love Boat,"" ""Taxi,"" and ""Happy Days."" Tom retaliates with an embarassing clip of Dave from ""Mork and Mindy.""

Episode 192 - Show #0192
First Aired: July. 06,1994

Dave leaves the show after the monologue and heads upstairs to read Wresting Magazine with his face in a mud mask, and Paul retrieves him. Later, famed soccer commentator Andres Cantor repeats his most famous line to Dave: ""ggoooooooooaaaaaaallllll!""

Episode 190 - Neil Diamond, Richard Simmons
First Aired: July. 04,1994

Dave takes a cue card from Tony Mendez, re-reads a joke and then has the cue card passed around the audience. Later, Calvert DeForest dresses up as Barbra Streisand and performs ""The Way We Were,"" and guest Richard Simmons sings a patriotic medley.

Episode 188 - Siskel & Ebert, Andrea Martin, Indigo Girls
First Aired: June. 30,1994

In a spoof of Home Shopping Network, Dave sells ""Dave and Paul Collection Plates,"" giving out the phone number of head writer Rob Burnett. Also, Dave invites Megan and Tim, a couple from Kansas City, in from the storm, gives them towels to dry off, and offers them seats by the spiral stairway, where they stay throughout the show.

Episode 187 - Daniel Boulud, Helen Hunt, Green Day
Episode 186 - Penelope Ann Miller, Barbara Streisand, Mary Matalin, Tori Amos
Episode 185 - Siskel & Ebert, Tom Jones, Sam Cassell, Trisha Yearwood
First Aired: June. 27,1994

On their latest stop, Mujibur and Sirajul get serenaded by Tom Jones in Las Vegas. Wondering who's been operating K&L Rock America while they've been gone, Dave finds Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert running the shop in their place.

Episode 183 - Julia Roberts, Stone Temple Pilots, Jake Johannsen
First Aired: June. 22,1994

After a technical error prevents it from being performed the previous night, Dave presents the rest of the ""NBA Finals Quiz."" Now feeling a little queasy due to all the stress of the past two nights, Dave points out that he has a body double that will stand in for him when the time comes for him to get medical attention. Also, Dan Rather sings ""Wreck of the Old 97.""

Episode 177 - Ted Danson, David Byrne, Carl Reiner
Episode 176 - Jeremy Irons, Chris Rock, Hakeem Olajuwon
First Aired: June. 13,1994

On their first leg of the Coast-to-Coast Tour, Mujibur and Sirajul report from Niagra Falls, saluting the US flag. Paul says the idea ""looked great on paper."" Also, Dave chats with Hakeem Olajuwon of the NBA Champion Houston Rockets.

Episode 175 - David Brenner, Johnny Cash, Keanu Reeves
First Aired: June. 10,1994

Mujibur and Sirajul begin their Coast-to-Coast Tour, leaving NYC on a private jet; Keanu Reeves promotes Speed; Dave interviews David Brenner about his new radio show, and oddly enough, Dave will be David's first guest on his radio show premiere the next day.

Episode 174 - Macaulay Culkin, Randy Newman, Mona Frey
First Aired: June. 09,1994

An audience member plays a staged version of ""The Price is Right,"" and wins a can of flour. Also, Michael Buffer fills in for Billy Wendell, announcing tonight's guests (not to mention Paul and the flour guy) with his distinct baritone.

Episode 173 - Mariel Hemmingway, George Miller, Mandy Patinkin
Episode 172 - Craig T. Nelson, David Sanborn, Al Unser Jr.
Episode 171 - Reggie Miller, Spike Lee, Tony Randall, Tony Toni Tone
First Aired: June. 06,1994

Dave escorts the Stand-by Audience (all 40 of 'em) to a restaurant a few blocks away from the Ed Sullivan Theater. He later invites sailors in the audience to visit FlashDancers across the street.

Episode 168 - Kevin Pollak, Chris Isaak, Jacques Pepin
First Aired: May. 25,1994

Dave finds a sports reporter from Indianapolis outside and invites him in; Dave launches ""Top Ten Plus,"" the quicker and more efficient Top Ten list; after Dave mocks a magazine with the headline ""Sweat with Fabio,"" the male model drops a sandbag on the desk, and Dave throws him out of the theater.

Episode 167 - Woody Harrelson, Louie Anderson, Isaiah Thomas
First Aired: May. 24,1994

Dave is missing his opening ""billboard"" card with tonight's guests listed on them, so he leaves the theater, goes to the NBC Nightly News studio and gets it from a confused Tom Brokaw.

Episode 166 - Rick Moranis, Jimmy Buffett, Stefan Seville
First Aired: May. 23,1994

Dave makes another bad phone call for an audience member; Rick Moranis promotes The Flintstones, and his interview is interrupted by co-star John Goodman; Tony cleans Dave's desk.

Episode 165 - Eddie Murphy, Tony Bennett, Wayne Cotter
First Aired: May. 20,1994

Dave freshens up by walking outside the theater, towards a hot dog vendor, and washing his face in the dirty hot dog water. Also, Creepy Dave drops by annoy Dave again: ""What's up?""

Episode 163 - Stupid Pet Tricks, Carol Burnett, Emmylou Harris
First Aired: May. 18,1994

It's time for more celebrities in the audience, including Michael J. Fox, Jerry Seinfeld, Paul Shaffer, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Bill Cobsy. Also, Carol Burnett promotes her made-for-TV movie Seasons of the Heart.

Episode 162 - Jeff Goldblum, Sonic Youth, James Carville
First Aired: May. 17,1994

Dave finally has his photos from LA developed, and an audience guys helps him display the photos on the Times Square Jumbotron. Later in the show, all of tonight's guests (Slash, James Carville, and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth) also have their photos taken for the Jumbotron.

Episode 159 - Candice Bergen, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Magic Johnson
First Aired: May. 12,1994

L.A., Day 4: It's time for ""Los Angeles Souvenirs,"" including a Fabio Lawn Gnome, Record Industry Weasel Magazine, and a Honk-If-You've-Slept-with-Madonna bumper sticker. ""Madonna"" (Calvert) walks by to tell Dave he's/she's offended, and slaps him.

Episode 158 - James Cahn, David Copperfield, Julia Louis-Dreyfus
First Aired: May. 11,1994

LA, Day 3: Dave ends the show early, and then flies back to New York. Paul finds him working the cashier at K&L Rock America, so they bring Mujibur and Sirajul to CBS Television City. Also, Richard Simmons sabotages the Top Ten list because he thinks it's insulting.

Episode 157 - Michael Keaton, Angela Lansbury
First Aired: May. 10,1994

L.A., Day 2: Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda is seen gulping down Slim-Fast; Dodgers pitchers Orel Hershiser, Roger McDowell, Tom Candiotti and Jim Gott hurl fastballs toward the camera.

Episode 156 - Billy Crystal, Ray Charles
First Aired: May. 09,1994

Dave takes his show to LA for the first time since 1985. Dave throws a pencil into a wading pool that's behind his desk, and a dog retrieves it. Dave then gets into the pool to give the pencil to the dog. Later, another pencil is retrieved from the pool by Billy Crystal; ""Mayor Richard Riordan"" (Calvert) presents the Top Ten; Ray Charles performs ""What'd I Say?""

Episode 155 - Sharon Stone, Chris Farley
Episode 154 - Brett Butler, Rob Lowe, Sarah McLachlan
Episode 153 - Mia Farrow, Tim McGraw, Jimmie Walker
First Aired: May. 04,1994

Throughout the night, we have an assortment of ""Happy Endings,"" providing a satisfying coda to unusual situations. Also, Dave shows a sample of the new ""Caning Strength Bufferin.""

Episode 151 - Jerry Van Dyke, The Neville Brothers
First Aired: May. 02,1994

The outside cam heads to Times Square, during which Dave invites passerby Amy Butler in to co-host. Later in the show, Dave and Amy reflect on the wonderful weather (he's really just flirting with her).

Episode 149 - Sissy Spacek, Bonnie Raitt, Daniel Low
Episode 147 - Joan Lunden, Gin Blossoms, Michael Moore
Episode 143 - Dennis Hopper, Jessye Norman, Uta Pippig
Episode 142 - Jack Lemmon, Lyle Lovett & Al Green
First Aired: April. 19,1994

""Rejected FDA Items"" include Medicated Pringles, Tic-Tacs with Real Ticks and Tacks, Deodorant with Raisins, Milk with Adjustable Dates, and Madonna Soap; Lyle Lovett and Al Green perform ""Funny How Time Slips Away.""

Episode 141 - Don Rickles, Jeff Stearns, Liz Phair
First Aired: April. 18,1994

Mujibur and Sirajul make a visit to Mickey the barber, and they promptly receive free haircuts. Soon afterwards, Don Rickles goes in for a trim. Also, Liz Phair (in her first appearance on the show) performs ""Never Said.""

Episode 140 - Tom Brokaw, Blind Melon, Julie Brown
First Aired: April. 08,1994

Tonight marks the Late Show debut of ""The Strong Guy, the Fat Guy, the Genius,"" which pits three men of said traits against each other in various undertakings. Of the three rounds of play, they each win one competition.

Episode 138 - Andie MacDowell, Rich Hall, Matt Kramer
Episode 136 - Bob Uecker, Cheap Trick, Michael McKean
Episode 135 - Charles Grodin, Elvis Costello & The Attractions
First Aired: April. 01,1994

A day after Madonna arouses/grosses out the American viewing public by, among other things, offering Dave her underwear, Charles Grodin comes on the show tonight to offer his. Later, musical guest Elvis Costello and the Attractions perform ""13 Steps Lead Down,"" and the nerd-rocker gives Dave his sock.

Episode 134 - Madonna, Counting Crows
First Aired: March. 31,1994

Dave watches a live feed of himself watching the show at home while he's taping the show in the theater. Shots include toasting waffles, crying to Kenny Rogers music, milking a goat, and bothering Dan Rather. Also, Madonna drops by to plug her new album, spews profanities with aplomb, then refuses to leave.

Episode 133 - Martin Short, Sammy Hagar, Mary Stuart Masterson
First Aired: March. 30,1994

""Can a Guy in a Bear Suit Get into the Hard Rock Cafe?"" Apparently, he can do it with ease, but ""Can a Guy in a Bear Suit Get into the Russian Tea Room?"" Without hesitation, our hero gets a table for one.

Episode 131 - Bob Saget, Tori Amos, John Waters
Episode 130 - Kevin Kline, Placido Domingo
First Aired: March. 23,1994

""New Pharmaceuticals"" include ""Hot 'n' Spicy Tylenol,"" ""L'eggs Metal Pipe Resistant Pantyhose,"" and ""Nipsey's Own Anti-Bacterial Ointment."" Regis interrupts the segment to tell Dave he's not even trying anymore. Also, during her annual Oscars special, Barbara Walters makes Dave cry.

Episode 129 - Diane Sawyer, John Michael Montgomery, Elle MacPherson
Episode 128 - Bill Cosby, Sheryl Crow
First Aired: March. 21,1994

Dave shows an anonymous gift (Jonathan Estrada, maybe?) of a block of cheese shaped like Oklahoma. Also, up-and-coming singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow performs ""Leaving Las Vegas.""

Episode 117 - Stupid Human Tricks, Wynonna Judd, Laurence Fishburne
Episode 114 - Bebe Neuwirth, Jackson Browne
First Aired: February. 18,1994

David Sanborn sits in with the band; Dave surveys residents of Scotch Plains, NJ about the Olympics; Bebe Neuwirth promotes ""Damn Yankees"" and her anticipated guest appearance on ""Frasier.""

Episode 112 - Regis Philbin, Richard Thompson, Ben Stiller
Episode 104 - Ellen Barkin, Peter Frampton, Amanda Archaleta
First Aired: February. 04,1994

Peter Frampton sits in; Dave discusses Clinton's health care plan with a group of cab drivers; seven-year-old sheep handler Amanda Archiletta does an on-stage demonstration.

Episode 102 - Aidan Quinn, Crowded House, Michael Lamonaco
Episode 91 - Troy Aikman, Marilyn Horne, Jon Stewart
Episode 88 - Chris Elliot, Itzhak Perlman, Cokie Roberts
First Aired: January. 06,1994

Chris Elliott performs the title song from ""Cabaret;"" legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman follows with a rendition of ""Danse Espagnole."" After Perlman's performance, Dave wants to go backstage and slap Chris.

Episode 69 - Jeremy Irons, Bruce Hornsby
Episode 67 - Robin Williams, Larry Johnson
First Aired: November. 30,1993

Mandy Patinkin drops by (along with Tony Randall), and asks for rehearsal time. Before Dave gets a chance to say no, Mandy and the CBS Orchestra perform a fully-arranged ""Rockabye Your Baby.""

Episode 66 - James Belushi, Carlene Carter, Lauren Holley
First Aired: November. 29,1993

In ""Bad Phone Call,"" Dave calls the father of Michelle Polikas to tell him she's living with Bob Howard. Also, Dave takes two suckers away from Angel the camera man, and he gives them to Bob and Michelle.

Episode 64 - Penn & Teller, Dwight Yoakam, Gabriel Byrne
First Aired: November. 25,1993

Throughout the night, Calvert reports from the parade; as he does every year, Dave guesses what pies his mother made this Thanksgiving; Gabriel Byrne plugs ""Point of No Return.""

Episode 61 - Marilu Henner, Heart, Father Guido Sarducci
First Aired: November. 22,1993

""Meet the Neighbors,"" conclusion: The outside cam goes to K & L's Rock America to see Mujibur Rahman and Sirajul Islam, and Dave has them round up Bart Dadon, Fern Chapnick, Rupert Jee, Alexandra Mitsakis and Charlie Levy from the nearby stores and businesses.

Episode 53 - Mary Tyler Moore, Jackson Browne, Rita Rudner
First Aired: November. 10,1993

Mary Tyler Moore treats Late Show viewers to a video clip of Dave from her 1978 variety show, ""Mary,"" in which she smashes a grapefruit in Dave's face. Also, Dave, Biff, Gaines, Anton and Laurie Diamond get their teeth cleaned.

Episode 30 - Connie Chung, Mary Chapin Carpenter
First Aired: October. 08,1993

""Celebrities in the Audience"" makes its first appearance on the new show, as guests from previous shows are introduced in the crowd -- Glenn Close, Sylvester Stallone, Jerry Lewis, Jimmy Carter, Siskel & Ebert and Bob Borden.

Episode 26 - Sylvester Stallone, Melissa Etheridge, Janeane Garofalo
First Aired: October. 04,1993

Dave's high-rise buddy Meg Parsont (at a different building) makes her first and only appearance on CBS -- giving a description of her boyfriend Tony to a police sketch artist.

Episode 23 - Jerry Lewis, Sparky Mortimer, Rod Stewart
First Aired: September. 29,1993

Ed Sullivan's ghost introduces juggler ""Andy Head;"" Paul & the CBSO play Jerry Lewis out with the coda from Count Basie's ""April In Paris"" (a Lewis signature tune); Dave gives Jerry his take on ""Beavis and Butt-head,"" then Jerry runs around the set and gooses a cameraman; budding sports reporter Sparky Mortimer makes his first appearance; Rod Stewart performs.

Episode 12 - Paul Reiser, Mike Ditka, John Hiatt
Episode 9 - Ellen Barkin, Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, Lenny Kravitz
Episode 6 - Richard Lewis, Shawn Bouroughs, Midnight Oil
Episode 5 - Debra Winger, Soul Asylum
First Aired: September. 03,1993

Dave has fun with a car phone, calling in bogus traffic reports to 1010 WINS radio; Casey Kasem presents ""Top Ten Favorite Numbers Between 1 and 10;"" after showing a clip from an old ""Wonder Woman"" episode, Debra Winger strips to her old Wonder Girl outfit.

Episode 4 - Martin Short, Cyndi Lauper
First Aired: September. 02,1993

The ghost of Ed Sullivan (who haunts Dave throughout the first week) introduces a plate spinner; Andy Dick makes his first appearance as ""Donnie, the CBS Page Who Likes To Suck Up.""

Episode 3 - Demi Moore, Bev Tanner, Spin Doctors
Episode 2 - Robin Williams, John Mellencamp, Jonathan Estrata
First Aired: August. 31,1993

Dave's worst moment on last night's debut: his fake tooth fell out (the video is repeated several times in slow motion); a four-year-old geography expert and cheese lover names states on a U.S. map.

Episode 1 - Bill Murray, Tom Brokaw, Paul Newman, Billy Joel

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