Late Show with David Letterman: Season 1
Episodes
Bill Murray, Tom Brokaw, Paul Newman, Billy Joel
Aug 30, 1993
Tom Brokaw shows up to take back some NBC ""intellectual property;"" Dave shows off the renovated Ed Sullivan Theater and chats with Bill Murray.
Robin Williams, John Mellencamp, Jonathan Estrata
Aug 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 sta
Demi Moore, Bev Tanner, Spin Doctors
Sep 1, 1993
A very pregnant Demi Moore is given the honor of throwing the first pencil through the backdrop windows of the Late Show.
Martin Short, Cyndi Lauper
Sep 2, 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
Debra Winger, Soul Asylum
Sep 3, 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
Richard Lewis, Shawn Bouroughs, Midnight Oil
Sep 6, 1993
Dave continues pestering locals with the new hands-free car phone: WINS radio, a car wash, Dial-a-Mattress and Jackson Hole Restaurant, where he orders pancakes.
Ellen Barkin, Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, Lenny Kravitz
Sep 9, 1993
Dave takes a cab to help out at Yankee Stadium and later makes fun of Tony Randall; Lenny Kravitz performs ""Are You Gonna Go My Way.""
Paul Reiser, Mike Ditka, John Hiatt
Sep 14, 1993
The Mars Observer crashes into the studio; Mike Ditka promotes ""NFL on NBC;"" John Hiatt performs ""Perfectly Good Guitar.""
Jeff Goldblum, Louie Anderson, Jerry Garcia & David Grisman
Sep 15, 1993
Jerry Garcia sits in with the band; Dave makes several jokes at the expense of Yassir Arafat.
Robert Urich, Ellen Degeneres, Tim Tomasic
Sep 21, 1993
David Sanborn sits in with the band; Dave does part of the show from his ""house"" in Connecticut.
Jerry Lewis, Sparky Mortimer, Rod Stewart
Sep 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
Sylvester Stallone, Melissa Etheridge, Janeane Garofalo
Oct 4, 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.
Isabella Rossellini, Bob Saget, Johnny Cash
Oct 5, 1993
Johnny Cash sings ""Don't Take Your Guns to Town.""
Candice Bergen, John Mendoza
Oct 6, 1993
Dave looks at new books for fall; Andy Dick returns as ""Donnie ... the CBS Page Who Likes to Suck Up.""
Connie Chung, Mary Chapin Carpenter
Oct 8, 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 Lewi
Annie Potts, Natalie Merchant, Dorothy Nash
Nov 4, 1993
Natalie Merchant - ""Because the Night""
Mary Tyler Moore, Jackson Browne, Rita Rudner
Nov 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,
Marilu Henner, Heart, Father Guido Sarducci
Nov 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, Rupe
Penn & Teller, Dwight Yoakam, Gabriel Byrne
Nov 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.""
James Belushi, Carlene Carter, Lauren Holley
Nov 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 give
Robin Williams, Larry Johnson
Nov 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
Jeremy Irons, Bruce Hornsby
Dec 2, 1993
Dave buys Paul a fake Rolex off the street; Chris Elliott is on hand for the world premiere of his surrealist art film ""The Traveling Poet.""
Rush Limbaugh, Harry Connick Jr.
Dec 17, 1993
Dave visits some handwriting analysts; Rush Limbaugh promotes his new book.
Bonnie Hunt, Tony Toni Tone, Dennis Rogers
Dec 29, 1993
Dave comments on FOX taking away CBS' NFL coverage; strongman Dennis ""Mighty Mite"" Rogers lifts weights.
Chris Elliot, Itzhak Perlman, Cokie Roberts
Jan 6, 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
Troy Aikman, Marilyn Horne, Jon Stewart
Jan 11, 1994
The ghost of Ed Sullivan introduces trampoline star Tom Boleen; Troy Aikman throws footballs into cabs on Broadway, and later, from a trampoline.
George Carlin, Urge Overkill, Jan Hooks
Jan 13, 1994
George Carlin promotes his new sitcom; Calvert drops by as ""The Guy Who Thinks Dave's Name is Randy.""
Kathie Lee Gifford, Aaron Neville, Bruno Kirby
Jan 19, 1994
Dave gets dragged by a cab; the cast of ""Cats"" runs into the Ed Sullivan Theater to take a bow.
Jimmy Johnson, Martin Lawrence, Concrete Blonde
Jan 31, 1994
Concrete Blonde – ""Mexican Moon""
Aidan Quinn, Crowded House, Michael Lamonaco
Feb 2, 1994
Dave comments on the upcoming Winter Olympics in Norway; staff members Debbie Drimmer, Rick Scheckman and John Beckerman tell all about their vacations last week.
Ellen Barkin, Peter Frampton, Amanda Archaleta
Feb 4, 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.
Regis Philbin, Richard Thompson, Ben Stiller
Feb 16, 1994
Throughout the night, champion canines from the Westminster Dog Show walk across the stage; Dorothy does a little shopping in Lillehammer.
Phil Hartman, George Benson, Michael Madsen
Feb 17, 1994
Dorothy interviews Tommy Moe; Phil Hartman promotes Greedy.
Bebe Neuwirth, Jackson Browne
Feb 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
Sinbad, UB40, Luke Perry
Feb 21, 1994
Dave proposes marriage on behalf of an audience member; UB40 performs ""Higher Ground.""
Stupid Human Tricks, Wynonna Judd, Laurence Fishburne
Feb 23, 1994
Two guys pretending to be Dave and Paul ice skate; Laurence Fishburne promotes Searching for Bobby Fischer.
Michael J. Fox, Spin Doctors & Roger Daltrey
Feb 25, 1994
Dorothy recaps her two weeks in Lillehammer; Michael J. Fox promotes Greedy.
Bill Cosby, Sheryl Crow
Mar 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."
Diane Sawyer, John Michael Montgomery, Elle MacPherson
Mar 22, 1994
Ten cabbies present the Top Ten; Diane Sawyer sneaks in footage of Dave from his weatherman days; Chris Elliott shows a clip from his new movie ""Poolside Ecstasy.""
Kevin Kline, Placido Domingo
Mar 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
Bob Saget, Tori Amos, John Waters
Mar 28, 1994
New York native Gurnek Basanti drives his cab into the theater; Dave devours an entire tub of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter.
Thea Vidal, Stomp, Buck Henry
Mar 29, 1994
Dave brags about the birth of his nephew; Buck Henry promotes his new book.
Martin Short, Sammy Hagar, Mary Stuart Masterson
Mar 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,
Madonna, Counting Crows
Mar 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 goa
Charles Grodin, Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Apr 1, 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. Late
Bob Uecker, Cheap Trick, Michael McKean
Apr 4, 1994
Dave can't seem to remove his shoe, and with no shoehorn available, he runs outside and asks a cab driver to run over his foot.
Andie MacDowell, Rich Hall, Matt Kramer
Apr 6, 1994
Paul Newman jumps out of the audience, claiming to take a powder when he learns that Madonna won't be on. Instead, he walks across Broadway to see Cats.
Kirstie Alley, Boz Scaggs, Calvin Trillian
Apr 7, 1994
Shortly after a baseball-themed Top Ten, Dave goes on a brief rant about how overpaid the players are.
Tom Brokaw, Blind Melon, Julie Brown
Apr 8, 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 roun
Don Rickles, Jeff Stearns, Liz Phair
Apr 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 app
Jack Lemmon, Lyle Lovett & Al Green
Apr 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 Gree
Dennis Hopper, Jessye Norman, Uta Pippig
Apr 20, 1994
During Mailbag, Dave discusses a certain much-publicized divorce with ""Roseanne Arnold"" (Gerard). Later, he chats with Boston Marathon winner Uta Pippig.
Ellen DeGeneres, Raquel Welch, Candlebox
Apr 21, 1994
Dave names Jimmy Johnson as the new head coach of the show; Ellen DeGeneres promotes ""These Friends of Mine.""
Tom Snyder, Ray Liotta
Apr 22, 1994
Future Dave lead-in Tom Snyder promotes his new (and ultimately doomed) Larry King-style cable talk show.
Father Guido Sarducci, Reba McEntire, Pierre Frene
Apr 25, 1994
Dave notices an empty seat in the third row, so he brings in a guy from outside to fill it.
Joan Lunden, Gin Blossoms, Michael Moore
Apr 26, 1994
Dave finds a stray blue card on his desk and returns it to Regis and Kathie Lee. Also, Gin Blossoms perform ""Hey Jealousy.""
Jerry Seinfeld, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Norm Abram
Apr 27, 1994
Donny Osmond and Calvert star in the Late Show's version of the Menendez Brothers' life story.
Sissy Spacek, Bonnie Raitt, Daniel Low
Apr 28, 1994
Dave tries to wake up and gets soaked with Gatorade; Tony Randall helps Mandy Patinkin practice a musical number; Dave ""grills"" seven-year-old hole expert Daniel Lowe.
Joe Pesci, Randy Travis, Dan Wilkinson
Apr 29, 1994
Dave harasses hotel doormen, and later he chats with NFL draft pick Dan Wilkinson.
Jerry Van Dyke, The Neville Brothers
May 2, 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 j
Robin Williams, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Mark Leyner
May 3, 1994
Dave gets a parking ticket; Robin Williams promotes ""Comic Relief VI.""
Mia Farrow, Tim McGraw, Jimmie Walker
May 4, 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 Bufferi
Brett Butler, Rob Lowe, Sarah McLachlan
May 5, 1994
Dave brings out 70 cases of Gatorade that were received after the stunt in Show #149. Later, he goes up to his office to watch the CBS Evening News.
Sharon Stone, Chris Farley
May 6, 1994
Dave discusses politics with a bunch of cabbies; Chris Farley demonstrates his physically demanding comedy routine; Sharon Stone waltzes with one of the cabbies.
Billy Crystal, Ray Charles
May 9, 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 giv
Michael Keaton, Angela Lansbury
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 cam
James Cahn, David Copperfield, Julia Louis-Dreyfus
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 C
Candice Bergen, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Magic Johnson
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. ""Mado
Bette Midler, Traffic
May 13, 1994
A very special guest presents the Top Ten (see recap); Bette Midler performs ""Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.""
Heather Locklear, Travis Tritt, Harvey Pekar
May 16, 1994
Travis Tritt performs ""Foolish Pride,"" while Harvey Pekar actually censors himself, much to Dave's chagrin.
Jeff Goldblum, Sonic Youth, James Carville
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,
Stupid Pet Tricks, Carol Burnett, Emmylou Harris
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-f
Barbara Walters, Mariah Carey
May 19, 1994
Dave quizzes the audience on last week's trip to LA.
Eddie Murphy, Tony Bennett, Wayne Cotter
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 u
Rick Moranis, Jimmy Buffett, Stefan Seville
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.
Woody Harrelson, Louie Anderson, Isaiah Thomas
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 B
Kevin Pollak, Chris Isaak, Jacques Pepin
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
Rosie O'Donnell, Laurie Morgan, Bronson Pinchot
May 26, 1994
Jets take off at JFK Airport; Rosie O'Donnell promotes The Flintstones.
The Pretenders, Daniel Stern
May 27, 1994
Dave helps Nancy Agostini find an apartment in the city; The Pretenders perform ""Night in My Veins.""
Reggie Miller, Spike Lee, Tony Randall, Tony Toni Tone
Jun 6, 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 ac
Craig T. Nelson, David Sanborn, Al Unser Jr.
Jun 7, 1994
Dave hands out ""Warning Label"" props to the audience; another ""CBS Special Report"" finds Alan Richardson reporting on his socks.
Mariel Hemmingway, George Miller, Mandy Patinkin
Jun 8, 1994
Dave's coffee is cold, so he goes out and warms it himself with a taxi battery; George Miller comments on today's solar eclipse; Dave picks a dead fly off his sport coat.
Macaulay Culkin, Randy Newman, Mona Frey
Jun 9, 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
David Brenner, Johnny Cash, Keanu Reeves
Jun 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 en
Jeremy Irons, Chris Rock, Hakeem Olajuwon
Jun 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 w
Ted Danson, David Byrne, Carl Reiner
Jun 14, 1994
Dave selects two audience members to receive tickets to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Marv Albert hands out the tickets and shows a hockey blooper.
Show #0178
Jun 15, 1994
Three members of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers drop by, and later they let Morty take a picture of the Cup.
Jon Lovitz, Sandra Bullock, Spin Doctors
Jun 16, 1994
Jon Lovitz laments the demise of ""The Critic;"" Sandra Bullock promotes Speed.
Julia Roberts, Stone Temple Pilots, Jake Johannsen
Jun 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 o
Howard Stern, Kate Nelligan, John Mellencamp
Jun 24, 1994
John Mellencamp – ""Wild Night""
Siskel & Ebert, Tom Jones, Sam Cassell, Trisha Yearwood
Jun 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
Penelope Ann Miller, Barbara Streisand, Mary Matalin, Tori Amos
Jun 28, 1994
Barbra Streisand walks on the set and gives Dave two tickets to her show at Radio City Music Hall. Dave gives them away to a woman in the audience.
Daniel Boulud, Helen Hunt, Green Day
Jun 29, 1994
""Coast to Coast with Mujibur and Sirajul"" -- tonight, they're fly-fishing in Madison Valley, Montana, with their teaching guide, Craig.
Siskel & Ebert, Andrea Martin, Indigo Girls
Jun 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 co
Neil Diamond, Richard Simmons
Jul 4, 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 "
Show #0192
Jul 6, 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 C
Tom Hanks, Toad the Wet Sprocket
Jul 7, 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.""
Buzz Aldrin, Susan Sarandon, Midnight Oil
Jul 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
Gary Sinise, Ricki Lake, Julio Iglesias
Jul 19, 1994
Ricki Lake promotes her supporting role in the upcoming Cabin Boy; Gary Sinise plugs Forrest Gump.
Show #0197
Jul 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 Dechi
Show #0198
Jul 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
Show #0200
Jul 25, 1994
Dave fills up a pothole outside the studio with joke cards; Jim Carrey's limo is towed away.
Show #0201
Jul 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 Rock
Show #0202
Jul 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
Show #0203
Jul 28, 1994
Dave comments on Tony's cue card work, then makes a bad phone call for an audience member with mother issues.
Show #0206
Aug 2, 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 be
Show #0207
Aug 3, 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
Show #0208
Aug 4, 1994
After Dave sings a horrible rendition of ""Oklahoma,"" Paul demands to hear a better version. Soon after, John and Bonnie Raitt come on stage to show Dave how it's done.
Show #0210
Aug 8, 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 incom
Show #0212
Aug 10, 1994
Dave looks at ""What's On Other Channels;"" the Smothers Brothers perform.
Show #0216
Aug 16, 1994
Rupert brings soup to tonight's guests; Dave reflects on the Michael Jackson-Lisa Marie Presley wedding.