Late Show with David Letterman: Season 13
Season 13 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Late Show with David Letterman Season 12.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 13 Progress Shield
Show #2446
Oct 19, 2005
The Rock and 13-year-old piano prodigy Kit Armstrong appear on tonights show.
Show #2447
Oct 20, 2005
Houston Astros pitcher (and 2006 NLCS MVP) Roy Oswalt presents the Top Ten; with a little help from Dave, Madonna rides a horse for the first time since a much-publicized incident
Show #2448
Oct 21, 2005
Gavin MacLeod (in full Captain Steubing regalia) makes a few football prognostications; Al Franken promotes his new book; Al Green performs "Everything's Okay."
Steve Martin, the Teutul family from "American Chopper"
Nov 10, 2005
During "Audience Show & Tell," Dave meets a couple of film extras; Michael Sessions (the 18-year-old mayor of Hillside, Michigan) presents the Top Ten; Steve Martin sings with a ch
Joaquin Phoenix, Trisha Yearwood
Nov 15, 2005
Over at Hello Deli, a lady from Des Moines, Iowa correctly guesses that Rupert is singing a Toby Keith song; Joaquin Phoenix promotes Walk The Line; Trisha Yearwood performed "Tryi
George Clooney, Ashlee Simpson
Nov 21, 2005
Dave shocks the audience with the news that Oprah Winfrey will be a guest on the show a week from Thursday; Biff undergoes Lasek eye surgery; George Clooney promotes "Syriana."
Stupid Pet Tricks, Claire Danes, Big Boi
Nov 23, 2005
President Bush drops by the theater but somehow gets himself locked out; in honor of Oprah's appearance next week, Dave gives everyone in the audience free vodka and Lipitor; throu
John Malkovich, NASCAR Nextel Cup winner, Jim Gaffigan
Nov 25, 2005
Johnny Dark tries to sell Dave a 18-pound lobster; John Malkovich shares an amusing anecdote about his mother; race-car driver Tony Stewart plays "Joe Gibbs or Monkey?"
Stupid Human Tricks, Amanda Peet
Nov 28, 2005
Dave orders some decaf coffee from Starbucks; Dave reveals the giant Oprah photo in the backdrop again, then puts a much smaller photo of Regis right next to it; Amanda Peet promot
Stephen Colbert, Aqualung
Dec 14, 2005
Dave participates in a Holiday toy demonstration; Biff tells "It's so cold..." jokes; Aqualung performs "Brighter Than Sunshine."
Bonnie Hunt, Stephen A. Smith
Dec 20, 2005
Tonights guests include Bonnie Hunt and Stephen A. Smith.
Heather Graham, Fall Out Boy
Jan 2, 2006
Dave explains how he ordered Sue Hum to make a cupcake costume just for heck of it; Biff reads a movie review from the newspaper; Heather Graham promotes her new sitcom; Fall Out B
Bill O'Reilly, Eric Bana
Jan 3, 2006
Tonights guests include Bill O'Reilly and Eric Bana.
Amy Sedaris, Dennis Regan, the Temptations
Jan 6, 2006
Johnny Dark "celebrates" 39 years as a CBS page; Alan makes predictions for 2006; The Temptations perform "My Girl."
Albert Brooks, Kristin Cavallari
Jan 9, 2006
The apparent theme of the night is "Love Train"; Albert Brooks sings "Thanks to the Memories" believing that Dave is retiring; "Laguna Beach" star Kristen Cavallari promotes her ne
Scarlett Johannsen, Tiki Barber, Imogen Heap
Jan 10, 2006
Dave demands that the O'Jays perform "Love Train" on the show; Alan criticizes "Dancing with the Stars," then starts prancing around in a gold shirt; Scarlett Johansson (in her fir
Martin Lawrence, Kari Byron, Matisyahu
Jan 16, 2006
Dave laments the Colts' playoff loss and teases with retirement again; Alan's alter ego "Fat Momma Kalter" storms out of the theater; Matisyahu performs "King Without a Crown."
Tatum O'Neal, Jeff MacGregor
Jan 17, 2006
Dave wears the skin of a roasted chicken on his head; Rupert and the models are subject to a pizza taste test; "Is This Anything?" is revived to Dave's delight; "Leyan Lo" (the new
Kate Beckinsale, Bob Saget
Jan 18, 2006
Tonights guests include Kate Beckinsale and Bob Saget.
Charles Grodin, Jordana Brewster
Jan 20, 2006
A cop from New Jersey pleads the fifth on "Know Your Current Events"; Johnny Dark comments on Dave's heart; Charles Grodin defends his performance in the 1976 remake of King Kong.
Bernie Mac, Beth Orton
Jan 24, 2006
Dave celebrates 2,500 shows at CBS with "Staffer Memories"; a recent graduate from Penn State is invited to ride a taxi pantsless; Dave and Emma Thompson instigate a pie fight.
Mischa Barton, Jeff Altman, Wicked Wisdom
Jan 25, 2006
Esteban sits in with the band; Jeff Altman shares an amusing story about Johnny Carson; Wicked Wisdom (a band with Jada Pinkett-Smith on lead vocals) performs "Something Inside of
P Diddy, Train
Feb 3, 2006
Paul does his "Carnac" homage again during "Stump The Band"; Olympic snowboarder Seth Wescott presents the Top Ten; Pat Farmer drops stale chips and dip onto 53rd Street; Train per
Harrison Ford, Michael Bublé
Feb 6, 2006
Comedian Andy Kindler reports from Super Bowl XL; Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger gets his beard shaved off by Dave and an audience member; Harrison Ford announces that he'
Rachel Weisz, Beastie Boys
Feb 8, 2006
Biff pretends to report from the Grammys; "Stupid Human Tricks" includes a woman who whistles the theme from The Andy Griffith Show with her toes; The Beastie Boys perform "So What
Senator John McCain, Heidi Klum
Feb 9, 2006
Tonights guests include Senator John McCain and Heidi Klum.
Amanda Peet, Jack Hanna
Feb 23, 2006
Amanda Peet and Jack Hanna are featured guests plus Peter Griffin of Family Guy presents the Top Ten!
Bruce Willis, The Strokes
Feb 27, 2006
Tonights guests include Bruce Willis and The Strokes.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Mar 1, 2006
Declaring that there are "more monkeys than ever," Dave meets the 2006 monkey-calling champions; Chef Giada De Laurentiis makes veal scallops for Dave and Sarah Jessica Parker (but
Ricky Gervais, The Subways
Mar 3, 2006
Johnny Dark gives a tour of the theater; "Will It Float?" travels to Trump Tower; Ricky Gervais promotes his new children's book; The Subways perform "Rock and Roll Queen."
Antonio Banderas, Patrice Oneal, Flaming Lips
Mar 30, 2006
Dave promises a box of Explod-O-Pop popcorn to every member of the audience; Liza Minnelli performs "I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore" to celebrate her 60th birthday; Al Lubel riffs
Craig Furguson, Alexis Bledel, Tom Russell
Apr 19, 2006
Dave sits down with fellow talk-show host Craig Furguson. He also talks with Gilmore Girls star Alexis Bledel, and Tom Russell.
Piedmont Bird Callers, Michael Douglas, Emmylou Harris, Mark Knopfler
Apr 27, 2006
Tonights guests include Keri Russell, Brian and Tina Miser and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Kid Scientists, William Shatner, Angels & Airwaves
May 15, 2006
Dave orders a reluctant Rupert to eat at Ranch 1; "True Tales of the Late Show Interns" expose the dark underbelly of the show's goings-on backstage; Debra Messing discusses childr
Debra Messing, Chris Russo
May 16, 2006
Dave previews some of the new TV shows premiring in the fall; Bruce Willis tries to hold his breath underwater for nine minutes; Goldfrapp performed "Lost Cause."
Bruce Willis, Goldfrapp
May 17, 2006
Tonights guests include Rebecca Romijn from "X-Men 3: The Last Stand" and The Eagles of Death Metal.
Stupid Pet Tricks, Rebecca Romijn, Eagles of Death Metal
May 18, 2006
Tonight's guests include Jennifer Garner from "Alias" and Mary Cheney (author of "Now It's My Turn").
Jennifer Garner, Harry Hill
May 19, 2006
Several staffers give advice to college graduates; Martha Stewart finally opens up to Dave about prison life, Criss Angel falls into a woodchipper and survives; the Dixie Chicks pe
Martha Stewart, Dixie Chicks, Criss Angel
May 22, 2006
Dave sends Rupert into the nearby Jamba Juice; Martin Short sings the virtues of the NSA; Biff comments on the Barry Bonds controversy; James Blunt performed "High."
Martin Short, James Blunt
May 23, 2006
Dave reveals the hot new toys for Christmas (seven months early); Jennifer Aniston dodges questions about her relationship with Vince Vaughn; Rob Zombie performs "America Witch."
Jennifer Aniston, Rob Zombie
May 24, 2006
Several naval officers participate in "Stump the Band"; tonight's "Immigrant Success Stories" segment fails to give a through profile to Dr. Henry Kissinger; Dave and Jesse James
Sandra Bullock, Widespread Panic
Jun 15, 2006
Iraqi terrorist Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir is spotted in the audience; Robert Duvall discusses some of the movies he has appeared in and his wife�s family in Argentina; Sonic Youth perfo
Meryl Streep, Yellowcard
Jun 22, 2006
For the first time in several years, Dave asks Steph/Monty to imitate her ex-boyfriend's dancing abilities; Al Gore discusses global warming and the current state of American polit
Al Gore, Rock Kills Kid
Jun 23, 2006
Sue Hum walks towards a camera onstage for the sole purpose of applying lipstick; Kevin Spacey shares an amusing anecdote about Courtney Love and Peter O'Toole; The Streets perform
Anne Hathaway, Jim Gaffigan, Dashboard Confessional
Jun 27, 2006
The Family Feud board is resurrected; Dave observes film footage of a monkey undergoing a root canal; Fred Willard tells a dirty joke; Martha Wainwright performed Leonard Cohen's "
Johnny Depp, Broken Social Scene
Jun 29, 2006
Dave shows a photo of The Doors in response to a pre-show audience question; Tom Brokaw plugs his new book; Paul Simon performs "Outrageous."
Anderson Cooper, Greg Fitzsimmons
Jul 14, 2006
Tonight's guests include Kate Hudson and Patrice O'Neal.
Kate Hudson, Patrice O'Neal
Jul 17, 2006
A man on the street showers himself under the Late Show Shower-Cam; in honor of her 85th birthday, Dorothy presents the Top Ten; Bryce Dallas Howard promotes "Lady in the Water."
Regis Philbin, Bryce Dallas Howard
Jul 18, 2006
Tonights guests include Uma Thurman and Morgan Spurlock.
Uma Thurman, Morgan Spurlock, egg catchers Brad Freeman and Patrick Breault
Jul 19, 2006
Tonight's guests include Martin Short and Pink.
Martin Short, Pink
Jul 20, 2006
Sue Hum asks Dave if he could make change for a twenty; the show is interrupted by a phony CBS Special Report; Donald Trump is escorted onstage by four Miss Universe contestants; t
Donald Trump, Nick Griffin, Sam Roberts
Jul 21, 2006
Dave and Gerard discuss Christie Brinkley's divorce before the show; 2006 Tour de France winner "Floyd Landis" takes a victory lap around the theater; Shannon Eis and Dave goof aro
Greg Kinnear, reptile expert Dr. Darrel Frost, Tapes 'n Tapes
Jul 25, 2006
A short comedy bit involving Dave, Sue Hum, and a bowl of gazpacho is botched; Dave examines Scarlett Johansson's teeth; the Teutel Boys from "American Chopper" show off their newe
Scarlett Johansson, Paul Teutul Jr. and Sr.
Jul 26, 2006
During "Stump the Band," an audience member completely forgets the title of his disputed tune; controversial cyclist "Floyd Landis" is beaten up by the NYPD; The Spinners perform "
Johnny Depp, the Spinners
Jul 27, 2006
Dave reads out loud the lost letters of Albert Einstein; "Biff Henderson's 'Where Are They Now?'" looks at the late Buddy Ebsen; Tom Dreesen promotes his new one-man show and takes
Hilary Duff, Jason Randal, Dirty Pretty Things
Aug 15, 2006
Tonights guests include Jessica Biel and Christina Aguilera.
Jessica Biel, Christina Aguilera
Aug 16, 2006
Throughout the night, a guy named Bob Zick stands over by the staircase and laughs at everything Dave says; Samuel L. Jackson stars in the much-hyped sequel "Snakes in a Deli"; eld
Edward Norton, Greg Fitzsimmons
Aug 18, 2006
Dave and Steph/Monty play stickball out on 53rd Street; Julianna Margulies discusses overcoming her fear of snakes during a filming of a certain Samuel L. Jackson movie; stand-up c
Julianna Margulies, Andy Sansone, Outkast
Aug 21, 2006
"Raul Castro" fields questions for the audience; Chris Elliott auditions for the CBS soap "Guiding Light," Razorlight performed "America."
Chris Elliott, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Razorlight
Aug 22, 2006
An audience member compares Dave to Alfred E. Neuman; Dave and Paul play "Let's Scare the Hell Out of Rupert"; Busta Rhymes performs "Touch It, I Love My B----, New York S---."