Late Show with David Letterman: Season 15
Season 15 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 14.
- 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 15 Progress Shield
Former President Bill Clinton, Patti Scialfa
Sep 4, 2007
Former President Bill Clinton plugs his new book and explains why he can't be his wife's running mate; Patti Scialfa performed "A Town Called Heartbreak."
Danny DeVito, Larry David, Avril Lavigne
Sep 5, 2007
Dave apologizes to Sue Hum for a pre-show accident; the show is interrupted by a performance of "Mark Twain Tonight!" starring Johnny Dark; Danny Devito plugs his new restaurant; L
Jessica Alba, George Saunders, The Manchester Orchestra
Sep 6, 2007
In the midst of a citywide taxi strike, a cab is seen carrying people on the its roof and front hood; Biff makes a feeble attempt at seeing Jessica Alba in person; George Saunders
Rachael Ray, Frank Rich, Arctic Monkeys
Sep 7, 2007
Throughout the show, saxophonist Aaron Bing attempts to break the world record for the longest sustained note (and ultimately fails). Also, Arctic Monkeys perform "Fluorescent Ado
Jodie Foster, Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová
Sep 10, 2007
Jodie Foster, Glen Hansard, and Marketa Irglova are the scheduled guests.
Dr. Phil McGraw, Andy Kindler, Suzanne Vega
Sep 11, 2007
Prior to the show, Jude Brennan confronts Dr. Phil about Dave's "psychotic tendencies"; Deborah Lynn loses yet again on "Psychic Sandwich"; during his interview with Dave, Dr. Phil
Viggo Mortensen, Kat Von D, Daughtry, a Top Ten List presented by 10 NASCAR stars
Sep 12, 2007
Viggo Mortensen, Kat Von D, and Daughtry are the scheduled guests. Plus, a special NASCAR Top Ten!
Martha Stewart, Fred Willard, a Top Ten List presented by Billy Bob Thornton
Sep 13, 2007
Martha Stewart and Fred Willard are the scheduled guests. Plus, a special Top Ten from Billy Bob Thornton!
Regis Philbin, Chamillionaire
Sep 14, 2007
Dave does an impression of Tony's reaction to an inaccurate monologue joke; Regis critiques' Dave's recent appearance on Oprah and plugs the 20th anniversary of his talk show; Cham
Jamie Foxx, Jimmy Smits, Will.I.Am
Sep 24, 2007
Jamie Foxx, Jimmy Smits, and Will.I.Am are the scheduled guests.
Kate Walsh, Kevin Smith, Rascal Flatts
Sep 25, 2007
Kate Walsh, Kevin Smith, and Rascal Flatts are the scheduled guests.
Jennifer Garner, Ken Burns, Chaka Khan
Sep 26, 2007
Chris Elliott and Gerard Mulligan drop by to promote their new project, "Bionic Guy"; 7-11 head honcho Jim Keyes comes up with another wacky promotion; Chaka Khan sings "Love Me St
Stupid Human Tricks, Whoopi Goldberg, Melissa Etheridge
Sep 27, 2007
Whoopi Goldberg and Melissa Etheridge are the scheduled guests. Plus, Stupid Human Tricks!
Paris Hilton, Emile Hirsch
Sep 28, 2007
Henry Rife leaps over six taxicabs on an ATV; Paris Hilton dodges a string of questions regarding her stint in prison; Emile Hirsch plugs Into The Wild.
Sean Penn, Barry Sonnenfeld, Ben Harper
Oct 1, 2007
Sean Penn, Barry Sonnenfeld, and Ben Harper are the scheduled guests.
Jude Law, Sarah Silverman, John Fogerty
Oct 2, 2007
The show is interrupted by a businessman on a cell phone in the backdrop; Johnny Dark makes another appearance as Mark Twain; Alan gets beat up by an annoyed Mets fan; John Fogerty
Alec Baldwin, Faith Hill
Oct 3, 2007
Throughout the night, Late Show interns attempt to parallel-park on 53rd Street; Dave reads "Top Ten Signs Your Team Isn't Going To Win the World Series" out of order; Alec Baldwin
Nicolette Sheridan, Tony Snow, Rihanna
Oct 4, 2007
Nicolette Sheridan, Tony Snow, and Rihanna are the scheduled guests.
Bob Newhart, Angela Kinsey, Iron and Wine
Oct 5, 2007
Several audience members voluntarily present the Top Ten; Bob Newhart shares an amusing story about Frank Sinatra; Angela Kinsey talks about life in Texas; Iron & Wine performed "T
George Clooney, Kid Rock
Oct 8, 2007
George Clooney and Kid Rock are the scheduled guests.
Jennifer Lopez, Alan Greenspan
Oct 9, 2007
Several elderly Alan Greenspan "groupies" stand outside the theater as the former Chairman of the Federal Reserve plugs his new book. Also, Jennifer Lopez discusses pregnancy rumor
Stephen Colbert, Eva Mendes, Queens of the Stone Age
Oct 10, 2007
A canned ham is almost given to an audience member; the "f*** you" guy brags about a winning lottery ticket; Stephen Colbert discusses "roughing it" and plugs his new book; Queens
Anne Heche, Sue Johanson, Mariza
Oct 11, 2007
Anne Heche, Sue Johanson, and Mariza are the scheduled guests.
Halle Berry, Bill Hader, Spring Snake Symphony
Oct 12, 2007
A pregnant Halle Berry plugs Things We Lost In The Fire and shows a 3-D ultrasound image that resembles Dave. Also, Eric Buss and his "Spring Snake Symphony" (375 snakes-in-a-can)
Jake Gyllenhaal, Connie Britton, 50 Cent
Oct 15, 2007
Marc Odgers returns to the Late Show to leap over five interns; a security guard (Mike McIntee) tasers a runaway audience member; Connie Britton plugs "Friday Night Lights"; 50 Cen
Richard Simmons, Casey Affleck, Sondre Lerche
Oct 16, 2007
Richard Simmons and Casey Affleck are the scheduled guests.
Rebecca Romijn, Jimmie Walker, LeAnn Rimes
Oct 17, 2007
Dave (amongst others) discusses a fire in the theater basement that occured earlier that day; staff writer Bill Scheft comments on the possible writers' strike; Jimmie "JJ" Walker
Steve Carell, Chris Russo, Chris Elliott, Band of Horses
Oct 18, 2007
Tonights guests include Steve Carell, Chris Russo and Band of Horses perform “Is There A Ghost.”
Amanda Peet, Patrick Warburton, Jeff Caldwell
Oct 19, 2007
Mac n' cheese is the latest food item that Sue Hum offers Dave (and promptly rejects); the lovely Amanda Peet plugs Martian Child, but a clip of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians a
Jerry Seinfeld, Joe Torre
Oct 29, 2007
Two marathon runners interrupt the monologue (one week early, it shall be noted); to honor the possible WGA strike, Bill Scheft chooses not to reveal the punchline to a Dick Cheney
Jennifer Connelly, Slash, Nicole Atkins
Oct 30, 2007
An excerpt is revealed from President Gerald Ford's posthumous memoirs; Alan Kalter hosts "This Is Your Lunch," looking back at Dave's last meal (lasagna); guitarist Slash plugs hi
David Spade, Penn & Teller, Jonathan Papelbon
Oct 31, 2007
The 26th annual "New Halloween Costumes" segment includes a Hillary Clinton pantsuit, an overstuffed glove compartment, and Spongebob's less-than-beloved cousin "BrillopadTed Squar
Dr. Phil McGraw, Ryan Adams
Nov 1, 2007
With a writers' strike now looking very likely, "Mrs. Letterman" (Jude Brennan) nags Dave into doing some housework; Stupid Pet Tricks include a pit bull terrier that plays the dru
Bill Murray, Jay-Z
Nov 2, 2007
Etch-a-sketch artist George Vlosich becomes the latest person to do a portrait of Biff Henderson; Bill Murray discusses his ongoing legal troubles in Sweden and plays On-Star opera
Robin Williams, Lupe Fiasco
Jan 2, 2008
Dave returns from an eight-week hiatus with a full beard and his writing staff intact; an audience Q&A bit is interrupted by Bill Scheft; ten striking writers present the Top Ten;
Bill Maher, Ellen Page, the cast of Broadway's "Young Frankenstein"
Jan 3, 2008
Dave's beard gets a key to the city, courtesy of Mayor Bloomberg; a wayward WGA picketer wanders around in the backdrop; Hal Gurnee's latest Network Time Killer is a "balloon drumm
Donald Trump, Shooter Jennings
Jan 4, 2008
Dave admits that he's getting tired of the beard, then confesses to feeling sick over his new "feud" with Rosie O'Donnell; Dave and Donald Trump talk football; talent coordinator S
Tom Hanks, Gov. Mike Huckabee
Jan 7, 2008
Tom Hanks and Mike Huckabee are the scheduled guests.
Lucy Liu, Alex Roy, MGMT
Jan 8, 2008
Lucy Liu and MGMT are the scheduled guests. Plus, Bill Medley (of Righteous Brothers fame) sits in with the band!
Morgan Freeman, Tom Brokaw, Chuck Prophet
Jan 9, 2008
Morgan Freeman and Chuck Prophet are the scheduled guests.
Tracy Morgan, Kat Von D, Dropkick Murphys
Jan 11, 2008
Tracy Morgan, Kat Von D, and Dropkick Murphys are the scheduled guests.
Katie Holmes, Frank Caliendo, Maroon 5
Jan 14, 2008
Katie Holmes, Frank Caliendo, and Maroon 5 are the scheduled guests.
Denzel Washington, Don Rickles
Jan 15, 2008
An audience member claims to know Dave's ex-wife, who apparently now lives in Florida; the show is again interrupted by radio transmissions from Lt. Len Easton of the California Hi
Michael Douglas, Katherine Heigl, Wyclef Jean
Jan 16, 2008
Throughout the night, Tony and Dave play the Spanish-language version of "Wheel of Fortune"; Michael Douglas talks skiing and plugs King of California; an old AC/DC song is butcher
Sylvester Stallone, the Teutul family, the Mars Volta
Jan 17, 2008
Sylvester Stallone, the Teutul Family, and The Mars Volta are the scheduled guests.
Diane Keaton, Jim Gaffigan
Jan 18, 2008
Dave begs Gaines to stop feeding in phone calls from the California Highway Patrol, which interrupts the show three times. Also, in her first Letterman appearance in two decades, D
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Dan Patrick, Ringo Starr
Jan 21, 2008
The Bruce Willis Secret Word of the Night is "Muffin"; during an audience Q&A segment, one man flips out over Chris Dodd's decision to drop out of the presidential race; Sarah Mich
Sen. John Edwards, Diablo Cody, Josh Ritter, David "Fathead" Newman
Jan 22, 2008
Senator John Edwards, Diablo Cody, and Josh Ritter are the scheduled guests.
Charles Grodin, New York Giant Lawrence Tynes, The Redwalls
Jan 23, 2008
Charles Grodin, Lawrence Tynes, and The Redwalls are the scheduled guests.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, T.J. Miller, Super Furry Animals
Jan 24, 2008
Lt. Len Easton is caught annoying Dave and interrupting "Larry King Live"; Dave is repeatedly distracted by a photo of Mitt Romney; Andy Kindler visits a life coach; Sen. Barack Ob
Nathan Lane, Jake Johannsen
Jan 25, 2008
Nathan Lane and Jake Johannsen are the scheduled guests.
Jessica Alba, Julie Chen, The Whigs
Jan 28, 2008
Jessica Alba, Julie Chen, and The Whigs are the scheduled guests.
Bill Cosby, Lake Bell, The Matt Savage Trio
Jan 29, 2008
Lt. Len Easton calls up C-SPAN's "Washington Journal"; Bill Cosby shares an antedote about his recently deceased mother; teen jazz prodigy Matt Savage and his trio perform "El Fueg
Dr. Phil McGraw, Lena Headey, Gary Allan
Jan 30, 2008
An audience member gives Dave a gold hat, which Paul wears; Lt. Len Easton pops up on "Sex Talk with Sue Johanson"; a clothing-optional airline is the subject of several gags, incl
Stupid Human Tricks, Eva Longoria Parker, Colbie Caillat
Jan 31, 2008
Eva Longoria and Colbie Caillat are the scheduled guests. Plus, Stupid Human Tricks!
Paris Hilton, Artie Lange, Vampire Weekend
Feb 1, 2008
Paris Hilton, Artie Lange, and Vampire Weekend are the scheduled guests.
Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sheryl Crow
Feb 4, 2008
Dave discusses at length the New York Giants' upset Super Bowl victory; Senator Hillary Clinton jokes that her choice of running mate has come down to Dave or Regis; Sheryl Crow pe
Matthew McConaughey, Gary Mule Deer, Sheryl Crow
Feb 5, 2008
Matthew McConaughey, Gary Mule Deer, and Sheryl Crow are the scheduled guests.
Eli Manning, Vince Vaughn, A Fine Frenzy
Feb 6, 2008
Eli Manning and A Fine Frenzy are the scheduled guests.
Kate Hudson, Jack Hanna
Feb 7, 2008
Lt. Len Easton interrupts "Know Your Current Events"; Kate Hudson plugs Fool's Gold and talks football; Jack Hanna introduces Dave to an African Warthog (which Dave likes) and a co
Colin Farrell, Blake Lively, Lenny Kravitz
Feb 8, 2008
"Late Show Fun Facts" is interrupted by a ticket scalper (Mike McIntee); Colin Farrell plugs In Bruges and gives Dave a fedora; Lenny Kravitz performed "Bring It On."
Kate Walsh, Jason Sudeikis, OK Go and Bonerama
Feb 11, 2008
While fielding a question about Oprah tickets, Dave accidentally breaks one of his pencils in half; a certain panicky audience member is confronted by Dr. Phil in the theater hallw
Evangeline Lilly, Marisa Miller, Brad Paisley
Feb 12, 2008
Evangeline Lilly and Brad Paisley are the scheduled guests.
Martin Short, Amy Ryan
Feb 13, 2008
Dave obsesses over his orange tie; live via satellite, a man with a black eye won't talk to Dave; Chris Elliott and Gerard Mulligan drop by to plug their (fake) new show, "American
Regis Philbin, Joseph Arthur
Feb 14, 2008
Regis Philbin and Joseph Arthur are the scheduled guests.
Charles Barkley, Bill Burr
Feb 15, 2008
Charles Barkley talks hoops and dodges questions about running for governor of Alabama; a CBS executive stops the show to grill Dave; comedian Bill Burr riffs on the elderly.
Dennis Quaid, Ryan Newman, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
Feb 18, 2008
Dennis Quaid and Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings are the scheduled guests.
Randy Jackson, Saffron Burrows, Ray Davies
Feb 19, 2008
Bill Scheft apologizes for a bad Dick Cheney joke, citing tainted roast beef; after Dave mentions the resignation of Fidel Castro, a certain angry audience member pummels four CBS
Amy Sedaris, Erika Jensen, Foo Fighters
Feb 20, 2008
Paul stars in a spoof of VH1's hit reality show "Rock of Love"; Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse read the Top Ten; grocery-bagging champ Erika Jensen takes Dave to school; Foo Fig
Steve Martin, hand shadows performance with Raymond Crowe
Feb 21, 2008
Steve Martin is the scheduled guest. Plus, a hand shadow demonstration!
Diddy, Al Lubel
Feb 22, 2008
Lt. Len Easton resurfaces; "Harry Letterman" is spotted having a smoke backstage, and later flirts with Paul's teenage daughter; Diddy promotes the upcoming made-for-TV production
Will Ferrell, Michael McDonald
Feb 25, 2008
Live via satellite, Osama bin Laden accepts an Academy Award; Will Ferrell plugs Semi-Pro and pays homage to "The Sound of Music"; Michael McDonald performed "(Your Love Keeps Lift
Courteney Cox, Thomas Friedman, Chingy with Ludacris
Feb 26, 2008
Courtney Cox, Thomas Friedman, Chingy, and Ludacris are the scheduled guests.
Kid Scientists, Natalie Portman, Kenna
Feb 27, 2008
"AMPTP President Nick Counter" and "Writers Guild Executive Director David Young" call a truce... and make out; in tonight's remote, Andy Kindler visits a toy convention; the lates
Amy Adams, Jamie Oliver, Liam Finn
Feb 28, 2008
Amy Adams, Jamie Oliver, and Liam Finn are the scheduled guests.
Woody Harrelson, Tommy Tiernan
Feb 29, 2008
Woody Harrelson discusses "tea-bagging" while kite surfing and plugs Semi-Pro; a cat scratching post is the latest object on "Will It Float?"; British comedian Tommy Tiernan riffs
Jim Carrey, Paula Abdul
Mar 10, 2008
Jim Carrey and Paula Abdul are the scheduled guests.
Martha Stewart, Snoop Dogg
Mar 11, 2008
Dave comments on the Gov. Eliot Spitzer scandal; the backdrop scalper (Mike McIntee) tries to sell Dave some Snoop Dogg tickets, even though he's on the show; Martha Stewart descri
Charlize Theron, Lewis Black, British Sea Power
Mar 12, 2008
Charlize Theron, Lewis Black, and British Sea Power are the scheduled guests.
Kate Beckinsale, Graham Colton
Mar 13, 2008
Dave tears up a new five-dollar bill and ketchup spills out; the 2008 Wild Turkey Bourbon Grand National Gobbling champs strut their stuff; "Johnny Twain" drops by to tell Jeff Fox
Jaime Pressly, Brian Regan
Mar 14, 2008
Jaime Pressly and Brian Regan are the scheduled guests.
Rainn Wilson, Mike Golic & Mike Greenberg, Bell X1
Mar 17, 2008
Rainn Wilson, Mike Golic, Mike Greenberg, and Bell X1 are the scheduled guests.
Al Franken, Lauren Conrad, The Cribs
Mar 18, 2008
Dave gives an update on his tick infection; a man from Texas plays "What's In The Soup?" at Hello Deli; Al Franken (D-MN) stumps for his US Senator campaign; Lauren Conrad explains
Brooke Shields, Seth Meyers, Gutter Twins
Mar 19, 2008
Cameraman Dave Dorsett is caught drinking on the job; the cast of "Battlestar Galactica" reads the Top Ten; Dave and Brooke Shields discuss foot surgery; Alan recalls an unpleasant
Demi Moore, Anthony Bourdain, Counting Crows
Mar 24, 2008
An audience woman shares her own tick bite experience with Dave; Alan narrates a history of the Ed Sullivan Theater, then cuts himself off to use the washroom; Demi Moore discusses
Kate Bosworth, John Witherspoon, The Raveonettes
Mar 25, 2008
Kate Bosworth, John Witherspoon, and The Raveonettes are the scheduled guests.
Brian Williams, Judy Greer, Langhorne Slim
Mar 26, 2008
Brian Williams, Judy Greer, and Langhorne Slim are the scheduled guests.
Kelsey Grammer, Kristen Bell, Rogue Wave
Apr 15, 2008
After Kelsey Grammer shares a disgusting antedote about his pet, Dave theorizes that every great story ends with "...and then the dog ate it." His hypothesis is confirmed when "Her
Kelly Ripa, Dr. John P. Holdren, The Black Keys
Apr 17, 2008
Kelly Ripa, The Black Keys
Billy Crystal, Maria Sharapova
Apr 21, 2008
Dave discusses Harry's T-ball debut; the backdrop scalper tries to sell Papel Mass tickets a week late; Chris Elliott and Gerard Mulligan spend a day at New York Rangers' practice;
Tina Fey, Brett Favre, Estelle
Apr 24, 2008
Dave recalls being stuck in an elevator, with time-lapse footage of his ordeal; Tina Fey plugs Baby Mama; Brett Favre makes it clear that he has no intention of returning to the NF
Julianne Moore, Morgan Spurlock, a performance from the Broadway musical "South Pacific"
Jun 3, 2008
Ben Kingsley, Artie Lange, Emmylou Harris
Jun 12, 2008
Ben Kingsley and Emmylou Harris are the scheduled guests.
Steve Carell, Lance Armstrong, Dr. John
Jun 17, 2008
Dave attempts to channel the spirit of President Harry Truman, but ends up getting his voice mail; with Rupert's assistance, a tourist from British Columbia takes a vacation photo
Will Smith, Joe Buck
Jun 23, 2008
Dave discusses watching his son play T-ball; Dave embarasses George Clarke by addressing him as Thomas Beatie (that pregnant transgendered guy); Will Smith plugs Hancock and appear
Charlize Theron, Richard Belzer, Mötley Crüe
Jun 24, 2008
After a gag about "Martian Ice" bombs, Dave gives the red-colored ice to an audience member; over at Hello Deli, Deborah Lynn plays "Psychic Gasoline" (and loses yet again); Charli
Ricky Gervais, John Mellencamp
Jul 17, 2008
Following "Top Ten Signs It's Time To Wash Your Monkey," Lyle the Intern unsuccessfully tries to persuade Dave into opening a Pizza Hut franchise. Also, John Mellencamp performed "
Will Ferrell, Adam Savage & Jamie Hyneman
Jul 21, 2008
Will Ferrell, Adam Savage, and Jamie Hyneman are the scheduled guests.
Amanda Peet, Jon Hamm, Augustana
Jul 22, 2008
Dave welcomes back Bill Scheft, who was sidelined with hip surgery; Small Town News is interrupted by a guy in a Batman mask; Amanda Peet plugs the "X-Files" sequel; "Mad Men" star
John C. Reilly, Jane Mayer, Grizzly Bear
Jul 23, 2008
John C. Reilly, Jane Mayer, and Grizzly Bear are the scheduled guests.
David Duchovny, Black Kids
Jul 24, 2008
Featuring David Duchovny (The X-Files: I Want To Believe) and Black Kids (Partie Traumatic)
Gillian Anderson, Simon Pegg, We Are Scientists
Jul 28, 2008
Dave describes an incident during the monologue where Inky's cue-cards went AWOL; Dave and Paul acknowledge the passing of ex-WMDB guitarist Hiram Bullock; Gillian Anderson discuss
Pamela Anderson, James Franco, Atmosphere
Jul 30, 2008
Pamela Anderson, James Franco,Atmosphere
Richard Simmons, Mary-Louise Parker
Aug 1, 2008
Paul Thoresen appears again to drop a 55-gallon water balloon on a '94 Chevy LeBaron convertible; Dave and Richard Simmons have another animated interview, in which the fitness gur
Penelope Cruz, Danny Way, Randy Newman
Jun 6, 2008
Penelope Cruz, Randy Newman, Danny Way
Donald Trump, Dwayne Kennedy
Aug 8, 2008
Donald Trump discusses real estate in Abu Dhabi; "WIll It Float?" is played on the roof; Dwayne Kennedy riffs on the possibility of a black president
Bryan Clay, Don Cheadle, Little Anthony & The Imperials
Aug 26, 2008
Tonight on "Get to Know Delaware," a fun fact about neighboring Pennsylvania; Dave's "son" throws a beer bottle at a green room TV; live from Denver, Biff fails to interview DNC Ch
Kerri Walsh & Misty May-Treanor, Neil Patrick Harris, Nas
Aug 27, 2008
Olympic Gold Medalists Kerri Walsh & Misty May-Treanor, Neil Patrick Harris and Nas are the scheduled guests.
Amy Sedaris, Kim Kardashian, Brian Regan
Aug 29, 2008
Water-balloon fiend Paul Thoresen drops a 55-gallon bomb on a convertable with three "tourists" (mannequins); the Democratic National Convention is over but Biff's still there; Amy