Late Show with David Letterman: Season 16
Season 16 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 15.
- 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 16 Progress Shield
Nicolas Cage, Anna Torv, Terrence Howard
Sep 2, 2008
Nicolas Cage, Anna Torv, and Terrence Howard are the scheduled guests.
Dr. Phil McGraw, Tilda Swinton, Tricky
Sep 3, 2008
Dr. Phil McGraw, Tilda Swinton, and Tricky are the scheduled guests.
Robin Williams, Shannen Doherty, Duffy
Sep 4, 2008
Following the previous night's acceptance speech, Dave admits to underestimating Gov. Sarah Palin; Andy Kindler makes his last report from the GOP convention in Minneapolis; Robin
John Malkovich, Hayden Panettiere, Steve Earle
Sep 5, 2008
John Malkovich, Hayden Panettiere, and Steve Earle are the scheduled guests.
Keira Knightley, Thomas L. Friedman
Sep 8, 2008
Keira Knightley and Thomas L. Friedman are the scheduled guests.
Jada Pinkett Smith, Chris Russo, Michael Buble
Sep 9, 2008
Jada Pinkett-Smith, Chris Russo, and Michael Buble are the scheduled guests. Plus, the second annual NASCAR Top Twelve!
Sen. Barack Obama, LeBron James
Sep 10, 2008
Sen. Barack Obama and LeBron James are the scheduled guests.
Jessica Simpson, Jack Hanna
Sep 11, 2008
Jessica Simpson and Jack Hanna are the scheduled guests.
Meg Ryan, Ricky Gervais
Sep 12, 2008
Throughout the night, Olympic high-jumpers strut their stuff out on 53rd Street; Dave reads from the "Late Show Fun Facts" book, in stores next week; in her first LSDL appearance i
Bill Clinton, Chris Rock
Sep 22, 2008
Former President William Jefferson Clinton and Chris Rock are the scheduled guests.
Julianne Moore, Tom Dreesen & Tim Reid, Kings of Leon
Sep 23, 2008
Lyle the Intern fails to convince Dave to join his latest scam; Julianne Moore discusses her trip to Brazil and plugs Blindness; Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen do stand-up; Kings of Leon
Keith Olbermann, Chandra Wilson, Delta Goodrem
Sep 24, 2008
Keith Olbermann, Chandra Wilson, Delta Goodrem
Paris Hilton, Usain Bolt, Morningwood
Sep 25, 2008
Paris Hilton, Usain Bolt, Morningwood
Lance Armstrong, Kristen Wiig, TV on the Radio
Sep 26, 2008
Lance Armstrong, Kristen Wiig, TV on the Radio
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Cera, Pete Seeger
Sep 29, 2008
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Cera, Pete Seeger
Anne Hathaway, Josette Sheeran, The Virgins
Sep 30, 2008
Anne Hathaway, Josette Sheeran, The Virgins
Brian Williams, Tim Robbins
Oct 3, 2008
Dave comments on the previous night's vice-presidential debate, which is followed by a string of Unfair Edits; NBC anchorman Brian Williams also throws in his two cents; Tim Robbin
Debra Messing, John Carter, Tegan & Sara
Oct 7, 2008
Dave presents the (fake) opening credits of the second presidential debate, which closely resemble Magnum P.I.; Debra Messing plugs "The Starter Wife" and takes a jab at Sarah Pali
Bill Murray, Beck
Oct 9, 2008
Michael Bearden fills in for Paul; a man wanders onstage to get his copy of the Fun Facts book autographed; Bill Murray promotes City of Ember and conducts a town hall debate; Beck
Jeremy Piven, Elizabeth Banks, Lou Reed
Oct 10, 2008
Tonight on "Late Show Green Tips," Chris and Gerard show off their new hybrid; Jeremy Piven discusses winning his third Emmy; Alan has a few words to say to Gov. Sarah Palin; Eliza
Bill O'Reilly, Lauren Conrad
Oct 27, 2008
Bill O'Reilly and Lauren Conrad are the scheduled guests.
Regis Philbin, James Taylor
Oct 28, 2008
Regis Philbin and James Taylor are the scheduled guests.
Alec Baldwin, Paul Mooney, Ryan Adams
Oct 29, 2008
Alec Baldwin, Paul Mooney, and Ryan Adams & The Cardinals are the scheduled guests.
Ashley Olsen, Paul Rudd, John Legend
Oct 30, 2008
"New Halloween Costumes" include Sarah Palin's passport, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Amy Winehouse's hair, and an oversized copy of the Fun Facts book; Cole Hamels of the Wor
Marcia Cross, Alan Zweibel
Oct 31, 2008
Marcia Cross, Alan Zweibel, and George Clinton are the scheduled guests.
Paris Hilton, Elvis Costello, Jenny Lewis, a Top Ten List by Ricky Gervais
Nov 3, 2008
Paris Hilton, Elvis Costello, and Jenny Lewis are the scheduled guests. Plus, a Top Ten from Ricky Gervais!
Tom Brokaw, Vera Farmiga
Nov 5, 2008
Dave shares a few thoughts on election night; an audience member panics when he realizes he forgot to vote; Tom Brokaw promotes his best-selling book, "Boom!"; a very pregnant Vera
Ben Stiller, Q-Tip
Nov 6, 2008
Ben Stiller and Q-Tip the scheduled guests. Plus, the Kid Scientists of Naperville, IL!
Natalie Portman, Artie Lange, Brad Paisley
Nov 7, 2008
Alec Baldwin endorses the Fun Facts book; Natalie Portman discusses campaigning for President-elect Obama; Bill Scheft begs the new president to make an ass of himself; Artie Lange
Ted Turner, Jamie Oliver, Taylor Swift
Nov 10, 2008
Ted Turner, Jamie Oliver, and Taylor Swift are the scheduled guests.
Don Rickles, Amy Brenneman, Alicia Keys
Nov 11, 2008
Dave shows a clip of King Tut's mummy appearing on Maury; NFL superstar Terrell Owens presents the Top Ten; the legendary Don Rickles plugs his new book and riffs on marriage and g
Russell Brand, Charlie Haden
Nov 12, 2008
Russell Brand and Charlie Haden are the scheduled guests. Plus, Stupid Human Tricks!
Bill Cosby, Matt Braunger
Nov 14, 2008
A plug for Tribute Bands Week; Bill Cosby does some stand-up, promotes the "Cosby Show" complete series DVD set and comments on the election; The Answer (making their American TV d
Emma Thompson, Michelle Felicetta, Purple Reign
Nov 17, 2008
Emma Thompson and fox attack survivor Michelle Felicetta are the scheduled guests. Plus, Day 1 of "Tribute Band Week" with Purple Reign!
Carla Bruni Sarkozy, Jack Hanna, Cold Hard Cash
Nov 18, 2008
With First Lady of France Carla Bruni Sarkozy on the show, Dave wonders if he'll accidentally start an international incident; Lyle the Intern and his pal "Rudy" (Joe Grossman) pro
Katie Couric, Dev Patel, Mr. Brownstone
Nov 19, 2008
Day 3 of "Tribute Band Week" with Mr. Brownstone. Plus, Katie Couric!
Stephen Colbert, Kristen Stewart, Super Diamond
Nov 20, 2008
Stephen Colbert and Kristen Stewart are the scheduled guests.
James Franco, Bruce McCall, The Allstarz
Nov 21, 2008
James Franco and Bruce McCall are the scheduled guests. Plus, Day 5 of "Tribute Band Week" with The Allstarz!
Nicole Kidman, Simon Baker, Kanye West
Nov 24, 2008
Nicole Kidman, Simon Baker, and Kanye West are the scheduled guests.
Reese Witherspoon, Harry Connick Jr.
Nov 25, 2008
Dave calls out Tony for making him read the same monologue joke twice; after President Bush pardoned 14 convicted felons that week, Dave and Alan grant clemency to an audience memb
Teri Hatcher, Ludacris
Nov 26, 2008
Teri Hatcher, Ludacris, and T-Pain are the scheduled guests.
Denis Leary, John Mayer
Nov 27, 2008
Denis Leary and John Mayer are the scheduled guests. Plus, Dave's Mom and the 16th annual pie-guessing contest!
Tom Arnold, Faith Hill
Nov 28, 2008
Bruce Willis promotes the Fun Facts book, declaring the tome "Yippee-ki-larious, mother****er!"; Tom Arnold laments the failure of his third marriage and plugs Gardens of the Night
Jennifer Connelly, Anderson Cooper, The Duke Spirit
Dec 8, 2008
Jennifer Connelly, Anderson Cooper, and The Duke Spirit are the scheduled guests. Plus, a special Top Ten from the Ball State University football team!
Amy Adams, Michael Sheen, Jamey Johnson
Dec 9, 2008
Amy Adams, Michael Sheen, and Jamey Johnson are the scheduled guests.
Keanu Reeves, Paula Abdul, Loudon Wainwright III
Dec 10, 2008
Keanu Reeves, Paula Abdul, and Loudon Wainwright III are the scheduled guests.
Sen. John McCain, Bon Iver
Dec 11, 2008
Sen. John McCain and Bon Iver are the scheduled guests.
Meryl Streep, Jeff Altman
Dec 12, 2008
In need of a pick-me-up, Dave repeats the sneezing monkey clip; a bronchitis-stricken Meryl Streep promotes Doubt; Dave's old buddy Jeff Altman does a few impressions.
Adam Sandler
Dec 15, 2008
Adam Sandler is the scheduled guest. Plus, a Holiday Toy Demo!
Tom Cruise, Fall Out Boy
Dec 16, 2008
Tom Cruise and Fall Out Boy are the scheduled guests.
Jennifer Aniston, Broken Social Scene
Dec 17, 2008
Jennifer Aniston and Broken Social Scene are the scheduled guests, and a special top ten list with Jim Carrey.
Will Smith, Of Montreal
Dec 18, 2008
Will Smith and Of Montreal are the scheduled guests.
Jerry Seinfeld, Leona Lewis
Dec 19, 2008
Jerry Seinfeld and Leona Lewis are the scheduled guests.
Dustin Hoffman, Todd Rundgren
Dec 22, 2008
Dustin Hoffman and Todd Rundgren guest. PLUS: An Apology from Bernie Madoff; Coach Mike Singletary; the Bitter Cold Hits the "Today" Show; the Al Qaeda Holiday Party; and a Top Te
Jay Thomas, Mickey Rourke, Darlene Love
Dec 23, 2008
Mickey Rourke; Jay Thomas; and Darlene Love. PLUS: Great Moments in Presidential Speeches; a sneezing monkey; a top ten list; Holiday Quarterback Challenge; and Paul Shaffer's doe
Tracy Morgan, Matt Braunger
Dec 26, 2008
Dave shows a (phony) clip of Larry King interviewing the shoe that was thrown at President Bush; Tracy Morgan jokes about his recent legal troubles; Dave asks Paul about how he spe
Kate Hudson, Glasvegas
Jan 5, 2009
Kate Hudson; and Glasvegas. PLUS: CNN Clip of the Night; Great Moments in Presidential Speeches; Homeland Security USA; Changes in the Late Show 2009; the President defends his re
Kevin James, Becky Quick, Erin McCarley
Jan 6, 2009
Dave delivers a pizza to an audience member, but she's too excited to eat it; Dave reads the "Top Ten Questions"; Kevin James plugs Paul Blart: Mall Cop and discusses his weight pr
Ricky Gervais, Rose Byrne, Okkervil River
Jan 7, 2009
Ricky Gervais; Rose Byrne; and Okkervil River. PLUS: Great Moments in Presidential Speeches; Ball State at the GMAC Bowl; what's popular on the Monkey Channel; the White House lun
Kate Winslet, Marv Albert
Jan 8, 2009
Kate Winslet; and Marv Albert. PLUS: Great Moments in Presidential Speeches; Front Page of the New York Post; Regis in High-Def; and a Top Ten List.
Kiefer Sutherland, Wendy Liebman
Jan 9, 2009
Kiefer Sutherland; and Wendy Liebman. PLUS: Great Moments in Presidential Speeches; a monkey sneezing; a squid sneezing; Dick Cheney Lie Count; Governor Bill Richardson; Late Show
Billy Crystal, Kara DioGuardi
Jan 12, 2009
Billy Crystal; and Kara DioGuardi. PLUS: Great Moments in Presidential Speeches; an Odd Blagojevich Press Conference; 49er Coach Mike Singletary; and a Top Ten List with Owen Wils
Salma Hayek, Jimmie Walker
Jan 13, 2009
Salma Hayek; and Jimmie Walker. PLUS: Great Moments in Presidential Speeches; phone call for David Letterman; little known things about the Bush Administration; Dave's Cocoa Guy;
Clint Eastwood, Randy Rogers Band
Jan 14, 2009
Clint Eastwood; and Randy Rogers Band. PLUS: Great Moments in Presidential Speeches; The 9th Anniversary of Dave's Quintuple; and Alan Kalter's Celebrity Interview.
Kyra Sedgwick, Gwen Ifill
Jan 15, 2009
Kyra Sedgwick; and Gwen Ifill. PLUS: Great Moments in Presidential Speeches; George W. Bush cleaning his glasses; Inauguration Day Plans; filling in for Osama bin Laden; and Chris
Zach Braff, Arj Barker, The Airborne Toxic Event
Jan 16, 2009
Zach Braff; Arj Barker; and The Airborne Toxic Event. PLUS: Great Moments in Presidential Speeches; "Bride Wars"; Mystery Sound in Space; Alan Kalter's How It Works; and a Late Sh
Naomi Watts, Danny McBride, 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover reveal
Feb 9, 2009
The crew of US Airways "Miracle On The Hudson" Flight 1549, Heartless Bastards
Feb 10, 2009
Ellen Pompeo, Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth, Willie Nelson with Asleep at the Wheel
Feb 16, 2009
Jon Stewart, U2, a Top Ten List featuring 10 Team USA members from the World Baseball Classic
Mar 5, 2009
Jon Stewart is scheduled to appear. Plus, Day 4 of U2 Week!
Billy Crystal, Kara DioGuardi, a Top Ten List presented by Owen Wilson
Mar 19, 2009
After discussing Bruce Willis' wedding at length, Dave mentions that he married his longtime girlfriend in a private ceremony this past weekend, than explains all the obstacles he
David Spade, Richard Zoglin, David Sanborn and Sam Moore
Mar 20, 2009
Via videotape, Osama bin Laden congratulates Dave on his marriage to Regina; tonight on "At Home with the Madoffs," Bernie and Ruth watch TV; Mary Tyler Moore plugs her autobiograp
Seth Rogen, Tom Dreesen, Adele
Mar 30, 2009
Following the monologue, two goons walk off with Tony, claiming he's been adopted by Madonna; in lieu of Biff, Andy Kindler makes the annual trip to Yankees Spring Training; champi
Matthew Fox, Carol Leifer, the All-American Rejects, a Top Ten List presented by Matthew Stafford
Apr 27, 2009
Norm MacDonald, a Top Ten List presented by Leonard Nimoy, Animal Collective
May 7, 2009
Kid Scientists, Teri Hatcher, Rick Ross with Magazeen, a Top Ten List presented by Ron Howard
May 14, 2009
Kathy Griffin, Stupid Human Tricks, Sonic Youth, an NBA Finals report by Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash
Jun 10, 2009
Danny DeVito, Bear Grylls, Phoenix
Jun 18, 2009
Dave welcomes the star of the FX network comedy, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", Danny Devito. Topics include Danny's now infamous Youtube moment when it appeared he was drunk
Jada Pinkett Smith, Michael Cera, the Sounds
Jun 19, 2009
Jada Pinkett-Smith discusses her new role as a doctor in the TnT Tuesday night drama, "Hawthorne" and her oldest son, Jaden's new role in the Karate Kid remake, "Kung Fu Kid". Jada
Samuel L. Jackson, Emeril Lagasse, Iggy Pop & the Brighton Port Authority
Jun 22, 2009
Sandra Day O'Connor, MSTRKRFT with John Legend, a Top Ten List presented by Lucas Glover
Jun 23, 2009
Serena Williams, Hayden Panettiere, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
Jul 6, 2009
Daniel Radcliffe, Veronika Part, Levon Helm, a Top Ten List presented by Bruno
Jul 9, 2009
Kevin Spacey, Jesse James, the Flatlanders, a Top Ten List presented by Stewart Cink
Jul 21, 2009
Eric Bana, Dave Matthews Band, a Top Ten List presented by Chicago White Sox star Mark Buehrle
Jul 27, 2009
Adam Sandler, Cage the Elephant
Jul 30, 2009
Quentin Tarantino, Eric Ripert, and Robert Cray are the scheduled guests.
Donald Trump, Diane Kruger, Billy Currington, a Top Ten List presented by Britney Spears
Aug 18, 2009