Late Show with David Letterman: Season 17
Season 17 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 16.
- 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 17 Progress Shield
Howie Mandel, Dock Diving Dogs, Dirty Projectors
Aug 31, 2009
Dave makes an unusual offer to Moammar Khadafi; throughout the night, Dock Diving Dogs make a splash out on 53rd Street; Howie Mandel explains the origins of his obsessive-compulsi
Jeremy Piven, Rumer Willis, Black Crowes
Sep 1, 2009
A message from the Department of Labor; a staffer gives Dave a 16th anniversary t-shirt (courtesy of Dave); Jeremy Piven puts the mercury poisoning rumors to rest; Rumor Willis plu
Billy Crystal and John Fogerty
Sep 3, 2009
Billy Crystal and John Fogerty are the scheduled guests.
Neil Patrick Harris, Steve Mazan, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Sep 4, 2009
Footage of Dick Cheney wheezing through an interview on Fox News; Dave expresses jealousy towards Neil Patrick Harris for appearing on the cover of the CBS/Viacom magazine "Watch!"
Tony Blair and Julianna Margulies
Sep 8, 2009
Tony Blair and Julianna Margulies are the scheduled guests.
President Barack Obama
Sep 21, 2009
Barack Obama becomes the first president to appear on the Late Show while in office. During his 30+ minute sit-down with Dave, President Obama discusses the economy, foreign policy
Larry David, Olivia Wilde and Tom Russell
Oct 2, 2009
Larry David, Olivia Wilde and Tom Russell are the scheduled guests.
CBS Orchestra bandleader Paul Shaffer, Eliza Dushku and KISS
Oct 6, 2009
CBS Orchestra bandleader Paul Shaffer, Eliza Dushku and KISS are the scheduled guests.
Tom Hanks, Weezer, a Top Ten List presented by Chad Ochocinco
Oct 29, 2009
Tom Hanks and Weezer are the scheduled guests.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Guy Fieri, Carrie Underwood, Top Ten with Meb Keflezighi
Nov 2, 2009
Al Gore, Brad Paisley, a Top Ten List presented by Michael Bublé
Nov 3, 2009
Al Gore and Brad Paisley are the scheduled guests. Plus, a special Top Ten from Michael Buble!
Ricky Gervais, Brian Regan, Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
Nov 6, 2009
Ricky Gervais, Brian Regan, and Ralph Stanley are the scheduled guests.
Kate Walsh, Norah Jones
Nov 11, 2009
Dave rambles on about an pre-show audience question that really wasn't; a Top Ten list with no theme; Kate Walsh looks back at the early days of her acting career; Andre Agassi pro
Sharon Stone, Seth Meyers, Wyclef Jean and Cyndi Lauper
Nov 16, 2009
Dave briefly comments on the overusage of the word "douche"; Sharon Stone talks about her kids and defends her decision to pose topless in Paris Match; Seth Meyers shares a funny s
Stephen Colbert, Emily Blunt, John Mayer
Nov 19, 2009
Stephen Colbert, Emily Blunt, and John Mayer are the scheduled guests.
Natalie Portman, Adam Lambert
Nov 25, 2009
Thanksgiving episode with Dave's Mom. Natalie Portman and Adam Lambert are the scheduled guests, and Dave guesses the pie that Dave's Mom made.
Hugh Grant, Zoe Saldana, Alicia Keys
Dec 14, 2009
Hugh Grant, Zoe Saldana, and Alicia Keys are the scheduled guests.
Maggie Gyllenhaal and John Witherspoon
Dec 21, 2009
Maggie Gyllenhaal and John Witherspoon are the scheduled guests. Plus, a Top Ten list from Stewie Griffin!
Susan Sarandon, Colbie Caillat
Dec 22, 2009
Susan Sarandon and Colbie Caillat are the scheduled guests. Plus, "Top Ten Christmas Carols!"
Alec Baldwin, Jay Thomas, Darlene Love
Dec 23, 2009
Alec Baldwin gets intimidated by an acting legend. Also: Jay Thomas returns and Darlene Love sings "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).
Michael Cera, Jenna Elfman, David Gray
Jan 4, 2010
Michael Cera, Jenna Elfman, and David Gray are the scheduled guests.
Amy Adams, Zachary Levi, Vampire Weekend
Jan 5, 2010
Did "Chuck" star Zachary Levy almost get a guy killed? Plus: Amy Adams and music from Vampire Weekend.
Sigourney Weaver, Marv Albert, Julian Casablancas
Jan 6, 2010
Dave & Sigourney Weaver turn "Avatar" blue. Plus: Marv Albert's wild & wacky sports bloopers and Julian Casablancas performs.
Bradley Cooper, Rachel Maddow, Nick Jonas
Jan 7, 2010
Bradley Cooper, Rachel Maddow, and Nick Jonas are the scheduled guests. Plus, the "Top Ten Things I've Learned From the Last 20 Years of Television," presented by Homer Simpson.
Teri Hatcher, Jake Johannsen, The Dodos
Jan 8, 2010
Teri Hatcher strips with broken ribs. Plus: comedian Jake Johannsen and the music of The Dodos.
Whoopi Goldberg, Jason Sudeikis, Findlay Brown
Jan 12, 2010
Whoopi Goldberg, Jason Sudeikis, Findlay Brown.
Kiefer Sutherland, Keri Russell, The Hotrats
Jan 13, 2010
Why is Kiefer Sutherland wearing a dress? Also tonight: those NBC pinheads, Keri Russell & music from The HotRats.
Denzel Washington, Dr. O. Wayne Isom, The Low Anthem
Jan 14, 2010
Was Dave fondled on the operating table? Celebrate the 10th anniversary of his heart surgery with Dr. O. Wayne Isom. Plus Denzel Washington: Bad Heart Surgeon, and music from The L
Glenn Close, Eddie Brill, Matt Morris
Jan 15, 2010
Tonight: an incredible week comes to an end with Glenn Close, comedian Eddie Brill and music by Matt Morris.
Kristen Bell, Randy Jackson, The Heavy
Jan 18, 2010
Tonight: Kristen Bell, Randy Jackson and The Heavy. Dave responds to NBC's Dick Ebersol, plus what will "The Tonight Show" look like in the year 2042?
Dwayne Johnson, Bettina Luescher, The Swell Season
Jan 19, 2010
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Bettina Luescher, and The Swell Season are the scheduled guests.
Harrison Ford, Lou Reed, Blind Boys of Alabama
Jan 21, 2010
Harrison Ford, Lou Reed and the Blind Boys of Alabama
John Travolta, Shaun White, Ben Harper & Relentless7
Feb 2, 2010
Actor John Travolta; snowboarder Shaun White; Ben Harper and Relentless7 perform.
Sarah Silverman, Jeremy Renner, Nneka, a Top Ten List presented by Paris Hilton
Feb 3, 2010
Comic Sarah Silverman; actor Jeremy Renner; Paris Hilton presents the Top Ten list; Nneka performs.
Jamie Foxx, Amanda Seyfried, Robin Thicke
Feb 4, 2010
Actor Jamie Foxx; actress Amanda Seyfried; Robin Thicke performs.
Jack Hanna, Joe Wong, the Swell Season
Feb 5, 2010
Animal handler Jack Hanna; comic Joe Wong; the Swell Season performs.
Drew Brees, Sandra Bullock, Josh Turner
Feb 8, 2010
Drew Brees, Sandra Bullock, and Josh Turner are the scheduled guests. Plus, the cover of the 2010 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is unveiled!
Jennifer Garner, the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover model, Sade
Feb 9, 2010
Jennifer Garner; the 2010 Sports Illustrated cover model; Sade; ``Survivor'' contestants.
Jessica Biel, Christoph Waltz
Feb 10, 2010
Jessica Biel; Christoph Waltz; Josh Turner; ``Survivor'' contestants.
Regis and Joy Philbin, a Top Ten List presented by Benicio Del Toro
Feb 11, 2010
Regis and Joy Philbin; Elizabeth Banks; Benicio Del Toro.
Jeff Bridges, Joe Wong, the Soft Pack
Feb 12, 2010
Actor Jeff Bridges; comic Joe Wong; the Soft Pack performs.
Tracy Morgan, the Daytona 500 winner, Fanfarlo
Feb 15, 2010
Actor Tracy Morgan; the winner of the Daytona 500; Fanfarlo performs.
Ben Kingsley, Mary J. Blige
Feb 16, 2010
Stupid Pet Tricks; actor Ben Kingsley; Mary J. Blige performs.
Ewan McGregor, Abby Elliott, Mumford & Sons
Feb 17, 2010
Actor Ewan McGregor; comic Abby Elliott; Mumford & Sons perform.
Scarlett Johansson, Daniel Merriweather
Feb 18, 2010
Actress Scarlett Johansson; Daniel Merriweather performs.
Nicole Richie, comic Tom Papa.
Feb 19, 2010
TV personality Nicole Richie; comic Tom Papa.
Mitt Romney, Mia Wasikowska
Mar 2, 2010
Author Mitt Romney; actress Mia Wasikowska; figure skater Evan Lysacek presents the Top Ten list.
Tom Hanks, Spoon
Mar 4, 2010
Actor Tom Hanks, Spoon, and a Top Ten list presented by US Winter Olympic Bobsled Gold Medalists Steve Holcomb, Justin Olsen, Steve Mesler, and Curt Tomasevicz.
Matt Damon, Danny Bhoy, Corinne Bailey Rae
Mar 5, 2010
Actor Matt Damon; comic Danny Bhoy; Corinne Bailey Rae performs.
Julianna Margulies, Broken Bells
Mar 9, 2010
Actress Julianna Margulies; grocery bagging champion Kyle Perry; Broken Bells perform.
Jessica Simpson, Mehmet Oz, Rod Blagojevich, Alkaline Trio
Mar 10, 2010
Jessica Simpson; Mehmet Oz; Rod Blagojevich; Alkaline Trio.
Liev Schreiber, Jim Gaffigan, Drive-By Truckers
Mar 12, 2010
Actor Liev Schreiber; comic Jim Gaffigan; Drive-By Truckers perform.
Jennifer Aniston, Charles Moore
Mar 15, 2010
Actress Jennifer Aniston; environmentalist Charles Moore.
Jimmy Kimmel, Kirstie Alley
Mar 16, 2010
TV host Jimmy Kimmel; actress Kirstie Alley; rapper Snoop Dogg presents the Top Ten list.
Ben Stiller, Jamie Oliver, Justin Bieber
Mar 23, 2010
Actor Ben Stiller; chef Jamie Oliver; Justin Bieber performs.
Tina Fey, Bryan Cranston, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Mar 24, 2010
Actress Tina Fey; actor Bryan Cranston; Joan Jett and the Blackhearts perform.
Robin Williams, Paige Miles, Usher
Mar 29, 2010
Actor Robin Williams; eliminated ``American Idol'' contestant Paige Miles; Usher performs.
Luke Wilson, Pam Stout, Alan Jackson
Mar 30, 2010
Actor Luke Wilson; President of the Sandpoint Tea Party Patriots Pam Stout; Alan Jackson performs.
Ricky Gervais, Turkey Callers, The Whigs
Mar 31, 2010
Actor Ricky Gervais; turkey callers; The Whigs perform.
Sam Worthington, Mike Greenberg & Mike Golic, Patty Loveless
Apr 1, 2010
Actor Sam Worthington; sportscasters Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic; Patty Loveless performs.
Jennifer Lopez, Mike Golic & Mike Greenberg, American Idol castoffs Andrew Garcia & Katie Stevens
Apr 19, 2010
Courtney Love, Michael Caine, Hole
Apr 27, 2010
Singer Courtney Love; actor Michael Caine; Hole performs.
Robert Downey Jr., OK Go
Apr 28, 2010
Actor Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man 2); OK Go performs.
Gwyneth Paltrow, Broadway cast of ``American Idiot''
Apr 29, 2010
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow (Iron Man 2); a performance by the Broadway cast of ``American Idiot.''
David Beckham, Mike Birbiglia, Hold Steady
Apr 30, 2010
Professional soccer player David Beckham; comic Mike Birbiglia; the Hold Steady performs.
Mickey Rourke, Jim Parsons, eliminated ``American Idol'' contestant Siobhan Magnus
May 3, 2010
Actor Mickey Rourke (Iron Man 2); actor Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory); eliminated ``American Idol'' contestant Siobhan Magnus.
Russell Crowe, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
May 4, 2010
Actor Russell Crowe (Robin Hood); Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (CD, "I Learned the Hard Way") perform.
Jack Hanna, Kerry Washington, Willie Nelson
May 5, 2010
Animal handler Jack Hanna; actress Kerry Washington; Willie Nelson performs.
Brian Williams, Beth Ostrosky Stern, Court Yard Hounds
May 6, 2010
Journalist Brian Williams; author Beth Ostrosky Stern; Court Yard Hounds perform.
Amanda Peet, Nick Griffin, Wale
May 7, 2010
Actress Amanda Peet (Please Give); comic Nick Griffin; Wale (CD, "Attention Deficit") performs.
Evangeline Lilly, Sam Rockwell, Aaron Kelly, Million Dollar Quartet
May 10, 2010
Actress Evangeline Lilly; actor Sam Rockwell; eliminated ``American Idol'' contestant Aaron Kelly; a performance by the Broadway cast of ``Million Dollar Quartet.''
Queen Latifah, Will Forte, MGMT performs, Dallas Braden presents the Top Ten List
May 11, 2010
Actress Queen Latifah; actor Will Forte; MGMT performs; Oakland Athletics pitcher Dallas Braden presents the Top Ten List.
Michael Keaton, Jenna Fischer
May 12, 2010
Actor Michael Keaton; actress Jenna Fischer.
Matthew Fox, Zac Brown Band,
May 17, 2010
Matthew Fox; Zac Brown Band; Jason Randal; Michael Lynche.
Jonah Hill, Janelle Monae, John Carney, a Top Ten List presented by Miss USA Rima Fakih
May 18, 2010
Jonah Hill; Janelle Monáe; John Carney; Miss USA Rima Fakih presents the Top Ten list.
Russell Brand, Johnny
May 19, 2010
Russell Brand; Johnny Ace Palmer; Stone Temple Pilots; Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse.
Katherine Heigl, Steve Cohen, Band of Horses
May 20, 2010
Actress Katherine Heigl; magician Steve Cohen; Band of Horses performs.
Ashton Kutcher, Larry Miller, Michael Ammar, Brooks & Dunn with Reba McEntire
May 21, 2010
Ashton Kutcher; Larry Miller; Brooks & Dunn; Michael Ammar; Reba McEntire.
Don Rickles, Piedmont Bird Callers, John Prine with Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket
May 26, 2010
Miley Cyrus, Rick Harrison
Jun 17, 2010
Actress Miley Cyrus, TV personality Rick Harrison.
Jada Pinkett Smith, Larry Miller, Fred Eaglesmith
Jun 18, 2010
Actress Jada Pinkett Smith; comic Larry Miller; Fred Eaglesmith performs.
Salma Hayek, Chris
Jun 21, 2010
Actress Salma Hayek (Grown Ups), Chris "Mad Dog" Russo
Regis Philbin, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Jun 22, 2010
Regis Philbin (Daytime Emmy Awards), Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (CD, "Backatown")
Adam Sandler, Bettye LaVette
Jun 23, 2010
Actor Adam Sandler( Grown Ups); Bettye LaVette (CD, "Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook") performs.
Kevin James, Thomas L. Friedman
Jun 24, 2010
Actor Kevin James (Grown Ups), journalist Thomas L. Friedman (Book, "Hot, Flat, and Crowded 2.0: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America")
Jay-Z, Eminem
Jun 25, 2010
Jay-Z (CD, "The Blueprint 3"), Top Ten with Eminem, Jay-Z and Eminem (CD, "Recovery")
Kristen Stewart, Gary Faulkner, Tokyo Police Club, Top Ten with John Isner
Jun 28, 2010
Guests include actress Kristen Stewart (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse), Gary Faulkner (Guy who tried to hunt down Osama bin Laden), with musical geust Tokyo Police Club (CD, "Champ")
Dolly Parton, Landon Donovan
Jun 29, 2010
Singer Dolly Parton (Hallmark's Dolly Celebrates 25 Years of Dollywood), Landon Donovan (USA National Soccer Team).
Julianne Moore, Mike Massimino, The New Pornographers
Jun 30, 2010
Actress Julianne Moore (The Kids Are All Right); astronaut Mike Massimino; The New Pornographers perform (CD, "Together").
Taylor Lautner, Barry Sonnenfeld
Jul 1, 2010
Actor Taylor Lautner (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse); director Barry Sonnenfeld.
Nicolas Cage, Steel Train
Jul 12, 2010
Actor Nicolas Cage (The Sorcerer's Apprentice); Steel Train (CD, "Steel Train") performs.
Kristin Chenoweth, Jonathan Alter, M.I.A.
Jul 13, 2010
Actress Kristin Chenoweth (Broadway's "Promises, Promises"); journalist Jonathan Alter (Book, "The Promise: President Obama, Year One"); M.I.A. (CD, "Maya") performs.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Laurie Anderson
Jul 14, 2010
Summer toy demonstration; actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Inception); Laurie Anderson (CD, "Homeland") performs.
Kyra Sedgwick, Bret Michaels, Jimmy Cliff
Jul 15, 2010
Actress Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer); singer Bret Michaels (CD, "Custom Built"); Jimmy Cliff (CD, "Existence") performs.
Sylvester Stallone, Rob Corddry, Robyn
Jul 19, 2010
Actor Sylvester Stallone; actor Rob Corddry; Robyn performs.
Steve Carell, Selena Gomez, Sheryl Crow
Jul 20, 2010
Actor Steve Carell; actress Selena Gomez; Sheryl Crow performs.
Bill Murray, Alejandro Escovedo
Jul 21, 2010
Actor Bill Murray; Alejandro Escovedo performs.
Joan Rivers, Bill Burr, Steve Winwood
Jul 22, 2010
Comic Joan Rivers; comic Bill Burr; Steve Winwood performs.
Denis Leary, Albert Pujols, Jimmy Webb
Jul 26, 2010
Actor Denis Leary; MLB player Albert Pujols; Jimmy Webb performs.
Luke Wilson, Kristen Schaal, Dierks Bentley
Jul 27, 2010
Actor Luke Wilson; actress Kristen Schaal; Dierks Bentley performs.
Michael Keaton, The Flaming Lips
Jul 28, 2010
Actor Michael Keaton; The Flaming Lips perform.
Paul Rudd, Bill Burr, Interpol
Jul 29, 2010
Actor Paul Rudd; comic Bill Burr; Interpol performs.
Will Ferrell, Nas and Damian Marley
Aug 2, 2010
Actor Will Ferrell (The Other Guys); Nas and Damian Marley (CD , "Distant Relatives") perform.
Michael Cera, Rachel Maddow, Herbie Hancock
Aug 3, 2010
Actor Michael Cera (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World); TV show host Rachel Maddow (The Rachel Maddow Show); Herbie Hancock (CD, "The Imagine Project") performs.
Julia Roberts, The Dead Weather
Aug 4, 2010
Actress Julia Roberts (Eat, Pray, Love); The Dead Weather (CD, "Sea of Cowards") performs.
Mark Wahlberg, Cory Kahaney, VV Brown
Aug 5, 2010
Actor Mark Wahlberg (The Other Guys); Dock Diving Dogs; comedian Cory Kahaney; VV Brown (CD, "Traveling Like The Light") performs.
Christina Applegate, Tom Dreesen, The Pretty Reckless
Aug 25, 2010
Dave welcomes actress Christina Applegate, comedian Tom Dreesen and The Pretty Reckless performs.
Anne Heche, Ken Burns, The Specials
Aug 26, 2010
Dave welcomes actress Anne Heche, documentarian Ken Burns and The Specials perform.
Jessica Alba, Jimmie Walker, Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses
Aug 30, 2010
Dave welcomes actress Jessica Alba, comic Jimmie Walker and Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses.