Late Show with David Letterman: Season 18
Season 18 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 17.
- 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 18 Progress Shield
Bill Cosby, a Top Ten List presented by Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, the Black Keys
Jan 10, 2011
S.I. Swimsuit Cover Reveal & Top 10, Tom Brokaw, Theophilus London
Feb 14, 2011
Tom Brokaw, a Top Ten List presented by 10 "Sports Illustrated" swimsuit models, Theophilus London
Forest Whitaker, S.I. Swimsuit Cover Model Irina, Josh Groban, Top Ten with Joy Philbin
Feb 15, 2011
Norm Macdonald, CC Sabathia, Willie Nelson, Norah Jones and Wynton Marsalis
Mar 30, 2011
Courteney Cox, Aziz Ansari, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
Apr 13, 2011
Betty White, Rick Harrison, Morning Teleportation
May 4, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Betty White, reality-TV star Rick Harrison and Morning Teleportation performs.
Jodie Foster, Tom Dreesen, Neon Trees
May 5, 2011
Jodie Foster, Tom Dreesen, Neon Trees
Bill Murray, ''The Human Fuse'' Brian Miser, Brother
May 6, 2011
Bill Murray, "The Human Fuse" Brian Miser, Brother
Joan Rivers, Nick Griffin, Okkervil River
May 13, 2011
Dave welcomes comedian Joan Rivers, comic Nick Griffin and Okkervil River performs.
Julianna Margulies, Andy Cohen, a Top Ten List presented by Christina Aguilera, White Lies
May 16, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Julianna Margulies from CBS's "The Good Wife," talk show host Andy Cohen, a Top Ten List presented by singer Christina Aguilera and White Lies perform.
Martin Short, Melissa McCarthy, Tinie Tempah
May 17, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Martin Short, actress Melissa McCarthy from CBS's "Mike & Molly" and Tinie Tempah performs.
Keith Olbermann, Julie Bowen, Ben Harper
May 18, 2011
Dave welcomes TV host Keith Olbermann, actress Julie Bowen and Ben Harper performs.
Kelly Ripa, Jennifer Lawrence, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
May 19, 2011
Dave welcomes Kelly Ripa, X-Men's Jennifer Lawrence and the cast of the Broadway's "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Plus: What Would Chris Rock Do?
Tracy Morgan, Jake Johannsen, The Airborne Toxic Event
May 20, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Tracy Morgan, comic Jake Johannsen and The Airborne Toxic Event performs.
Lady Gaga, Eric Stonestreet, The Vaccines
May 23, 2011
Dave welcomes musician Lady Gaga, actor Eric Stonestreet and the Vaccines perform.
Ewan McGregor, Scott Pelley, Brad Paisley
May 24, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Ewan McGregor, CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley and Brad Paisley performs.
Piedmont Bird Callers, Kevin Bacon, Augustana
May 25, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Kevin Bacon, Piedmont Bird Callers perform, a top ten list presented by U S Armed Forces personnel and Augustana performs.
Ray Romano, Reese Waters, Arctic Monkeys
May 26, 2011
Dave welcomes Actor Ray Romano, comedian Reese Waters and Arctic Monkeys perform.
Meredith Vieira, Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon, Drum Solo Week kicks off with Anton Fig
Jun 6, 2011
Jon Cryer, Rachel Maddow, Roy Haynes
Jun 8, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Jon Cryer from CBS' "Two and a Half Men," journalist Rachel Maddow and drummer Roy Haynes performs.
Neil Patrick Harris, Mike Birbiglia, Neil Peart
Jun 9, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Neil Patrick Harris of CBS' "How I Met Your Mother," comic Mike Birbiglia and drummer Neil Peart performs.
Adm. Michael Mullen, Top Ten by Betty White, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears
Jun 13, 2011
Dave welcomes Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, A top-ten List presented by Betty White and Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears perform.
Ryan Reynolds, chef Eric Ripert and the cast of the Broadway musical Anything Goes
Jun 14, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Ryan Reynolds, chef Eric Ripert and a performance from the cast of the Broadway musical "Anything Goes."
Jim Carrey, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Todd Rundgren
Jun 15, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Jim Carrey, actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and a Top Ten list presented by the 2011 NBA Champions, The Dallas Mavericks.
Samuel L. Jackson, Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton, Jennifer Hudson
Jun 16, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Samuel L. Jackson, Texas Rangers star Josh Hamilton and Jennifer Hudson performs.
Jason Bateman, Amy Sedaris, Top Ten by Keith Olbermann, Drive-By Truckers
Jun 21, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Jason Bateman, actress Amy Sedaris, musical guests Drive-By Truckers and a "Top Ten" List presented by Keith Olbermann.
Kevin James, pet fashion designer Ada Nieves, Beady Eye
Jun 22, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Kevin James, pet fashion designer Ada Nieves, musical guests Beady Eye and a "Top Ten" list presented by musician Justin Bieber.
Jason Segel, horse whisperer Buck Brannaman, Noah and the Whale
Jun 23, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Jason Segel from the CBS comedy series "How I Met Your Mother," horse whisperer Buck Brannaman and musical guests Noah and the Whale.
Shia LaBeouf, Bert Kreischer, Dawes
Jun 27, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Shia LaBeouf, comedian/reality series star Bert Kreischer and musical guest Dawes. TV legend Henry Winkler joins Dave and Paul as celebrity judge for "Is This A
Tom Hanks, Sleepy Man Banjo Boys
Jun 28, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Tom Hanks and musical guest Sleepy Man Banjo Boys.
Patrick Dempsey, Erica Hill, Marty Stuart
Jun 29, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Patrick Dempsey, CBS News' "The Early Show" Anchor Erica Hill and musical guest Marty Stuart.
Julia Roberts, Cake
Jun 30, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Julia Roberts and musical guest Cake. Top Ten Reasons I, Dave Letterman, Am Proud To Be An American. How well does Julia Roberts know her "Larry Crowne" co-st
Emma Watson, George Lopez, Incubus
Jul 11, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Emma Watson, comedian/talk show host George Lopez and musical guest Incubus.
Roseanne Barr, Tom Felton, Blake Shelton
Jul 12, 2011
Dave welcomes comedian Roseanne Barr, actor Tom Felton and musical guest Blake Shelton.
Ryan Gosling, Gomez
Jul 13, 2011
Dave participates in a Summer Toy Demo and welcomes actor Ryan Gosling and musical guest Gomez.
Kyra Sedgwick, Tim Harmston, Nikki Jean
Jul 14, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Kyra Sedgwick, a Top Ten List presented by "Captain America" star Chris Evans, comedian Tim Harmston and musical guest Nikki Jean.
Steve Carell, Hope Solo and Abby Wambach, The Del McCoury Band and the Preservation Hall Band
Jul 19, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Steve Carell, U.S. women's soccer stars Hope Solo and Abby Wambach and musical guests The Del McCoury Band and the Preservation Hall Band.
Jeremy Piven, Captain Luis Montalvan, Cee-Lo Green
Jul 20, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Jeremy Piven, author Captain Luis Montalvan and musical guest Cee Lo Green.
Harrison Ford, Porcelain Black
Jul 21, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Harrison Ford and musical guests Porcelain Black.
Brian Williams, Tim Robbins & the Rogues Gallery Band
Jul 25, 2011
Dave welcomes news anchor Brian Williams and musical guest Tim Robbins & The Rogue Gallery Band.
Julianne Moore, Johnny Galecki, Tanner Foust, Eels
Jul 26, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Julianne Moore, actor Johnny Galecki from the CBS comedy series "The Big Bang Theory," musical guest Eels and an X Games stunt on 53rd Street with Tanner Fous
Craig Ferguson, Connie Britton, Anna Calvi
Jul 27, 2011
Dave welcomes Craig Ferguson, host of CBS's "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson," actress Connie Britton and musical guest Anna Calvi.
Kirstie Alley, Louis C.K., Fountains of Wayne
Jul 28, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Kirstie Alley, comedian Louis CK and musical guests Fountains of Wayne.
James Franco, Dianna Agron, Christina Perri
Aug 1, 2011
How cool are the special effects in the new Planet of the Apes movie? Check it out. The Glee star has broken her nose not once, but twice. Find out how she did it. Christina Perri
Ricky Gervais, Cat Deeley, Explosions in the Sky
Aug 2, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Ricky Gervais, television host Cat Deeley, musical guest Explosions in the Sky and a Top Ten List presented by Julie Chen, host of CBS's "Big Brother" and "The
Emma Stone, Alan Mulally, Sallie Ford
Aug 3, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Emma Stone, Ford Motor Company CEO Alan Mulally and musical guest Sallie Ford.
Colin Farrell, Christopher Ferguson, Typhoon
Aug 4, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Colin Farrell, NASA astronaut Christopher Ferguson and musical guest Typhoon.
Denis Leary, Elizabeth Cook, Drum Solo Week II kicks off with Tony Royster Jr.
Aug 22, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Dennis Leary, radio show host and singer Elizabeth Cook, and drum solo by Tony Royster Jr.
Rachel Maddow, Rose Byrne, Gavin Harrison
Aug 23, 2011
Dave welcomes talk show host Rachel Maddow and actress Rose Byrne also a drum solo by Gavin Harrison.
Ashton Kutcher, Rafael Nadal, Stewart Copeland
Aug 24, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Ashton Kutcher, star of the CBS comedy series "Two and a Half Men" and tennis star Rafael Nadal also a drum solo by Stewart Copeland.
Paul Rudd, Bill Burr, Dennis Chambers
Aug 25, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Paul Rudd and comedian Bill Burr also a drum solo by Dennis Chambers.
Jason Sudeikis, Bettina Luescher, St. Vincent
Aug 29, 2011
From Saturday Night Live, Jason Sudeikis promotes his movie "A Good Old Fashioned Orgy" Bettina Luescher, World Food Programme Chief Spokesperson for North America St. Vincent -
Alec Baldwin, Joe Namath, Lenny Kravitz
Aug 30, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Alec Baldwin, New York Jets legend, Joe Namath and musical guest Lenny Kravitz.
David Arquette, Aubrey Plaza, Thurston Moore
Aug 31, 2011
Dave welcomes David Arquette, who can currently be seen on 'Dancing with the Stars', Aubrey Plaza, who plays April Ludgate in the TV's 'Parks and Recreation', and Thurston Moore, l
Julianna Margulies, Joe Wong, Lady Antebellum
Sep 1, 2011
Kids say the darnedest things: find out what happened when Julianna Margulies' 3 year-old son saw her getting dressed. Joe Wong performs stand-up on the "Late Show" on September 1,
Kim, Kourtney & Khloe Kardashian, Michael Emerson, The Jim Jones Revue
Sep 6, 2011
Dave welcomes reality television stars Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, actor Michael Emerson from the new CBS drama series "Person Of Interest" and musical guest The Jim Jones
Michael J. Fox, Top Ten by the cast of Two and a Half Men, Jim McDonald, John Doe
Sep 8, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Michael J. Fox, a Top Ten List presented by Ashton Kutcher, Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones from the CBS comedy series "Two and a Half Men", comedian Jim McDonald
Dr. Jill Biden, Ted Danson
Sep 19, 2011
Dave welcomes Second Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden and actor Ted Danson from the CBS drama series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation".
Jonah Hill, Paula Abdul, Coldplay
Sep 20, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Jonah Hill, reality show judge Paula Abdul and musical guest Coldplay.
Taylor Lautner, Minka Kelly, Wilco
Sep 21, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Taylor Lautner, actress Minka Kelly and musical guest Wilco.
Sergeant Dakota Meyer, Sofia Vergara, Chris Cornell
Sep 22, 2011
Dave welcomes Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Dakota Meyer, actress Sofia Vergara and musical guest Chris Cornell.
Nathan Fillion, Larry Miller, The Jayhawks
Sep 23, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Nathan Fillion, comedian Larry Miller and musical guest Jayhawks.
Seth Rogen, Poppy Montgomery, Fleet Foxes
Sep 26, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Seth Rogen, Poppy Montgomery from the new CBS drama series "Unforgettable" and musical guest Fleet Foxes.
Jack Hanna, Anna Faris
Sep 27, 2011
Dave welcomes "Jungle" Jack Hanna and "What's Your Number?" star Anna Faris.
Anderson Cooper, Nick Offerman, The Knux
Sep 28, 2011
Dave welcomes talk show host Anderson Cooper, actor Nick Offerman and musical guest The Knux.
Kaley Cuoco, Skipper Bivins & Trent Jackson, Death Cab for Cutie
Sep 29, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Kaley Cuoco from the CBS comedy series "The Big Bang Theory", "Hillbilly Handfishin's" Skipper Bivins and Trent Jackson and musical guest Death Cab for Cutie.
Samuel L. Jackson, Karen Rontowski, Anne-Sophie Mutter
Sep 30, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Samuel L. Jackson, comedian Karen Rontowski and musical guest Anne-Sophie Mutter.
Brian Williams, Sting
Oct 3, 2011
Dave welcomes news anchor Brian Williams and musical Sting.
Hugh Jackman, Sean Young, Feist
Oct 4, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Hugh Jackman, actress Sean Young and musical guest Feist.
George Clooney, Mastodon
Oct 5, 2011
Dave welcomes actor George Clooney and musical guest Mastodon.
Caroline Kennedy, dock diving dogs, The Joy Formidable
Oct 6, 2011
Dave welcomes author Caroline Kennedy, diving dogs and musical guest The Joy Formidable.
Bryan Cranston, Jeff Altman, Garland Jeffreys
Oct 7, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Bryan Cranston, comedian Jeff Altman and musical guest Garland Jeffreys.
Tracy Morgan, Mike Golic & Mike Greenburg, Mates of State
Oct 10, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Tracy Morgan, sportscasters Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic and musical guest Mates of State.
Matthew Broderick, horse wrangler Erin Bolster and her horse Tonk, Hunter Hayes
Oct 11, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Matthew Broderick, horse wrangler Erin Bolster and her horse Tonk, who saved a young boy's life, and musical guest Hunter Hayes.
Bill Clinton, Deer Tick
Oct 12, 2011
Dave welcomes former President Bill Clinton and musical guest Deer Tick.
Bill O'Reilly, Martina McBride
Oct 13, 2011
Dave welcomes talk show host/author Bill O'Reilly and musical guest Martina McBride.
Artie Lange, Eddie Brill, Beirut
Oct 14, 2011
Dave welcomes comedian/radio host Artie Lange and comedian Eddie Brill and musical guest Beirut.
Salma Hayek, Keith Olbermann, Jane's Addiction
Oct 24, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Selma Hayek, talk show host Keith Olbermann and musical guest Jane's Addiction.
Eddie Murphy, Jane Levy, Mayer Hawthorne
Oct 25, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Eddie Murphy, actress Jane Levy and musical guest Mayer Hawthorne.
Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Esposito, The Civil Wars
Oct 26, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Justin Timberlake, actress Jennifer Esposito and musical guest The Civil Wars.
Johnny Depp, Foster the People
Oct 27, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Johnny Depp and musical guest Foster The People.
Tom Brokaw, Myq Kaplan, The Head & The Heart
Oct 28, 2011
Dave welcomes news anchor Tom Brokaw, comedian Myq Kaplan, and musical guest The Head & The Heart.
Mark Harmon, Mike Judge, Top Ten by Matt Lauer, Eli Young Band
Nov 3, 2011
"Beavis & Butt-Head" creator Mike Judge entertains with a dialogue and voices from a recent episode.
Bill Cosby, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit
Nov 4, 2011
Dave welcomes comedian Bill Cosby and musical guest Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.
Melissa McCarthy, Anthony Bourdain, Joan Baez & Kris Kristofferson
Nov 7, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Melissa McCarthy from the CBS comedy series "Mike & Molly," chef Anthony Bourdain, and musical guests Joan Baez and Kris Kristofferson.
Robert Pattinson, Annie Leibovitz, David Crosby and Graham Nash
Nov 8, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Robert Pattinson, photographer Annie Leibovitz, and musical guests David Crosby and Graham Nash.
Adam Sandler, Peter Gabriel
Nov 9, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Adam Sandler and musical guest Peter Gabriel.
Stupid Humans Tricks, Katie Holmes, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Nov 10, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Katie Holmes, musical guest Noel Ghallager's High Flying Birds, and a Top Ten List presented by Texas Governor Rick Perry. Also, Stupid Humans Tricks.
Steve Martin, Felicity Jones, Lonesome River Band feat. Steve Martin
Nov 11, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Steve Martin and actress Felicity Jones.
Jason Segel, Jamie Oliver, The Kooks
Nov 14, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Jason Segal from the CBS comedy series "How I Met Your Mother," chef Jamie Oliver, and musical guest The Kooks.
Bill Maher, Nikki Reed, Foo Fighters feat. Joan Jet
Nov 15, 2011
Dave welcomes comedian/talk show host Bill Maher, actress Nikki Reed, and musical guests Foo Fighters featuring Joan Jet.
Jerry Seinfeld, Lykke Li
Nov 16, 2011
Dave welcomes comedian Jerry Seinfeld and musical guest Lykke Li.
Regis Philbin, John Fogerty
Nov 17, 2011
Dave welcomes talk show host Regis Philbin and musical guest John Fogerty. See what happens when Regis Philbin takes a ride on his retirement gift from Dave, a new Vespa.
Herman Cain, Grouplove
Nov 18, 2011
Dave welcomes republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, and musical guest Grouplove.
Andy Kindler, Ty Burrell, Gayle King, Needtobreathe
Nov 21, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Ty Burrell, CBS News' Gayle King, and musical guest Needtobreath. Andy hangs out with the guys from American Pickers. Top Ten Other Articles In The Al Qaeda Mag
Amy Sedaris, Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo, Sondre Lerche
Nov 22, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Amy Sedaris, radio host Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo, and musical guest Sondre Lerche.
Justin Bieber, Brian Regan, FreeSol
Nov 23, 2011
Dave welcomes musician Justin Bieber, comedian Brian Regan, and musical guest Freesol. Top Ten Signs You Ate Too Much At Thanksgiving Dinner. The pop star talks about the paternity
Jonah Hill, Kristen Johnston, Ryan Adams
Dec 5, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Jonah Hill, actress Kristen Johnston, and musical guest Ryan Adams. Do all celebrities know each other? Jonah's mom thinks so. Kristen tells Dave about her dr
Matt Damon, Shelby Lynne
Dec 6, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Matt Damon and musical guest Shelby Lynne. Rupert Jee selects a fan to pose with Dave for their 2011 holiday card. Top Ten Ways the Super Earth Is Different F
Jessica Biel, Tom Dreesen, The Black Keys
Dec 7, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Jessica Biel, comedian Tom Dreesen, and musical guest The Black Keys. Top Ten Messages Left On Rod Blagojevich's Answering Machine. There are a ton of big s
Charlize Theron, Kevin Nealon, Blitzen Trapper
Dec 8, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Charlize Theron, comedian Kevin Nealon, and musical guest Blitzen Trapper. Top Ten Signs Your Local News Team Is Drunk. Down and dirty trains that go backwa
David Duchovny, Comedian Hugh Fink, Young Jeezy
Dec 9, 2011
Dave welcomes comic Hugh Fink and musical guest Young Jeezy. Top Ten Signs You're At A Bad Mall. He went to meditate, but all David got was a big pile of horsesh**. Hugh perform
Scarlett Johansson, Julie Chen, Top Ten by the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III
Dec 12, 2011
Dave welcomes actress Scarlett Johansson, Julie Chen, host of the CBS daytime talk show "The Talk", and a Top Ten List presented by Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. Top T
Barbara Walters, Bill Hader, Wild Flag
Dec 13, 2011
Dave welcomes journalist/talk show host Barbara Walters, actor/comedian Bill Hader, and musical guest Wild Flag. Top Ten Signs the Candidates Have Debate Fatigue. Dave knows the
Robert Downey Jr., Rooney Mara
Dec 14, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Robert Downey Jr. and actress Rooney Mara. Top Ten Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Demands For Returning Our Drone. From alpacas to kitties, Robert runs down the list of
Tom Hanks, My Morning Jacket
Dec 15, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Tom Hanks and musical guest My Morning Jacket. He's brought his own mistletoe! Tom Hanks shares an intimate Christmas greeting with Dave's viewers. Don't miss
Jude Law, Bob Sarlatte, Gary Clark Jr.
Dec 16, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Jude Law, comedian Bob Sarlatte and musical guest Gary Clark Jr. Jude Law recalls the last night of a stage production when fake booze was replaced with the re
Tom Cruise, Anthony Hamilton, Top Ten by Mitt Romney
Dec 19, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Tom Cruise and musical guest Anthony Hamilton. Featuring a Top Ten List presented by former Governor Mitt Romney.
Anderson Cooper, Lindsey Vonn, Childish Gambino
Dec 22, 2011
Dave welcomes journalist/talk show host Anderson Cooper, Olympic skiing champion Lindsey Vonn, and musical guest Childish Gambino.
Jay Thomas, David Hyde Pierce, Darlene Love
Dec 23, 2011
Dave welcomes actor Jay Thomas, David Hyde Pierce and musical guest Darlene Love.