Late Show with David Letterman: Season 21
Season 21 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 20.
- 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 21 Progress Shield
Lena Dunham; Max Greenfield; Brandy Clark
Jan 6, 2014
From "Girls", creator and actress Lena Dunham; from "New Girl", actor Max Greenfield; musical guest Brandy Clark.
Joel McHale; Marv Albert; Washed Out
Jan 7, 2014
From "Community", actor Joel McHale; sportscaster Marv Albert; musical guests Washed Out.
Scarlett Johansson; John Grant
Jan 8, 2014
From "Captain America: The Winter Solider", actress Scarlett Johansson; musical guest John Grant.
Anderson Cooper; Bobby Moynihan; Will Hoge
Jan 9, 2014
TV host Anderson Cooper; from "Saturday Night Live", comedian Bobby Moynihan; musical guest Will Hoge.
Mindy Kaling; Jeff Altman; Red Fang
Jan 10, 2014
From "The Mindy Project", creator and actress Mindy Kaling; stand-up comedy by Jeff Altman; musical guests Red Fang.
Bill Cosby; Sleigh Bells
Jan 13, 2014
Comedy legend Bill Cosby; musical guests Sleigh Bells.
Michael Strahan; Jennifer Nettles
Jan 14, 2014
From "LIVE with Kelly and Michael", co-host Michael Strahan; musical guest Jennifer Nettles.
Kevin Hart; Mo Rocca; The Orwells
Jan 15, 2014
Actor and comedian Kevin Hart; from "My Grandmother’s Ravioli" and "CBS Sunday Morning", journalist Mo Rocca; musical guests The Orwells.
Brian Williams; Rosanne Cash
Jan 16, 2014
New anchor Brian Williams; musical guest Rosanne Cash.
Don Cheadle; Myq Kaplan; Roadkill Ghost Choir
Jan 17, 2014
From "House of Lies", actor/producer Don Cheadle; stand-up comedy by Myq Kaplan; musical guests Roadkill Ghost Choir.
Andy Samberg; Michael B. Jordan; Ellie Goulding
Jan 21, 2014
From "Brooklyn Nine-Nine", actor and comedian Andy Samberg; from "That Awkward Moment", actor Michael B. Jordan; musical guest Ellie Goulding.
Martin Scorsese; Allison Williams; Cults
Jan 22, 2014
From "The Wolf of Wall Street", director Martin Scorsese; from "Girls", actress Allison Williams; musical guests Cults.
Rachel Maddow; Spike Jonze; No Age
Jan 23, 2014
TV host and journalist Rachel Maddow; from "Her", director and writer Spike Jonze; musical guests No Age.
Kevin Bacon; Pat McGann; Devon Avenue
Jan 24, 2014
From "The Following", actor Kevin Bacon; stand-up comedy by Pat McGann; musical guests Devon Avenue.
Louis C.K.; B.J. Ganem; Artic Monkeys
Jan 27, 2014
From "Louie", creator and comic Louis C.K.; Marine veteran B.J. Ganem; musical guests Artic Monkeys.
Eric Stonestreet; Nick Goepper; Bastille
Jan 28, 2014
From "Modern Family", actor Eric Stonestreet; freeskier Nick Goepper; musical guests Bastille.
Drew Brees; B.J. Novak; Against Me!
Jan 29, 2014
New Orleans Saints quarterback, Drew Brees; actor/author/comedian B.J. Novak; a Top Ten List presented by David Stern; musical guests Against Me!.
Dr. Phil McGraw; Danny Koker; Dum Dum Girls
Jan 30, 2014
TV host Dr. Phil McGraw; from "Counting Cars", TV personality Danny Koker; musical guests Dum Dum Girls.
Bill Murray; Eagulls
Jan 31, 2014
From "The Monuments Men", actor/comic Bill Murray; musical guests Eagulls.
James Franco, Idina Menzel, a performance by the Broadway cast of 'If/Then'
May 8, 2014
Dave Chappelle, Laura Prepon, a Top Ten List presented by Miss USA, the Orwells
Jun 10, 2014
Jeff Daniels, Norah O'Donnell, A Special Performance of 'MacArthur Park'
Jul 21, 2014
Dave welcomes actor Jeff Daniels, "CBS This Morning" co-anchor Norah O'Donnell, and a performance of the song "MacArthur Park" by an all-star ensemble.