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Season guide

Late Show with David Letterman: Season 4

213 episodes Premiered Sep 2, 1996 Updated Sep 25, 2026

Late Show with David Letterman Season 4 continues the overarching saga across 213 episodes. The weeknight series features David Letterman using mature humor to appeal to his audience. The sixty-minute comedy talk show is broadcast at night on the American station CBS from the Ed Sullivan Theater. Following David Letterman's move to a new television network, the comedic talk show retains largely the same format as the

Previously on Late Show with David Letterman

Season 4 Lore Primer

Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.

  • ⚡ David Letterman hosts a weeknight talk and comedy series utilizing mature humor to appeal to his audience.
  • ⚡ The program is broadcast on the American television network CBS from the Ed Sullivan Theater.
  • ⚡ The show retains largely the same format as the previous Late Night with David Letterman following his move to a new television network.
  • ⚡ The sixty-minute comedic talk show is part of an overarching saga that spans multiple seasons and hundreds of episodes.
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Season overview

Late Show with David Letterman Season 4 continues the overarching saga across 213 episodes. The weeknight series features David Letterman using mature humor to appeal to his audience. The sixty-minute comedy talk show is broadcast at night on the American station CBS from the Ed Sullivan Theater. Following David Letterman's move to a new television network, the comedic talk show retains largely the same format as the previous Late Night with David Letterman.

Sources & verificationLate Show with David Letterman — The Movie Database (TMDB)Late Show with David Letterman (1993) - PlexLate Show with David Letterman (1993–2015) | SerialZone.czLate Night with David Letterman - WikipediaDavid Letterman – Wikipedie
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Season 4 Episodes

Episode Guide

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Season 4: Filler vs. Essential Canon

Filter episodes by narrative weight. Focus on essential mytharc and skip standalone side quests.

97%
Mytharc (6): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (207): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (0): Standalone / filler
S4·E1 Mytharc

Chuck Norris, Anthony Clark, Jewel

Sep 2, 1996

Dave gives a ham to an audience member named Bud Perchinski, who later assumes control of one of the cameras. Later, Flea (from Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Jewel Kilcher perform a

S4·E5 Core

Bill Cosby, Brian Williams, No Doubt

Sep 6, 1996

It's the unofficial Three-Year Anniversary. (The count is 90 morning shows, 1810 Late Nights, and 654 Late Shows.) Dave shows some of his favorite clips, then goes door-to-door i

S4·E23 Core

Val Kilmer, Nicole Sullivan, ZZ Top

Oct 2, 1996

It's Biff's 50th birthday, so Dave promotes his new PBS political roundtable chatfest, ""The Henderson Group."" Tonight's panelists: Biff, Dave, Paul, and ""outspoken liberal"" Pa

S4·E26 Core

Michael J. Fox, Jeanne Moreau, Ray Davies

Oct 7, 1996

1996: Dave shows a tape of Bob Dole blinking in the first presidential debate; Michael J. Fox gets a car for high school graduation (he didn't officially graduate until that Spring

S4·E29 Core

Geena Davis, Peter Gallagher, Andy Kindler

Oct 10, 1996

1996: Three audience girls are given hams; Dave shows a (supposed) clip from tonight's Vice Presidential debate; Dave and Marv Albert point out another audience member who happens

S4·E33 Core

Jon Lovitz, Ken Olin, Enrique Iglesias

Oct 23, 1996

Dave shows a poster that proves that Bob Dole's presidential campaign is doomed: ""For The Love of God, Don't Vote for Tubby."" Also, Calvert reports from the Game 1 of the Braves

S4·E35 Core

Jimmy Smits, John Leguizamo, Brian Regan

Oct 25, 1996

Dave says goodnight halfway through the show and then leaves. Paul goes to search for Dave but gets distracted playing basketball. Dave is finally found guiding planes on the run

S4·E41 Core

Mel Gibson, Christine Lahti, Joni Mitchell

Nov 4, 1996

NYC Marathon winner Giacomo Leone runs through the set, while Mel Gibson presents ""Top Ten Lines You'll Never Hear Me, Mel Gibson, Say in a Movie.""

S4·E43 Core

Brett Butler, Gary Sinise, Bob McCoy

Nov 7, 1996

During Mailbag, a viewer pleads for no more Dole jokes, so ""Bob Dole"" (Calvert) appears on stage and sings Lionel Richie's ""Say You, Say Me,"" a pop ditty which includes the imm

S4·E49 Core

Stupid Pet Tricks, Anthony Edwards, Natalie Cole

Nov 15, 1996

From Chicago: Paul meets his long-lost brother Matt Shaffer on ""Jerry Springer"" just as Dave was going to admit to being a transvestite. Also, Dave introduces ten citizens with

S4·E51 Core

Heather Locklear, Sinbad, Tony Toni Tone

Nov 19, 1996

Dave calls a desk jockey from across the street named Samantha Giafoni, asking for her opinion about Michael Jackson. After calling her, autumn leaves are dumped in her office.

S4·E53 Core

Phil Hartman, Bob Costas, Luther Vandross

Nov 21, 1996

When Dave gives a ham to an audience guy, he gives him five more when he says it's going to a senior citizens' group. Soon enough, Biff practically gives him the whole store.

S4·E54 Core

Kid Inventors, Will Smith, Jimmy Buffett

Nov 22, 1996

Friday Night on the Road finishes in Miami, Florida. It's so hot in the Coconut Grove Playhouse that Dave strips off his suit and hosts the show in his khakis and t-shirt: ""This i

S4·E55 Core

Lisa Kudrow, Delroy Lindo, Wynonna

Nov 25, 1996

A ""News in Review"" segment is translated into Chinese, while Dave accidentally cuts himself while crawling under his desk.

S4·E56 Core

Jeff Daniels, Dolly Parton

Nov 26, 1996

John Popper of Blues Traveler sits in, and later he performs with Dolly Parton.

S4·E59 Core

Teri Hatcher, Brent Spiner, Luscious Jackson

Nov 29, 1996

After Dave offers a million dollars claiming that there's no such person named Sivareddy Gotike, whose letter was read on the CBS Mailbag the week before, Sivareddy appears on the

S4·E60 Core

John Cleese, Martha Stewart, David Copperfield

Dec 9, 1996

Biff gives out hams to the audience during the second-ever appearance of ""Know Your Current Events,"" while Martha Stewart shows Dave how to make a scented wreath.

S4·E61 Mytharc

Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Gloria Estefan

Dec 10, 1996

Dave announces he's #45 on TV Guide's greatest stars list; after interviewing Nicole Kidman, Dave is dyspeptic and demands a roll of Tums®; the roof cam reveals Santa dumping a cor

S4·E62 Core

Kenneth Branaugh, Bonnie Hunt, Counting Crows

Dec 11, 1996

Dave calls the corner pay phones, but no one answers. He finally steps outside and tells anyone to pick up the phone. After some guy named Phil answers it, Dave has to scream at hi

S4·E63 Core

James Woods, Bob Odenkirk, Counting Crows

Dec 12, 1996

1996: Two merchant marines do push-ups onstage; Dave and Paul reprise the roles of their alter egos, Gator and Skunk; Leonard Tepper performs in the Late Show ""kid's nativity play

S4·E67 Core

Harry Connick Jr., Walter Cronkite

Dec 18, 1996

Mayor Giuliani shows up to put an apple on the Christmas tree, then gets in on a few pictures with Dave, Paul, and two audience members. Also, hockey great Gordie Howe calls Dave.

S4·E69 Core

Billy Crystal, Cuba Gooding Jr., Darlene Love

Dec 20, 1996

Dave hugs a male audience member; fake snow falls on the backdrop, then on the audience; Darlene Love (featuring Bette Sussman) continues her holiday tradition of singing ""Christm

S4·E74 Core

Tom Arnold, Kamarr, Joe Queenan

Dec 31, 1996

Calvert DeForest is live at Times Square as the show is taped hours earlier; Tom Arnold appears again on New Year's Eve, this time without Roseanne; Biff gets scissors from Dave to

S4·E75 Core

Alec Baldwin, Cast of Chicago

Jan 2, 1997

Dave introduces an audience member named Tara to Alec Baldwin; Dave shows a drawing of him in a 70's-era leisure suit; from the hit Broadway revival ""Chicago,"" Bebe Neuwirth and

S4·E76 Core

Courtney Cox, Lee Marek, Damon Hill

Jan 3, 1997

During CBS Mailbag, a viewer asks what Dave did for New Year's. Dave flashes back to a wild night with a bunch of fabulous babes, while Paul brings him back to earth, and Dave fla

S4·E77 Core

Kids Tell Jokes, Tracey Ullman, B.B. King

Jan 6, 1997

BB King sits in; Dave accidentally tears up the Top Ten blue card, so he reads the list via teleprompter; Tracey Ullman promotes her new HBO show, ""Tracey Takes On...""

S4·E78 Core

Ray Liotta, Norm MacDonald

Jan 7, 1997

Dave swipes Tony's gum, which he had tried to hide on top of one of the cameras. Also, Rupert of Hello Deli is pitted against Amando of Stage Deli in a little competition called "

S4·E79 Core

Woody Harrelson, Jackie Chan, John Pizzarelli

Jan 8, 1997

Dave fondly looks back at the one-year anniversary of ""El Blizzardo,"" then does a spit take with Windex®. Also, Woody Harrelson plugs hemp products and The People vs. Larry Flin

S4·E80 Core

Matt Dillon, Rebecca Ramijn, Cassandra Wilson

Jan 9, 1997

Dave sends an audience babe out to get some snow, and throughout the night the show is interrupted by a three-way snowball war between Dave, Inky and Anton.

S4·E81 Core

Eddie Murphy, Dwight Yoakam, Veronica Paridee

Jan 10, 1997

An audience member celebrating her birthday dances onstage; Inky threatens to throw a rock at Dave; Dave chats with a nine-year-old girl that delivered her baby brother in a stuck

S4·E82 Core

Kevin Spacey, Madeline Kahn, Harry Hill

Jan 13, 1997

Dave deems the show to be such a success that he announces the production of four spin-offs, ""Rupert Touches Meat,"" ""Leonard's Candid Camera,"" ""Kenny's Baywatch"" (with the st

S4·E83 Core

Penelope Ann Miller, Skeet Ulrich, BR5-49

Jan 14, 1997

It's time for another Late Show experiment: ""Who Will Get Kicked Out of TGIF's Sooner, a Shirtless Guy or a Guy with Ten Dogs?"" Answer: the shirtless guy. Later, Dave instructs

S4·E85 Core

Tom Selleck, Art Donovan, Babyface

Jan 16, 1997

Paul shows a clip of his new home video ""The Late Show Made Easy,"" while ""Know Your Cuts of Meat"" makes its debut on ""Know Your Current Events.""

S4·E86 Core

Kevin Kline, Kevin Sorbo, Kevin Brennan

Jan 17, 1997

It's an ""All Kevin Spectacular"" as Kevin Kline, Kevin Sorbo, and Kevin Brennan guest on the show. The closing credits on the show include all staffers named Kevin (Kevin Burnett,

S4·E87 Core

David Schwimmer, Carmen Electra, Sheryl Crow

Jan 27, 1997

Alan interrupts the monologue to comment on yesterday's Packers-Patriots Super Bowl; an audience member receives Dave's autograph; Calvert reports from New Orleans, where football

S4·E88 Core

Tony Danza, Desmond Howard, Helena Bonham Carter

Jan 28, 1997

Biff presides over another segment of ""What They Would Have Had for Lunch If They Were Still Alive."" Tonight, Lorne Greene: ""a BLT."" Also, Tony Williams sits in on drums, while

S4·E90 Core

Matthew Perry, Natasha Lyonne, Jewel

Jan 30, 1997

Dave shows a promo of ""Rupert Jee's Private Parts,"" a spoof of the upcoming Howard Stern movie. Amongst those who participate in this parody are Rupert, Leonard, and ""Paul Shaf

S4·E95 Core

Pierce Brosnan, Lance Alstodt, Brian Regan

Feb 6, 1997

Know Your Current Events: Dave promises an audience participant named Brian (who Dave keeps calling ""Larry"") that if he can kick a field goal outside, he can sit onstage. Brian h

S4·E96 Core

Brett Favre, David Spade, Silverchair

Feb 7, 1997

Mailbag: Paul appears in a commercial for ""Uncle Dave's Non-Alcoholic Gin."" Also, Dave and Green Bay Packers QB Brett Farve throw footballs into cabs, and David Spade promotes h

S4·E97 Core

Stupid Pet Tricks, Brett Butler, Fugees

Feb 10, 1997

In a remote featuring Dave talking to various fan club presidents, a swordfight breaks out between the ""Cats"" and ""Star Wars"" fans. Also, Bob Borden professes his love to a di

S4·E98 Core

Sarah Jessica Parker, Geoffrey Rush, Barry Manilow

Feb 11, 1997

Dave ponders another one of his deep thoughts: ""How Long Can a Guy Spin a Revolving Door Before Somebody Stops Him?"" It takes 40 minutes and 6 seconds before security escorts the

S4·E99 Core

Richard Harris, Siskel & Ebert, Far East Circus

Feb 12, 1997

Throughout the night, Biff, Pat and Kenny recreate scenes from Academy Award-nominated films, including ""The English Patient"" and ""Jerry McGuire."" The gag comes to an abrupt e

S4·E100 Core

Peter O'Toole, Salma Hayek, Jazz Passengers

Feb 13, 1997

Dave brags that he had an incredible Valentine's Day last year, until Paul persuades him to admit that he spent it watching TV with an amorous Leonard. Also, the Jazz Passengers (

S4·E101 Core

Sarah Ferguson, Allan Weimerskirch, Patti Smith

Feb 14, 1997

Marv Albert is credited with six seperate appearances tonight, thus raising his total on the show to an even one hundred. Later, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, promotes her

S4·E102 Core

Tom Brokaw, Laura Linney, BLACKstreet

Feb 17, 1997

Two weeks before, NBC denied Dave permission to use clips from his old show. So tonight, Tom Brokaw arrives and offers Dave a crumpled-up videotape from Late Night with David Lette

S4·E103 Core

Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Jeff Gordon

Feb 18, 1997

The outside cam goes to Joe G's to launch production of the quickie movie ""Space Volcano""; Bruce Willis murders Mujibur and Sirajul; Demi Moore shows up with 15 dogs as a gift fo

S4·E104 Core

Michael J. Fox, Jon Voight, The Wallflowers

Feb 19, 1997

Throughout the night, various civilians tell jokes about their jobs, while Dave admits that he has fallen in love with this year's Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

S4·E106 Core

Tony Randall, Juliette Binoche, David Brenner

Feb 21, 1997

Frequent CBS Mailbag contributor Jerry Scales appears in the audience and is given a roast chicken made of Nyquil. Also, Tony Randall talks about becoming a parent for the first t

S4·E107 Core

Bill Cosby, David Hacker, Tina Turner

Feb 24, 1997

On the three-year anniversary of his memorable first appearance on the Late Show, super-bowler Dick Weber rolls one strike after another out on 53rd Street. Later, he and Bill Cos

S4·E109 Core

Howard Stern, Valeria Mazza, Porno for Pyros

Feb 26, 1997

Leonard Tepper is live at Madison Square Garden, annoying participants at this year's Grammy Awards. He closes the segment by calling Dave a jackass.

S4·E110 Core

Pauly Shore, Merrill Markoe, Celine Dion

Feb 27, 1997

Dave shows outtakes of Leonard's Grammy report, and then gets thrown out of a taping of ""Wheel of Fortune"" by a security guard resembling Bill DeLace.

S4·E112 Core

Jon Stewart, Debi Mazar, Duncan Sheik

Mar 3, 1997

Dave comments on ""El Blizzardo Diablo,"" a raining snowstorm that practically has New York City in a standstill. Also, Dave and Paul participate in a cutthroat battle of putdowns

S4·E113 Core

Robin Quivers, Adam Arkin, James

Mar 4, 1997

Dave points out that the wet snow of yesterday's ""El Blizzardo Diablo"" has already melted and/or evaporated. Also, Adam Arkin promotes the upcoming made-for-TV movie Not In This

S4·E114 Core

Chevy Chase, Mary McCormack, Phish

Mar 5, 1997

During ""Rejected Commercial Characters,"" jokes are translated for a select audience onstage from English to Japanese.

S4·E115 Core

Kids Tell Jokes, Mary Steenburgen, Ray Wold

Mar 6, 1997

Bluesman Keb' Mo sits in; Dave and Paul shill a new sleeping enhancer called EclipseQuil; ""pyrotechnic madman"" Ray Wold blows up stuff and somehow avoids burning himself.

S4·E116 Core

Ted Danson, Famke Janssen, Mitch Hedburg

Mar 7, 1997

CBS Mailbag: Jerry Scales asks, ""What do viewers miss?"" Gerard Mulligan comes out in costume as ""A 50-year-old guy dressed like Zorro."" Also, The Biff Henderson Players present

S4·E118 Core

Martin Short, Larenz Tate, Kodo

Mar 18, 1997

The camera fixates on a guy in the audience with a gigantic gut with DAVE written on it. Also, Martin Short does another musical number, with a final note so extended that he leav

S4·E120 Core

Mike Myers, Sophie Marceau, Alison Krauss

Mar 25, 1997

Today's burning question: ""How Many Guys in Bunny Suits Can Get into a Coffee Shop?"" All 23 guys that volunteered get in, and they are later joined by a geeky audience member fro

S4·E122 Core

Teri Garr, George Stephanopolous, Amanda Marshall

Mar 27, 1997

Dave announces that today is Tony Mendez' 60th birthday, even though he's only 52; Dave orders Anton to fetch him some coffee; a man-on-the-street segment dissects tonight's ""Top

S4·E123 Core

Marilu Henner, Marlon Wayans, The Cardigans

Mar 28, 1997

Mailbag: Alan has an announcer sitting in with him, only to realize he's not his intern but his willing replacement. Meanwhile, Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton (live via s

S4·E124 Core

Bryant Gumbel, Kadeem Hardison, Bandbaz Brothers

Mar 31, 1997

Songwriter Jimmy Webb sits in, and throughout the night the band plays his songs; Dave shows a tape of Rob Burnett's daughter being scared to death by Daddy as the Easter Bunny; Da

S4·E125 Core

Tara Lipinsky, Margaret Colin, Nanci Griffith

Apr 1, 1997

Dave calls a pay phone on Broadway, and then calls in a guy from Jersey named Rocky to tell the first ""Mets suck"" joke of the season. Also, Biff gives a pep talk to some grade-s

S4·E126 Core

Dan Akroyd, David Kruithoff, Cyndi Lauper

Apr 2, 1997

A man claiming to be Paul's brother Kenny sits in the audience, while amateur dentist David Kriuthoff fidgets with a special camera that can go inside the mouth.

S4·E127 Core

Jean-Claude Van Damme, Brad Garrett, Chris Fonseca

Apr 3, 1997

""Colin Dunner"" (Gerard), the lead dancer in the Broadway hit ""Riverdance"" promotes his new videotape ""Riverdancin' to the Oldies."" Also, Will Lee demonstrates how to play a

S4·E128 Core

John Cusak, Liv Tyler, David Bowie

Apr 4, 1997

Mailbag: a man on the street is decapitated by a giant, renegade blue card. Also, Pat Farmer introduces his new segment ""Live Action Editorial Cartoon."" Tonight's piece: ""Busti

S4·E129 Core

Anthony Clark, Joan Lunden, Eryka Badu

Apr 7, 1997

Dave says he's discovered he's been combing his hair wrong, so he fidgets with it throughout the show. Also, Zahshu, the ""World's Only Performing Hippo,"" rolls over and begs.

S4·E130 Core

Norm MacDonald, Justine Bateman, Trace Adkins

Apr 8, 1997

""How Many Guys in a Bunny Suit Can Get Into H&R Block?"" Only two, until both are kicked out. Right after the first commercial break, Biff then tries to get in wearing a dog suit

S4·E131 Core

Charles Grodin, David Alan Grier, Matthew Sweet

Apr 9, 1997

In a running gag that was started two nights before (in homage to something that appeared occasionally on Late Night), Zahshu, ""The World's Only Performing Goldfish,"" develops a

S4·E133 Core

Kelsey Grammar, Jake Johannsen, Tracy Chapman

Apr 11, 1997

Champion weightlifter Magnus Vermagnusson lifts various objects, including Mujibur and Sirajul; Dave comments on his upcoming 50th birthday; Zhushi ""The World's Only Performing Do

S4·E134 Core

Martin Mull, Alicia Witt, Mary J. Blige

Apr 21, 1997

Marv Albert interviews accountants, then shows a blooper real along side it; Dave notices that Tony is holding cue cards with gloves on; ""Pat Farmer's Live-Action Political Cartoo

S4·E135 Core

Katie Couric, Roma Downey, INXS

Apr 22, 1997

Dave finds a patron named Bob Reedy, in Joe G's Pizza to star in another fake film epic, the Anaconda spoof ""Snakequest 2000."" Quote Dave: ""For the love of god, it's a giant sna

S4·E136 Core

Tony Randall, Steven Weber, Wilco

Apr 23, 1997

Allen Toussant sits in; Dave announces that in honor of the recent media hoopla over Ellen DeGeneres, the Late Show will now be ""more gay""; Wilco performs ""Someone Else's Song."

S4·E137 Core

Lisa Kudrow, Umberto Buccigrossi, Verve Pipe

Apr 24, 1997

Biff announces that if Lyndon Johnson were alive today, he would've had a roast beef sandwich for lunch. Also, The Verve Pipe performs ""The Freshman.""

S4·E138 Core

Stupid Human Tricks, Rosie Perez, John Hiatt

Apr 25, 1997

On a special Indianapolis-themed night on the Late Show, Dorothy interrupts a comedy bit to give Dave a hug, while Reggie Miller presents the Top Ten.

S4·E139 Core

Kurt Russell, Sinbad, Paula Cole

Apr 28, 1997

Rupert Jee drops by to make an important announcement: ""America, I am a lesbian."" This inspires Regis to walk over and give him a hug.

S4·E140 Core

Robin Williams, Tanya Tucker

Apr 29, 1997

Dave shows a clip from the latest Charlie Brown Special: Charlie Brown declares, ""I think I'm a lesbian."" Also, two dorky audience members help wash a cab outside the theater, t

S4·E141 Core

Alec Baldwin, Joey Lauren Adams, Indigo Girls

Apr 30, 1997

It's ""Awards Night"" on the Late Show, as throughout the night Biff presents Gordie Howe with the Stanley Cup, Walter Payton with the Super Bowl Trophy, Bobby Allison with the Har

S4·E143 Core

Roseanne, Justin Miller, Chuck Berry

May 2, 1997

In honor of tonight's audience (all residents of St. Louis and its suburbs), the backdrop is altered to show the city's skyline; Dave shows live footage of the Mets/Cardinals game

S4·E144 Core

Bruce Willis, Elizabeth Hurley, Maxwell

May 5, 1997

Dave dumps the show early yet again, and after searching high and low in Manhattan, Biff finally finds him demonstrating knife tricks at Benihana's.

S4·E145 Core

John Goodman, Kathleen Quinlan, Hanson

May 6, 1997

""How Many Guys in Bunny Suits Can Get into a Fountain?"" Only about six, as the men in costume are thrown out of Central Park by the NYPD. After the first commercial break, John G

S4·E146 Core

Mike Myers, Danny Aiello, Crossbows of Death

May 7, 1997

Tony Mendez does the Watusi; Biff announces that if Burt Lancaster were alive today, he would've had cream of mushroom soup and a tuna fish sandwich for lunch; stuntmen Ross and El

S4·E147 Core

Billy Crystal, Kristen Johnson, Bee Gees

May 8, 1997

Rupert stars in a parody of those financial-success tapes that they sell in infomercials, while Kirsten Johnston promotes the 3-D season finale of Third Rock from the Sun.

S4·E148 Core

Ricki Lake, Kirby Puckett, Soul Asylum

May 9, 1997

With tonight's audience being from the Twin Cities, Dave makes them feel at home by having a faux snow fall in the theater. Also, the Top Ten home office is temporarily relocated

S4·E149 Core

Cybil Shepard, Darrell Hammond, Linda Eder

May 12, 1997

Tonight, Dave promises to show things that have never been on television before, including Marv Albert dancing with a giant squirrel, a gay man kissing a lesbian, and Biff playing

S4·E150 Core

Andy Garcia, George Foreman, Travis Tritt

May 13, 1997

Dancers from Riverdance make a return appearance on the show. Actually, they're staff writers Gerard Mulligan and Eric Kaplan, Leonard Tepper, and financial wiz/Dave buddy Jim Pete

S4·E151 Core

David Hyde Pierce, Dana Delany, Spice Girls

May 14, 1997

In honor of Late Show's 800th episode, Dave introduces ""Where Are They Now?"" pieces describing the whereabouts of Bernie Kopell, Howie Mandel, Olivia Newton-John, and Bill Clinto

S4·E152 Core

Helen Hunt, Susie Maroney, Jeffery Tambor

May 15, 1997

Late Show airs its second and last installment of Peanuts, as Lucy once again foils Charlie Brown's attempt to kick a football: ""Never mess around with a gangsta bitch.""

S4·E153 Core

Stupid Pet Tricks, Jeff Goldblum, Foo Fighters

May 16, 1997

With tonight's audience representing Denver, Colorado, Dave interrupts the monologue to introduce an audience guy who ends up proposing to his girlfriend. Later in the show, Jeff

S4·E154 Core

Meg Ryan, Lance Henriksen, Mary Chapin-Carpenter

May 19, 1997

Biff brings out a Billy goat that supposedly won the Kentucky Derby last weekend; Dave leaves the show to play for the New York Yankees, then goes on a half-hearted tirade when he'

S4·E159 Core

Elle MacPherson, Vince Vaughn, Jewel

Jun 2, 1997

Remote on the 14th Floor: Late Show staffers Eric Stangel, Matt Roberts, Bob Borden, Rodney Munoz, Christian Breheney, and Eric Kaplan relate their Prom Nightmares while eating in

S4·E160 Core

Michael Richards, Rick Reynolds, Steve Winwood

Jun 3, 1997

Customer Bob Barrett from Joe's Pizza is invited into the theater to act in the monster movie spectacular ""Ghost Dinosaur '97,"" co-starring Mujibur and Sirajul as ""Dinosaur #1""

S4·E163 Core

Farrah Fawcett, John Fogerty

Jun 6, 1997

Promoting an upcoming TV special, Farrah Fawcett walks out in a boozy daze, complimenting Dave for the view of the skyline when it's really a backdrop, then crawls around and makes

S4·E164 Core

Harrison Ford, Steven Wright, Dave Matthews Band

Jun 9, 1997

Biff reports from the NBA Finals in Salt Lake City; Dave makes his usual joke about buying his first car at Harrison Ford in Indiana; Dave Matthews Band performs ""Too Much.""

S4·E166 Core

Jon Stewart, Susan Molinari, Seven Mary Three

Jun 11, 1997

Dave turns the hose on pedestrians outside the theater; Jaleel ""Urkel"" White helps ""Les Moonves"" promote CBS' fall lineup; Seven Mary Three performs ""Lucky.""

S4·E167 Core

Tom Brokaw, Janeane Garafolo, Sheryl Crow

Jun 12, 1997

Tom Brokaw explains why he turned down an offer to leave NBC for CNN: ""Same as you with CBS: more money, smaller audience."" Also, Sheryl Crow performs ""A Change (Will Do You Go

S4·E168 Core

John Travolta, Grant Hill, Sinead O'Connor

Jun 13, 1997

Mailbag: ""Farrah Fawcett"" (Calvert) explains her behavior from last week. Also, Kenny ""The Quick-Witted Stagehand"" Sheehan makes his 1000th TV appearance, which is followed by

S4·E169 Core

George Carlin, Nick Chinlund, James Taylor

Jun 16, 1997

Paul is introduced as ""Radu,"" then shows Dave a Happy Meal toy that looks just like him. Also, Dave hides in an apartment, harassing delivery people as they come and go.

S4·E172 Core

Julia Roberts, Jon Bon Jovi

Jun 19, 1997

Julia Roberts is treated to a clip of her first appearance on Letterman from 1990, only to watch the clip blackened out by NBC. Also, Jon Bon Jovi performs ""Janie, Don't Take You

S4·E173 Core

Siskel & Ebert, Dermot Mulroney, King Charles Troupe

Jun 20, 1997

""Riverdancers"" Gerry Mulligan, Mike McIntee, Eric Kaplan, and Jim Peterson amaze and delight the studio audience and the home viewers in response to a letter in the CBS Mailbag.

S4·E174 Core

Marilu Henner, Doug E. Doug, Johnny Lang

Jun 23, 1997

Anton is introduced as ""Anton Zip""; Dave shows the audience a chart of who's permitted to be on the show and who isn't; in tonight's remote, Dave goes to a private school in Manh

S4·E175 Core

Nick Turturro, Daisy Fuentes, Motley Crue

Jun 24, 1997

The outside cam heads to Joe G's looking for a guy to write a theme song for, where they stumble across Brian and his girlfriend. Also, Dave takes the audience outside to watch Mo

S4·E178 Core

Martin Lawrence, Robert Zemeckis, Sarah McLachlan

Jun 27, 1997

Dave declares a guy named Jeff as ""Captain of the Audience,"" helping the host out with menial tasks such as helping present the Top Ten and keeping the audience awake. Also, fil

S4·E179 Core

Will Smith, Heidi Klum, Brad Byers

Jun 30, 1997

Bowling great Dick Weber sits in with the band; Calvert kicks someone in the nether regions for the shear fun of it; Dave and Paul trade faces.

S4·E180 Core

Jason Priestly, Patricia Richardson, The Cicadas

Jul 1, 1997

Dave gets two girls at a nearby cafe to help celebrate Canada Day with Canada Dry®, which gets delivered by a Mountie; to continue a running gag started the previous night, bowler

S4·E181 Core

Tom Arnold, Mitchell Libonati, Blur

Jul 2, 1997

During the ""Supermarket Finds"" segment, Dave takes a sample of something called ""White Fungus"" and spits it out; another bowling great (Marshall Holman) sits in with the band o

S4·E182 Core

Evander Holyfield, Lee Marek, Sarah Silverman

Jul 3, 1997

Dave talks about the a new unauthorized autobiography of Martha Stewart; tonight's guest bowler is Hall of Famer Carmen Salvino; Dave appears in a 50's-style cigarette ad; Evander

S4·E183 Core

Martin Short, Manny the Hippie, Fang Fang

Jul 4, 1997

Pro bowler Nelson Burton, Jr. sits in; during Mailbag, Tom Arnold bits his own ear off; Manny the Hippie resurfaces; for the second year in a row, Dave sends audience members from

S4·E184 Core

Don Rickles, Brendan Fraser, En Vogue

Jul 14, 1997

Dave shows off his new, shorter haircut; an audience member sings the theme song from Grease; Tim Allen presents the Top Ten.

S4·E187 Core

Nathan Lane, Robey Morgan, Third Eye Blind

Jul 17, 1997

Dave begins a month-long campaign to run into the ground his current favorite phrase: ""Something from the meat case, Linda?"" Also, Dave, Tony Randall, and a dozen or so triple-na

S4·E189 Core

Pauly Shore, Leslie Mann, Puff Daddy

Jul 21, 1997

Dave congratulates Paul on being #6 on the Forbes 500; Biff and Eric Kaplan explain how they make Dave's coffee mug levitate; Sean ""Puff Daddy"" Combs, Faith Evans, and 112 perfor

S4·E190 Core

Kids Tell Jokes, Mario Andretti, John Hiatt

Jul 22, 1997

It's time once again for ""King of the Meats,"" the mano-a-mano kosher competition between Rupert of Hello Deli and Amando Vasquez of the nearby Stage Deli. Amando sweeps the thre

S4·E191 Core

John Turturro, Kathy Kinney, Radish

Jul 23, 1997

Harrison Ford reports from Hawaii; in the debut edition of ""Pointless Celebrity Cameo Theater,"" Calvert, Regis, and Tony Randall stand around like goons while the audience cheers

S4·E192 Core

Dan Rather, Kathy Griffin, k.d. Lang

Jul 24, 1997

The Harrison Ford World Tour (in which he's promoting The Devil's Own) makes a stop in Paris, France; Dave suggests the Paul legally change his name to ""Radu""; CBS anchorman/folk

S4·E193 Core

Samuel L. Jackson, Barry Sonnenfeld

Jul 25, 1997

During ""CBS Mailbag,"" we look into a day in the life of a ""Accident-Prone Blood-Gorged Tick"" (Leonard Tepper).

S4·E194 Core

Jennifer Anniston, Brian Regan, William H. Macy

Jul 28, 1997

It's so hot outside that Biff tries to start a fire on the sidewalk with a magnifying glass and a bundle of sticks, as members from New York's Fire Department stand by; Rupert and

S4·E195 Core

Norm MacDonald, Phylicia Rashad, Jamiroquai

Jul 29, 1997

Dave gets four galpals from West Virginia to go on a tour of the city with Biff; Physilla Rashad promotes her sitcom Cosby; Jamiroquai performs the #1 hit ""Virtual Insanity.""

S4·E196 Core

Charles Grodin, Billy Connolly, David Byrne

Jul 30, 1997

Dave congratulates Rob Burnett upon the birth of his daughter; a ""What's On Other Channels"" bit is interrupted by a car honking, courtesy of Creepy Dave; David Byrne performs ""D

S4·E197 Mytharc

Julia Roberts, Blues Traveler

Jul 31, 1997

John Popper sits in with the band; Dave asks a paramedic about a piece of carrot he ""horked"" into his left lung during lunch today; Julia Roberts promotes Conspiracy Theory.

S4·E198 Core

Tony Danza, Michael Rapaport

Aug 1, 1997

Dave shows some ""Surprising Facts About Celebrities."" Later, Tony Danza promotes his new sitcom.

S4·E200 Core

Ray Liotta, David Brenner, Natalie Desselle

Aug 5, 1997

Deliberately-obvious stunt doubles pose as Dave and Paul showing off their bike skills, while Dave carves a sculpture of Paul made from butter; a man claiming to be Garth Brooks is

S4·E201 Core

Jay Thomas, Annabella Sciorra, Tonic

Aug 6, 1997

Jay Thomas shows Dave a tape of himself spitting out something during a recent television appearance. The footage is repeated several times.

S4·E202 Core

Sylvester Stallone, Tommy LaSorda

Aug 7, 1997

Joe Perry of Aerosmith sits in with the band; Biff reports from the Garth Brooks concert in Central Park and meets ""Garth"" himself (Leonard Tepper).

S4·E203 Core

Demi Moore, Jay Mohr, Aerosmith

Aug 8, 1997

The new sitcom ""The Letterman Family"" is promoted, starring Dave, Tony Randall, and Nadine Hennally. Later, Demi Moore shaves an audience member's head.

S4·E204 Core

Tom Selleck, Billy Joel

Aug 18, 1997

Dave feeds Tom Selleck some avocados. Later, they make a crank phone call to Al Roker.

S4·E206 Core

Mira Sorvino, Jeff Altman, Coolio

Aug 20, 1997

Dave compares President Clinton's 51st birthday to meatloaf. Later, he chats with his old friend Jeff Altman.

S4·E209 Core

Vanessa Williams, Joe Montana

Aug 25, 1997

Dave announces that he is starring in the ""Late Show of Passion,"" which is just like the Late Show, except that it's dubbed so it looks like a telenovela. Later, Dave and Joe Mo

S4·E211 Core

Laurence Fishburne, Jonathan Katz, Paula Cole

Aug 27, 1997

Tonight's Top Ten is interrupted by a phone call from the home office in Wahoo, Nebraska: ""It's not all that funny anymore."" Meanwhile, Biff wreaks havoc in Martha's Vineyard.

S4·E213 Mytharc

Stupid Human Tricks, Danny Aiello, Radiohead

Aug 29, 1997

Warren is run over by a car; during ""Stupid Human Tricks,"" Douglas Pierce plays the ""Jeopardy"" theme on his hands; Dave bids a fond farewell to head writer Bill Scheft.

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