So great to see these classic bits. Glad NBC and Letterman got along well enough to offer them in original video quality! Thanks to that guy who posted clips from his VHS tapes for years.
I’m going to end up binging all of these Letterman videos. This show got me through my swing shift job in the 80’s. I looked forward to every night after work watching Dave! Thanks for sharing all these!
David Letterman my first hero. Flunked out of Theatre watching his morning show and was permanently hooked. Loved "I'm not wearing pants" and the man on the street (or in the store or drive thru) stuff. There's nothing that even comes close to being as funny as these shows. Look forward to seeing Dave tonight on Seth for 40 yr anniversary.
So glad they're sharing these early clips. Letterman's show was so subversive in its first few years that high-school/college kids like me just ate it up.
I'm watching this the night that the channel has launched, and this particular video has way more views than all the others (the only one in the thousands of views). I hope they will continue to upload more of the funny bits from the NBC days. It's great to see this available on TH-cam.
I heard Bob Costas on some podcast a while back recounting this part of his career and his relationship with Letterman - it was really amusing. Dig it up if you can.
This is straight from Woody Allen's 'Bananas' from 1971. Howard Cossell narrated the honeymoon of Fielding Mellish and Louise Lasser's character. It was hilarious--as is this!
Bits like this are common place today, but at the time, this sort of thing had never been seen on national TV. Dave's show was like a public access cable show that somehow made it onto a major network.
Does anyone think this is funny? I grew up watching this, and still don't understand the humor. Johny Carson, on the other hand, had me on the floor night after night. Some might call this silly, which can be hilarious when the right people do it (Like Top Gear, for instance)
One of the things this show mastered was spectacles that may not be start-to-finish hilarious, but are compelling and dotted with skillful humor. Once you see the steamroller heading for the saxophone, you may not laugh out loud but you can't look away.
Either ya get it or ya dont man. It's like trying to explain Jazz. The whole point was to do the opposite of Carson... no establishment comics... all young comedy writers... it was drier, weirder, and you got the feeling anything could happen. Carson's show was a celebration of showbiz.. Lettermans show was a deconstruction of it.
His sarcasm made this so funny. Add Bob Costas to the mix and it’s legendary.
This is all I've ever wanted!! What a great day to be alive!! FINALLY DADDY'S OFFICIALLY AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET!!
So great to see these classic bits. Glad NBC and Letterman got along well enough to offer them in original video quality! Thanks to that guy who posted clips from his VHS tapes for years.
I’m going to end up binging all of these Letterman videos. This show got me through my swing shift job in the 80’s. I looked forward to every night after work watching Dave! Thanks for sharing all these!
May your Letterman Binging game be STRONG!!!
Don't Bing! Never EVER Bing!
David Letterman my first hero. Flunked out of Theatre watching his morning show and was permanently hooked. Loved "I'm not wearing pants" and the man on the street (or in the store or drive thru) stuff. There's nothing that even comes close to being as funny as these shows. Look forward to seeing Dave tonight on Seth for 40 yr anniversary.
I remember the Morning Show too! I think I was 16. I have always enjoyed Dave's sense of humor.
These elevator bits really had their ups and downs
They worked on so many levels
So glad they're sharing these early clips. Letterman's show was so subversive in its first few years that high-school/college kids like me just ate it up.
"The Golden Shaft Award". 😄
Thank you for keeping the OG aspect ratio. Much appreciated :)
I would love an official late show with david letterman sponge
Dave Letterman is the ONLY famous person with whom I’d like to have dinner. He’s the best.
I was 14 when this aired. I don't remember this one particularly, but I do remember watching David Letterman a lot back in the early 80s! Hilarious!
I'm watching this the night that the channel has launched, and this particular video has way more views than all the others (the only one in the thousands of views). I hope they will continue to upload more of the funny bits from the NBC days. It's great to see this available on TH-cam.
Probably because a clip of this was shown when Dave was a guest on Late Night a few days ago.
that’s just god given talent right there. she’s a natural.
Now THAT'S entertainment 😂🤣😂😅
This is all time classic episode. You had elevator races and Jay Leno's first appearance on Late Night.
I heard Bob Costas on some podcast a while back recounting this part of his career and his relationship with Letterman - it was really amusing. Dig it up if you can.
Such a great bit: Dave selling the absurdity, Bob Costas going whole hog, all over elevators.
This is straight from Woody Allen's 'Bananas' from 1971. Howard Cossell narrated the honeymoon of Fielding Mellish and Louise Lasser's character. It was hilarious--as is this!
Nice !!!
I've been waiting for this for almost 15 years
This is amazing
Is it weird that I was utterly riveted as Dave was reading the rules?
It's so stupid, it's so hilarious
Welcome to TH-cam David!
I subscribed, and I'm enjoying these very much. But Mr Letterman, please don't use copyright claims to remove Don Giller.
There was nothing else like this on TV at the time.
Bits like this are common place today, but at the time, this sort of thing had never been seen on national TV. Dave's show was like a public access cable show that somehow made it onto a major network.
@@mrchopsticks3 That'e exactly how I always describe it.
This what Mr T got cut for
Can't belive it hasn't been made an olympic event.
And it is funny how their numbers represented how they finished or would that be considered a conspiracy? hahaha
Costas doesn't age.
Awesome
Costas kills it
'Bill Banker' my foot...John Hodgman is time traveling, folks
Big fun!!!!
Love Bob Costas
Bob Costas started working at NBC when he was 12 years old. lol
EUREKA!!
Thanks Dave
Livingston Taylor!
Go Clara 🏅
never seen most of the 80s bits
why isn't this in the olympics?
The pitch-shifted Jane Pauley interview needs to be resurrected.
6:41 Who is the guest?
Singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor
@@BrettBorovic thanks!
@@jontheroadagain James' brother.
So was this another Merrill original where Dave made the lion's share of the money?
Wonder if her family still has the trophy?
😂
I wonder if in the future, women of a certain age will ever wear that tomato red 2 piece outfit, hosiery and orthopedic shoes again?
We found a sport Bob Costas might have possibly competed in.
Smart folks make fun of sports, dumb folks make a living playing them
Elevator races are so rigged.
Please shave of the beard mr Letterman !
Does anyone think this is funny? I grew up watching this, and still don't understand the humor. Johny Carson, on the other hand, had me on the floor night after night. Some might call this silly, which can be hilarious when the right people do it (Like Top Gear, for instance)
One of the things this show mastered was spectacles that may not be start-to-finish hilarious, but are compelling and dotted with skillful humor. Once you see the steamroller heading for the saxophone, you may not laugh out loud but you can't look away.
Either ya get it or ya dont man. It's like trying to explain Jazz. The whole point was to do the opposite of Carson... no establishment comics... all young comedy writers... it was drier, weirder, and you got the feeling anything could happen. Carson's show was a celebration of showbiz.. Lettermans show was a deconstruction of it.
Classic!