Don Giller, thank you! I was the viewer who wrote the first of the "Viewer Mail" letters that Dave used in order to fire Henry (Oct 1983). For almost 34 years, I have wished that I could see the sketch again. And here it is. Perhaps the TH-cam algorithm knew to suggest it to me because I have searched for it several times over the years. Nevertheless I am amazed and delighted to see this. Thank you, Don Giller!
In saying compilation, I really meant a best bits. but if you could only find the sailor/breakdown sketch, it would mean a lot, thank you for the time you spend. Cheers from Sweden.
The golden age of David letterman, were the early year at NBC studios. Late night with David letterman broke new ground, and made television history, It was also one of the coolest things about New York City. Iconic late night TV, comedy comfort food in tough times.
Oh yeah. Remember brother Theodore and Harvey pekar? The interview w nastassia kinski also classic. The CBS show devolved into the usual bland promotion fest w half wit "stars." And of course larry bud melman got his start on the NBC show.
Yeah, this is the Letterman I never really got to see as a kid. When I was staying up late to watch late-night TV, I was always waiting for Leno to get the fuck off the screen so Conan could get on and make me laugh. Letterman was alright, but never entertained my adolescent brain nearly enough. Granted, I wouldn't have enjoyed bits like this much as a kid, I wouldn't quite get the humor in them enough. That requires at least a few more years and some extra jadedness to laugh at misery. Around the time I was like 16 or so and started understanding and enjoying Seinfeld, I probably would have loved this kind of Letterman show.
Wow! A friend just turned me on to this. I am the one who wrote the letter in #10, where Dave fires the "NBC clown." Thing is, I never saw this when it was aired--someone told me my letter had been read but that was all I knew about it. Pretty awesome to see this FINALLY!
Your post here stinks of honesty! It's like when I tell the story of John Bonham threatening to throw me through a 2nd story window at a party in Chicago in 1975... but it's true. I believe you!
These vintage Dave episodes take on a new life when in categories like this..the obscure really good stuff that didn't make the anniversary shows, along with bonuses like "no edits" from the master tapes..good stuff!
So glad I grew up back then when Late night television was actually funny and original. David letterman was a staple for college students like me back in the day.
Oh these are SO good. Thanks to Don for the information in the description about Wolfgang Zilzer. Looking further, the man's life is so interesting. It would be interesting to know how their paths crossed. I love how Dave has to so often say that the skit is only a joke. And that's because of the insanely good performance of "Henry" in generating sympathy.
Poor Paul Andor! Decades after getting gunned down in the first two minutes of "Casablanca," he falls victim again and again to the ruthless whims of late night's harshest host.
I love the early days of Letterman when it was on so late and I would watch it by myself in the dark. So surreal 40 years later to be watching it again, late at night in the dark on my laptop. And still laughing. I also miss the early days because the shows were so low key.
I may have missed some, but the following are the names I heard Henry give Dave: Mr. Letterman, Mr. Hesserman, Mr. Hesstesserman, Mr. Kletterman, Mr. Metherman, Mr. Henderson, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Lubbock, and Mr. Tattern.
So here is a segment whose main goal is to make the audience boo Dave after he behaves like a jerk. I think not many talk show hosts would agree to do that...
Thanks for posting this. The old Late Night with David Letterman is a treasure. I was familiar with Dave firing writer Gerard Mulligan, somehow I'd never seen these firings of poor Henry. It's funnier when it's an old man so close to getting his full pensions. Thanks!!
Same here. The Mulligan firings were the tops I thought. Henry didn't catch the duplicates again! FYI Don Giller put this out on Mr. Mulligan: th-cam.com/video/zh1EWgrPqx8/w-d-xo.html
I used to be a huge fan of the show. When I was a teen, I won four tickets to the show. My friend was holding the tickets, but when we got off the train she lost the tickets. I was devastated. But we’re still friends to this day. :)
It wasn't your friend's fault ...and to make up for it after all these years ...I think the person really responsible should be fired. Henry, can you come in here for a moment?
This video proves that viewer mail night was always the best night on Letterman. it was always the Friday show and I remember as a kid staying up to see Letterman and the great sketches he'd come up with for the mail.
The Friday shows began in mid-1987. Before that, the show’s schedule was Monday to Thursday, with an occasional Friday show during the first two years. During the 1982-mid-‘87 M-Th schedule, on Fridays NBC aired, first, SCTV, then Friday Night Videos. After the LN schedule change, FNV aired immediately after LN. When the Tuesday-Friday schedule began, Mondays were repeats.
Don Giller Thanks for the information! I must have discovered LN after the 87 period. I do remember his anniversary specials were prime time. There was actually a Pee Wee car gag (hes in a car with Dave, looks at the back projection and says the car behind them is tailgating on their butts) in one of the anniversary specials I've never been able to find online.
So funny how in the "Will to live" segment (37:00 - 42:00) Henry he calls Dave Mr Hesserman, Clearadin, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Henderson, Mr. Toppin, Mr. Lodic, and then Dave calls him Harry near the end - Great stuff man I miss the old Dave!
Some of the funniest $hit ever. I remember my Father and I watching Dave when it originally aired and we laughed as hard as I did by myself, thinking about Dad tnite
Thank you Don!!! After more than 30 yrs. I am able to see Dave fire poor old Henry again. I told my 21yr. old son about this bit and as we were watching we were dying. Very funny stuff. I love watching Dave in his early years. You made (and my son's) day. Already subscribed of course. Keep up the good work. Again thanks.
I'm a HUGE fan of the old Letterman show. I have a clip-collection to prove it (all moved to hard disk - not on TH-cam yet). I don't remember the Henry character at all!
That segment was so funny & brilliant. Firing the poor elderly man was heartless, but hysterical. Of course we all knew it was a joke, but pulled off beautifully by Henry & Dave. Miss those golden days of talk show comedy.
I remember, as a nine-year-old, watching one of these "you're fired" segments from 1983, and being absolutely mortified that someone would actually be fired on a television program. Wasn't too bright back then.
Don Giller: Do you remember a bit Dave did where he was talking to Paul about what he'd done over the weekend, and the camera cut to a pre-taped segment of Dave stealing gasoline from a van using a siphon? I can't find mention of this bit anywhere.
The closest I could find that matched your description was the Tri-State Special that aired on October 26, 1985. Dave was going through his scrapbook and flashed back to catching him siphon gas from a car in front of the van his crew was driving.
They never stopped being so. You've just become an old unfunny snowflake who doesn't want anyone making fun of idiots who voted for a criminal POTUS twice.
You even got Henry's cameo in "Dress Cool" - no stone unturned - love it! BTW 50:44 - that guitar player/singer ... though nothing on IMDB - I swear that must be Bob Odenkirk - and if you look closely - the slight double chin / and how he moves his mouth. He would be in his early 20s - timing would be right. Great job as always Don!
@@dongiller Gosh. The initial clothes and look threw me - and I thought they were different individuals --- but then the clothes changed and I recognized everyone. DOH! Alright - Will then is Bob's doppelganger. Chuckle. Cheers!
17:17 Hi Don, do you have Letterman's catchphrases for the 1990's? We taped it that night, but long since taped over it. They included: "Now THIS is a shoe." "Dem bats is smart; they use RADAR" "I'm a sweet little cupcake... BAKED BY THE DEVIL!!" "Ham? Ham??? Ham..." Thank you for keeping these memories alive!
@@dongiller I do sometimes, but on my mobile the descriptions are not as obvious as they used to be. There's two ads and other TH-cam nonsense that means the description is a few words until I remember to expand the text. Don't feel bad. I do appreciate your extra research - I just missed it this time.
It’s interesting how uncomfortable Letterman seems when the he fires Henry and the audience boos him. It’s a skit but he seems to genuinely dislike having to even pretend to be cruel to Henry.
Don Giller, thank you! I was the viewer who wrote the first of the "Viewer Mail" letters that Dave used in order to fire Henry (Oct 1983). For almost 34 years, I have wished that I could see the sketch again. And here it is. Perhaps the TH-cam algorithm knew to suggest it to me because I have searched for it several times over the years. Nevertheless I am amazed and delighted to see this. Thank you, Don Giller!
That's wonderful. You're one of the reasons I'm doing this.
Don Giller
thank you Don !
Thank you for this. If you could make an Alan Kalter compilation I'd be very grateful. specially his sailor suit breakdown sketch. Much obliged.
An Alan Kalter compilation would take months to put together. Not that much a priority.
In saying compilation, I really meant a best bits. but if you could only find the sailor/breakdown sketch, it would mean a lot, thank you for the time you spend. Cheers from Sweden.
The heartless firing of a sad old man never gets old.
Hisssssssssss
@@75patrickfoley they tried it with a sad old woman.. It failed miserably
@@greenrolaids k
... The man, on the other hand....
It was perfect. The young muscle guy does one side. The old man does the other. Love the details.
The golden age of David letterman, were the early year at NBC studios. Late night with David letterman broke new ground, and made television history, It was also one of the coolest things about New York City. Iconic late night TV, comedy comfort food in tough times.
Letterman's show was so much better in the earlier days.
it was sooo good in the mid 90s though
Oh yeah. Remember brother Theodore and Harvey pekar?
The interview w nastassia kinski also classic.
The CBS show devolved into the usual bland promotion fest w half wit "stars."
And of course larry bud melman got his start on the NBC show.
from 1986 to mid '93 was Dave's Hall of Fame run. I can barely watch the CBS show. It seemed to be everything that the NBC show was making fun off.
He played to a younger, hipper crowd in the early 80’s.
Yeah, this is the Letterman I never really got to see as a kid. When I was staying up late to watch late-night TV, I was always waiting for Leno to get the fuck off the screen so Conan could get on and make me laugh. Letterman was alright, but never entertained my adolescent brain nearly enough.
Granted, I wouldn't have enjoyed bits like this much as a kid, I wouldn't quite get the humor in them enough. That requires at least a few more years and some extra jadedness to laugh at misery. Around the time I was like 16 or so and started understanding and enjoying Seinfeld, I probably would have loved this kind of Letterman show.
Wow! A friend just turned me on to this. I am the one who wrote the letter in #10, where Dave fires the "NBC clown." Thing is, I never saw this when it was aired--someone told me my letter had been read but that was all I knew about it. Pretty awesome to see this FINALLY!
Your post here stinks of honesty! It's like when I tell the story of John Bonham threatening to throw me through a 2nd story window at a party in Chicago in 1975... but it's true. I believe you!
Marshall Gooch That’s so cool, glad you finally got to see it!
That's gotta be cool to be part of that history. Back before Seattle went crazy. :)
What an unbelievably believable comment and thank you for sharing!
I had forgotten all about Henry. Oh, the silliness and hijinks of the olden days. Good stuff.
These vintage Dave episodes take on a new life when in categories like this..the obscure really good stuff that didn't make the anniversary shows, along with bonuses like "no edits" from the master tapes..good stuff!
"They pelted us with rocks and garbage" caught on with my friends we were saying that for years.
It's a good gag, but too reminiscent of the way my school actually was!
So glad I grew up back then when Late night television was actually funny and original. David letterman was a staple for college students like me back in the day.
Have a good weekend, Flunky!
Oh these are SO good. Thanks to Don for the information in the description about Wolfgang Zilzer. Looking further, the man's life is so interesting. It would be interesting to know how their paths crossed. I love how Dave has to so often say that the skit is only a joke. And that's because of the insanely good performance of "Henry" in generating sympathy.
This is so classic! I had forgotten all about "Henry" and his repeated firings.
Another reminder of just how great Letterman was back in those early years!
Poor Paul Andor! Decades after getting gunned down in the first two minutes of "Casablanca," he falls victim again and again to the ruthless whims of late night's harshest host.
Bill Slocum Thanks a billion for placing the actor. I knew I recognized the voice. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Zilzer
@@acarnold sadly the end of his life mirrored these skits
Thank you, Don. You are making the world a better place.
Wow,, the man's first imdb credit is from 1915 !!
Thank you I watched the whole thing. I remembered a lot of these bits. They pelted us with rocks and garbage.
Don Giller, you are performing a great service to humanity by making these complications. Wow.
Thanks!!
Compilations*
Don Giller, you gave the perfect ending to this collection! How great to see Henry’s scene from the great Casablanca!
I love the early days of Letterman when it was on so late and I would watch it by myself in the dark. So surreal 40 years later to be watching it again, late at night in the dark on my laptop. And still laughing. I also miss the early days because the shows were so low key.
I may have missed some, but the following are the names I heard Henry give Dave: Mr. Letterman, Mr. Hesserman, Mr. Hesstesserman, Mr. Kletterman, Mr. Metherman, Mr. Henderson, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Lubbock, and Mr. Tattern.
Oh man...these are great! Brings me back... I have a new channel to binge on!
This whole conceit of this bit is: let's get the audience to boo Dave. It's inconceivable to happen now.
Don Giller , you are the best!!! Greatings from Amsterdam. Thanks for uploading this, its like a timemachine going into the right direction.
I don't care what anyone says "Too much Liquid" was GOLD.
So here is a segment whose main goal is to make the audience boo Dave after he behaves like a jerk. I think not many talk show hosts would agree to do that...
Only Carson. These two were the best ever
No wonder he got along with Andy Kaufman
Dave's a beast
Thanks for this! Those were the days....
Thanks, Mr. Giller; considering I, never, have seen any of these, I think I'll enjoy it.
one of my favorite bits. completely twisted!
Thanks for posting this. The old Late Night with David Letterman is a treasure. I was familiar with Dave firing writer Gerard Mulligan, somehow I'd never seen these firings of poor Henry. It's funnier when it's an old man so close to getting his full pensions. Thanks!!
Same here. The Mulligan firings were the tops I thought. Henry didn't catch the duplicates again! FYI Don Giller put this out on Mr. Mulligan:
th-cam.com/video/zh1EWgrPqx8/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the great compilation. Side note: Paul Shaffer is an underappreciated musical arranger! That Talking Heads cover had me groovin'.
That set! I mean it's just for one joke!!!
What set? That’s how automatic doors open, silly.
I love Letterman, they showed it here in the UK for a few years on ITV 3 or 4 in early 2000's. I was gutted when they stopped showing it!
I used to be a huge fan of the show. When I was a teen, I won four tickets to the show. My friend was holding the tickets, but when we got off the train she lost the tickets. I was devastated. But we’re still friends to this day. :)
Ouch!
Sad!!!
It wasn't your friend's fault ...and to make up for it after all these years ...I think the person really responsible should be fired. Henry, can you come in here for a moment?
This video proves that viewer mail night was always the best night on Letterman. it was always the Friday show and I remember as a kid staying up to see Letterman and the great sketches he'd come up with for the mail.
The Friday shows began in mid-1987. Before that, the show’s schedule was Monday to Thursday, with an occasional Friday show during the first two years. During the 1982-mid-‘87 M-Th schedule, on Fridays NBC aired, first, SCTV, then Friday Night Videos. After the LN schedule change, FNV aired immediately after LN.
When the Tuesday-Friday schedule began, Mondays were repeats.
Don Giller Thanks for the information! I must have discovered LN after the 87 period. I do remember his anniversary specials were prime time. There was actually a Pee Wee car gag (hes in a car with Dave, looks at the back projection and says the car behind them is tailgating on their butts) in one of the anniversary specials I've never been able to find online.
DeckardBR09 All of Pee-wee’s Dave appearances are here - th-cam.com/video/p66R294bDZc/w-d-xo.html
Don Giller Fantastic!! Thanks!
"Mr. Hesserman!"
''But I have one more payment on my satellite dish" would have made a good catchphrase .
I wished they would release his entire catalog on DVD, I'd love to watch it all over again.
I love how Henry calls Dave by so many different names in the limo driver sketch. Took me a minute to notice he was doing it on purpose.
Geez Don, you come up with the most esoteric collections! God I miss The Letterman Show!!!
Wow! "Henry" had quite a long distinguished acting history. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Zilzer
this never gets old!!!!!! still so funny!
Holy shit! That first bit is hilarious! Excellent stuff.
I love it when he breaks slightly and grins.
So funny how in the "Will to live" segment (37:00 - 42:00) Henry he calls Dave Mr Hesserman, Clearadin, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Henderson, Mr. Toppin, Mr. Lodic, and then Dave calls him Harry near the end - Great stuff man I miss the old Dave!
And don't forget Mr. Leaderman, his closest attempt!
Some of the funniest $hit ever. I remember my Father and I watching Dave when it originally aired and we laughed as hard as I did by myself, thinking about Dad tnite
I'd totally forgotten the running joke about how many years the show had been on the air...it became true in the end.
Thank you, Don. Great work. I followed Dave from his morning show with Edwin Neuman and his hot coffee gags.
When you realize the actor that plays Henry has been dead for 30 years.
Better Days is he retired yet?
@@sparkola - No, sadly he died a week before retirement.
Not too hard to imagine a guy in his 80s in the 1980s is no longer with us.
lincolnlobster Naaa....I’m sure he’s still getting fired somewhere
No you.
“What about my pension?”
“What about the lady who say on Pavarotti’s lap?” 😅
What a great bit. Thanks.
Dave was so creative and funny , and very often.
Just the opposite of the 'late night' talk show hosts of today
yeah, Steven Colbert is just another libtard lefty who can't shut up about politics.
@@ignorecorporatenewsthe OG post never stated any of those things lol you’re arguing with yourself
@@LetsBeHonestImAPrat ?
Good stuff.. takes me back
Thank you Don!!! After more than 30 yrs. I am able to see Dave fire poor old Henry again. I told my 21yr. old son about this bit and as we were watching we were dying. Very funny stuff. I love watching Dave in his early years. You made (and my son's) day. Already subscribed of course. Keep up the good work. Again thanks.
Thank you!
47:15 Henry is rockin the brand new at the time, Dio "Holy Diver" Shirt
Older Dave Letterman was simply fantastic.
Sitting here and watching an old man get fired over and over again, shouldn’t be as funny as this.... but it is.
I'm a HUGE fan of the old Letterman show. I have a clip-collection to prove it (all moved to hard disk - not on TH-cam yet).
I don't remember the Henry character at all!
11:13 Henry's screw up here is the highlight of the skits
That segment was so funny & brilliant. Firing the poor elderly man was heartless, but hysterical. Of course we all knew it was a joke, but pulled off beautifully by Henry & Dave. Miss those golden days of talk show comedy.
Never seen this before, David and Henry are great together.
Whoa! You've got 'Dress Cool" here?? I can't believe it!
"what do you want--wicker??" my new catchphrase for life.
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE HENRYS JOB LOL I would say " I was guy who was fired 20 times from TV"
I love that he keeps doing the bit even though he keeps getting booed.
Thanks DON!! Good clean fun from the dirtiest days of yesteryear!!!! Wheeeee
It’s the hissing that gets me, always after the boo’s. I know it’s coming but I still laugh
My favorite catch phrase:... "Waddaya want??.. Wicker??!!"
The 80s were the Glory years of letterman.
The great Wolfgang Zilzer!
I never got why people like letterman but after watching the old stuff I get it.
We still remember 'What do you want... wicker?' as well as 'They pelted us with rocks and garbage'...
When Dave was great! NBC 12:30 years....
Right, then he hosted the Oscars and was heckled with the "Oprah, Uma" thing and never took any comedy chances since then.
He's always been great
SICK!? I ALMOST DIED!!!
i don't remember this guy,but it's prettily funny, I love Dave in his early days
MAN! I miss Dave Letterman!
Very few TV gags from over 30 years ago still make me laugh as hard as Dave firing Henry.
I remember, as a nine-year-old, watching one of these "you're fired" segments from 1983, and being absolutely mortified that someone would actually be fired on a television program.
Wasn't too bright back then.
No one is too bright when they're nine.
Your crimes are forgiven.
Joe Hass I’m nine and I was able to tell it wasn’t for real.
@@yammmit: SHUT UP! nobody wants to hear the opinion of a nine-year-old.
Mark's REmarks and why is that? Besides, I didn’t state an opinion: I stated a fact.
@@yammmit: "WHY IS THAT!?
it's because you are NINE YEARS OLD!
you idiot.
Wolfgang Zilzer!
Famous German Actor, did over 70-80 movies including Casablanca.
the old david letterman was cold
The early Letterman shows we’re really funny.
Don Giller: Do you remember a bit Dave did where he was talking to Paul about what he'd done over the weekend, and the camera cut to a pre-taped segment of Dave stealing gasoline from a van using a siphon? I can't find mention of this bit anywhere.
The closest I could find that matched your description was the Tri-State Special that aired on October 26, 1985. Dave was going through his scrapbook and flashed back to catching him siphon gas from a car in front of the van his crew was driving.
Don Giller, you're killing it! I also fondly remember these bits. You should get a MacArthur grant for this.
From your lips... :)
When late night talk shows were still entertaining and funny.
They never stopped being so. You've just become an old unfunny snowflake who doesn't want anyone making fun of idiots who voted for a criminal POTUS twice.
I know I've laughed harder, I just can't remember when
Henry in drag is the best thing I've ever seen
Wow, I don't remember him or any of these bits at all!
They used to do the most ridiculous bits on Late Night. So funny.
You even got Henry's cameo in "Dress Cool" - no stone unturned - love it! BTW 50:44 - that guitar player/singer ... though nothing on IMDB - I swear that must be Bob Odenkirk - and if you look closely - the slight double chin / and how he moves his mouth. He would be in his early 20s - timing would be right. Great job as always Don!
Bass player Will Lee. And thanks!
@@dongiller Gosh. The initial clothes and look threw me - and I thought they were different individuals --- but then the clothes changed and I recognized everyone. DOH! Alright - Will then is Bob's doppelganger. Chuckle. Cheers!
Best cameo appearances since Stan Lee
Do my eyes deceive me, or is that a very young Ray Romano to the right of the double doors at 8:00 to 8:10?
"Henry" aka "Paul Andor" was Wolfgang Zilzer, who had been in *Casablanca* (1942).
Nobody reads my descriptions.
Haha seems a routine problem on TH-cam.
Didn't David name his son Henry? Maybe in honor of innocent old man he fired numerous times?
This video is awesome! Thanks for uploading it!
Ms. Tina Zee He named his son Harry after his dad.
Oh. My mistake! Thanks for the information - and again, for the video. It was quite a treat!
@@dongiller Perhaps he named Andor's character after his father.
17:17 Hi Don, do you have Letterman's catchphrases for the 1990's? We taped it that night, but long since taped over it. They included:
"Now THIS is a shoe."
"Dem bats is smart; they use RADAR"
"I'm a sweet little cupcake... BAKED BY THE DEVIL!!"
"Ham? Ham??? Ham..."
Thank you for keeping these memories alive!
May 11, 1989. I plan to put together a compilation of all of the Late Night catch phrases contests.
jurgostuff I do and do and do for you kids and this is the thanks I get!
"Nicely packed, bagboy."
"Uh-oh! We've got squirrels!" .. "That's one cranky Rottweiler." .. "More pie, Admiral?" .. "George Bush: he's tear-gassable."
I was just watching Casablanca and I instantly recognised Paul Andor as the man at the start of the movie who gets shot running from the police.
Nobody reads my descriptions.
@@dongiller I do sometimes, but on my mobile the descriptions are not as obvious as they used to be. There's two ads and other TH-cam nonsense that means the description is a few words until I remember to expand the text. Don't feel bad. I do appreciate your extra research - I just missed it this time.
It’s interesting how uncomfortable Letterman seems when the he fires Henry and the audience boos him. It’s a skit but he seems to genuinely dislike having to even pretend to be cruel to Henry.
And yet it's hilarious all the same, which is why he kept doing it.
yes. I don't think Dave ever fired anyone personally.
Nice WDSU logo from my NBC Afiliate
36:45 Why is there a lawnmower in the hallway though??
Hah! I remember this one -- I never forgot it!
this is better then canned ham
Cool, he had the Penthouse Pet of the Year on!
Hey Don! Who's the pretty blonde at 31:53 ? Seems like I see her a lot standing by that door.
That’s Candy Carell, make-up woman. Featured here: th-cam.com/video/pTPdDaJkPMM/w-d-xo.html
Geoff Nelson I was wondering that myself. What a doll she is!