Dave is just stripping down all the conventions of TV here. It's so simple, yet no one had the guts or the confidence to do it. That's why these early shows were must-see. You never knew what was going to happen. Thanks for posting this.
This is it, right here. It was refreshing, new, innovative, wacky, and smart. Normalcy was thrown out. As the early Dave said, viewers really do not want to see a 90 second commercial of a movie clip when a guest comes on. What he wanted was someone to go toe to toe with him-many failed, some succeeded.
When Teri mentioned the "top secret job" that Michael Keaton was doing for Woody Allen, she was talking about The Purple Rose of Cairo. Keaton was fired after a few weeks of shooting and replaced by Jeff Daniels.
I love it too! MK was replaced bc Woody felt he came across as too modern for the film's era. Jeff Daniels ended up being perfect for the role, so to me it was for the best.
Funny seeing Dave and Paul this young and probably both two years into a five year plan of their lives and wondering what do do when this show goes out of fashion or is cancelled… looking into the camera to an audience viewing after midnight that barely existed at that point. Little knowing that they had another 32 years together! Also the real turning point in Teri Garr appearances in terms of true banter between her and Dave. First class as always.
@0:05 "most of you at home are watching on a television." *Audience bursts in laughter* This joke is especially funny now that most people watching TH-cam is NOT on a TV lulz
I like the random selection of bits and pieces but if the complete collection of entire shows in chronological order were to be released, I would actually watch the whole thing
@@TheElectricBallroom I assumed that Teri Garr died young, since we haven’t seen her in such a long time. I didn’t know about her MS. Sorry to learn that she is ill.
I think they did another one of these later. Dave had the NBC nurse co-host with him, the opening montage had images from the 1960 Sears catalog while the band played the "Bonanza" theme, while the opening intro was done I think by the then-New York state attorney general.
I haven't seen this show since it aired back in 1983 this is one of the most brilliant pieces of television ever! I really wish he would have done it again. Maybe somebody like Jimmy Kimmel will try it one day! Thanks for airing again!👍
They did this more than once. The other custom show, featuring dental chairs, the theme song from Bonanza, guest voices ran through a helium effect, etc., was equally as funny.
Let's not forget that they used a small cannon to shoot tennis balls at the studio doors of "Live at Five", a local New York news show at the time which was usually broadcasting around the same time Dave was taping this show. It seemed like he often made jokes about that show for some reason.
One of the most classic Late Night shows ever. However the thing that always bothered me is Dave should have revealed all the options before the audience voted on the options. Otherwise folks are voting on A/B without knowing what B/C is. Without knowing the options ahead of time, the audience basically always chose the last option.
That sweet man doing the bear-costume (around 24:00 min in), giving 1,000%…..it was just wonderful!! What an awesome heart!! It’s like Winnie the Poo personified and costumed.
I always loved Teri Gar but after watching her on letterman she's the best. She is always so funny I hate to see what MS has done to her I bet she's still as smart and as great as ever.
I don't think I've ever seen the stunning Miss Garr look as unbelievably ravishing as she did on this particular Letterman appearance. Such a terrible tragedy how she ended up.😥
37:20 Teri Garr's story about the South Bronx was an actual thing that was not as funny as it seemed in this show. To Dave's credit, he did try to indicate that it wasn't completely crazy. The buildings that got the full window seal ups complete with decorative decals got more complete protection from the elements and more security against squatters entering the property. That made it safer overall for the neighborhood, and more likely that the property could be renovated in the future. Other empty abandoned properties received a few sheets of tin nailed up on fire escape windows only. These buildings were almost completely consumed by the elements and were difficult to renovate. Just more demolition. So just goes to show, not everything government tries is always a joke. No doubt the Bronx went through some tough times in the 1980s. The jokes just made things tougher. Oh well.
@@ilovetati91It was about sealing empty buildings from the elements so that the structures remained viable and more likely to be renovated and reopened for the existing residents. If an abandoned building is not carefully sealed, it becomes a crime risk and more likely to be demolished. Not really about gentrification.
I remember watching this series in first-run. It was amazing television, and Dave seemed genuinely humble and nice. We couldn't get enough. Within a few years, his perpetual annoyance and irritation began to show through, followed by constant anger and eventually pure rage. It makes me sad to watch this now, knowing what a wreck of human being he was about to become.
I think his annoyance was with NBC and GE and how they were doing things,and perhaps it was also some things Dave probably wanted done,but they refused to do it.
@@petermoore7796 Back then, the ONLY way to watch the show was on a TV. So it was funny that he said "most of you", as if some people were watching it in some other way.
Classic Late Night episode! My only request: please leave in the bits before and after commercial breaks. We need to hear that band (and see the clever Late Night graphics too)! Side note: was Ruth Westheimer really the best we had in sex counseling in the 80s? Yeesh!
Dave could have balanced making fun at Trump and never losing sight that it is a comedy show. Colbert seems to have lost his sense of humor after Trump got elected.
@@a.champagne6238 - Conan O'Brien got it and I think walked that tightrope pretty well. I'm just tired of this whole "comedy as political discourse" thing - regardless of whether or not it supports my own viewpoint. I miss being funny just for the sake of being funny.
While I was a bit younger than TG, i tried to convince her and her team that a life with me would stave off the MS. I wish they had given me the chance.
Wow, an entire episode. I sure hope someday we get an entire archive of every episode online!
I'm hoping for an entire dvd collection!
Dave is just stripping down all the conventions of TV here. It's so simple, yet no one had the guts or the confidence to do it. That's why these early shows were must-see. You never knew what was going to happen. Thanks for posting this.
This is it, right here. It was refreshing, new, innovative, wacky, and smart. Normalcy was thrown out. As the early Dave said, viewers really do not want to see a 90 second commercial of a movie clip when a guest comes on. What he wanted was someone to go toe to toe with him-many failed, some succeeded.
When Teri mentioned the "top secret job" that Michael Keaton was doing for Woody Allen, she was talking about The Purple Rose of Cairo. Keaton was fired after a few weeks of shooting and replaced by Jeff Daniels.
I didnt know that..i love that film alot
I love it too! MK was replaced bc Woody felt he came across as too modern for the film's era. Jeff Daniels ended up being perfect for the role, so to me it was for the best.
Wow! Thanks!
YW! 🙂
No one would do this today. Damn it, Dave. You were and are the best. Thanks for uploading this. Larry "Bud" was a joy!
n what they would do for their guests, n Larry had to do it, he had to be the bear ,:-0
Funny seeing Dave and Paul this young and probably both two years into a five year plan of their lives and wondering what do do when this show goes out of fashion or is cancelled… looking into the camera to an audience viewing after midnight that barely existed at that point. Little knowing that they had another 32 years together! Also the real turning point in Teri Garr appearances in terms of true banter between her and Dave. First class as always.
Think about this: the all-time classic segment with Larry “Bud” Melman at the Port Authority bus terminal was *the very next night*.
I was about to say the same thing....Larry The Bear that night and the Port Authority the very next night. That is mind blowing.
Yes sir! Thanks for this. More of these please.
n we have more episodes coming thanks for asking ,:-0
I'm so damn glad yall are doing some full episodes!!
Loved seeing the old Early Letterman !
For those few of us who still have attention spans, PLEASE keep releasing full episodes!
@0:05 "most of you at home are watching on a television." *Audience bursts in laughter*
This joke is especially funny now that most people watching TH-cam is NOT on a TV lulz
I like the random selection of bits and pieces but if the complete collection of entire shows in chronological order were to be released, I would actually watch the whole thing
So would I.
Then they will sell you dvds
that is such a huge task
The Letterman show really seems to love Teri Garr... I keep seeing so many clips of her from back in the day
She was funny and beautiful. She and Dave had such amazing chemistry. Unfortunately she's very ill with MS and doesn't appear in public.
@@TheElectricBallroom I assumed that Teri Garr died young, since we haven’t seen her in such a long time. I didn’t know about her MS. Sorry to learn that she is ill.
@@kstepko She has unfortunately passed away recently, on October 29, 2024 at the age of 79.
No doubt about it, Teri Garr was Dave's all time best guest because as we all know, she is "one fabulous Babe" Plus Larry Bud in a bear suit!
I watched this when it first aired and it once again brought the audience into the joke, letterman speciality.
I think they did another one of these later. Dave had the NBC nurse co-host with him, the opening montage had images from the 1960 Sears catalog while the band played the "Bonanza" theme, while the opening intro was done I think by the then-New York state attorney general.
Jane Pauley was a guest during that show and during her interview, Her and Dave sounded like they were on helium.
Yep, that's what I was expecting. Ms Pauley did NOT seem amused at either the voice effects *or* the dentist chairs!
Truly incredible piece of broadcast history...!
There was nothing like Dave, and there won't be again.
Dave being the pioneer of some of the TH-cam trends today. lol
I haven't seen this show since it aired back in 1983 this is one of the most brilliant pieces of television ever! I really wish he would have done it again. Maybe somebody like Jimmy Kimmel will try it one day! Thanks for airing again!👍
They did this more than once. The other custom show, featuring dental chairs, the theme song from Bonanza, guest voices ran through a helium effect, etc., was equally as funny.
Ha, helium! 😂 Too funny, I need to see that!! Who were the guests on that episode? Have you seen video of it here on YT?
@@LaineyTsang The guests that night were Jane Pauley and Sandra Bernhard.
Let's not forget that they used a small cannon to shoot tennis balls at the studio doors of "Live at Five", a local New York news show at the time which was usually broadcasting around the same time Dave was taping this show. It seemed like he often made jokes about that show for some reason.
@@bluebear1985 Thanks!
An awesome rendition of Gilligan's island. Like the ventures
One of the most classic Late Night shows ever.
However the thing that always bothered me is Dave should have revealed all the options before the audience voted on the options. Otherwise folks are voting on A/B without knowing what B/C is. Without knowing the options ahead of time, the audience basically always chose the last option.
Because the last option was the funny one…
The audience were in on the joke.
Dave and Teri have a lot of chemistry. Lol
Teri Garr is one of the most beautiful women the world has ever seen.
Also charming with a great sense of humor. Basically the perfect girl.
Agreed. With a personality to match.
That sweet man doing the bear-costume (around 24:00 min in), giving 1,000%…..it was just wonderful!! What an awesome heart!! It’s like Winnie the Poo personified and costumed.
More. Complete. Early. Episodes. Thank you 🙏. Also, I love how you can blatantly see Dave and Terri flirt throughout the segment.
Genius switch? ALWAYS ON! 👍💡🕯️💰⚡💥
Teri was a serious crush for me. She was PERFECT
Way to go, Dave. 👏
I hope Barbara Gaines can get that applause meter for her show
❤️ Terri Garr.
Ground breaking in every way. TV has hardly ever been so influenced.
OMG! Tomorrow night's show is a classic-to-be! LBM heads to the PABT to greet passengers coming off buses from all over the country!
oh i hope the other Custom Made show (s?) get uploaded!!! do i recall Sandra Bernhard?
Teri Garr turns 80 this year
R.I.P.
Everyone is so thin...
Teri Garr is basically Lisa Kudrow impersonating Jennifer Aniston.
Excellent.
Rugby Shirts in the 80s. Jeez. Long Island was full of them. Those stripes, colors and thick-ass collars!
I always loved Teri Gar but after watching her on letterman she's the best. She is always so funny I hate to see what MS has done to her I bet she's still as smart and as great as ever.
R.I.P.
Isn’t Dave in love with Teri Garr?
Who isn't?
One of the most gorgeous actresses in the history of Hollywood.
Of course I'm talking about Terri not Dave just to clarify.
Oh boy, how spontaneous
_What did Dave say at __44:26__?_
it is shorter than that
some things never change, the applausometer is just a like button
I don't think I've ever seen the stunning Miss Garr look as unbelievably ravishing as she did on this particular Letterman appearance. Such a terrible tragedy how she ended up.😥
37:20 Teri Garr's story about the South Bronx was an actual thing that was not as funny as it seemed in this show. To Dave's credit, he did try to indicate that it wasn't completely crazy. The buildings that got the full window seal ups complete with decorative decals got more complete protection from the elements and more security against squatters entering the property. That made it safer overall for the neighborhood, and more likely that the property could be renovated in the future. Other empty abandoned properties received a few sheets of tin nailed up on fire escape windows only. These buildings were almost completely consumed by the elements and were difficult to renovate. Just more demolition. So just goes to show, not everything government tries is always a joke. No doubt the Bronx went through some tough times in the 1980s. The jokes just made things tougher. Oh well.
are you trying to make it sound like gentrification is a good thing lol
@@ilovetati91It was about sealing empty buildings from the elements so that the structures remained viable and more likely to be renovated and reopened for the existing residents. If an abandoned building is not carefully sealed, it becomes a crime risk and more likely to be demolished. Not really about gentrification.
I remember watching this series in first-run. It was amazing television, and Dave seemed genuinely humble and nice. We couldn't get enough. Within a few years, his perpetual annoyance and irritation began to show through, followed by constant anger and eventually pure rage. It makes me sad to watch this now, knowing what a wreck of human being he was about to become.
I think his annoyance was with NBC and GE and how they were doing things,and perhaps it was also some things Dave probably wanted done,but they refused to do it.
Dr. Ruth and Teri Garr, two of the best guests in the history of the show.
Sorry, can’t stand Dr. Root Vestheimer. Teri Garr while not a great guest is so lovely. And they never brought up Young Frankenstein…
I would watch reruns every night. Actually stay up to watch again. Instead I go to bed tv isn't worth it now.
Nowadays that first joke about "most of you watching the show on television" would get a laugh too. but for different reason.
@@petermoore7796 Back then, the ONLY way to watch the show was on a TV. So it was funny that he said "most of you", as if some people were watching it in some other way.
Studio audience? :p
@@nikobatallones Well, yeah, but Dave's actual comment begins with "most of you watching at home..."
is there a list somewhere of all the special ‘themed’ episodes like this one?
Is that Bill Wendell of “Mr. Wendell” song fame?
The great thing about Dave was you NEVER knew what he was going to do! Kind of like Howard Stern but safe for TV…
Train story at 10:54 made me laugh the most
Classic Late Night episode! My only request: please leave in the bits before and after commercial breaks. We need to hear that band (and see the clever Late Night graphics too)! Side note: was Ruth Westheimer really the best we had in sex counseling in the 80s? Yeesh!
Harold Ramis behind Dave
The Barefoot Guit Picker from NYC,
Hiram Bullock!
I hope there’s a copy of the “Summer Sunshine” show out there! One of the greatest parody episodes by anyone, ever.
th-cam.com/video/y42v7-IOOXo/w-d-xo.html
When late night comedy was about ideas, being inventive and just being funny.
Dave could have balanced making fun at Trump and never losing sight that it is a comedy show. Colbert seems to have lost his sense of humor after Trump got elected.
The only funny thing about Colbert is his right ear.
@@a.champagne6238 - Conan O'Brien got it and I think walked that tightrope pretty well. I'm just tired of this whole "comedy as political discourse" thing - regardless of whether or not it supports my own viewpoint. I miss being funny just for the sake of being funny.
@@RonMotta1972 The clip of Conan in Palestine show how well he could balance. Masterfully even.
His silly sarcastic remark about "you're probably watching this on television" turned out not to be so silly and sarcastic.
Actually Dave, I'm watching this on my phone 📱 📲 ☎️ 📞 📳 🤳 📱.
I LOLd at that first joke because little did they know what was coming.
Yeah I was thinking that As well but typed it anyway.
Teri Garr & Michael
"came together on a plane!"
Kinky!
he had a crush on her.
Who wouldn't.
While I was a bit younger than TG, i tried to convince her and her team that a life with me would stave off the MS. I wish they had given me the chance.
The German accent is weirdly appropriate for this. 😄
Without the music it's half a show. Dave wouldn't do it without Paul. Yet he won't pay to stream the music.
Bill Wendell has (had) a toupee?
Alas, Dave was not the Prophet we imagined - little did he know that the vast majority of us would be watching this on the internet tubes!
now we know what neil parick harris gonna looks like when he gets old.
👍
Weird to watch now how giggly the audience is to some fairly dry questions asked of Dr. Ruth.
Who is the woman behind Dave?
#FreeTheWorldsMostDangerousBand.
Am I the only person who thinks Dave looks like Alex Murdagh?
Teri Garr, rest in peace. You were a very bright, shining star on stage and film and TV, and now you're in the night sky.
She never looked better than here.
Dave sounds the exact same… PAUL barely recognizable!
I used to think Terri Garr was hot when I was a little. 8 or 9.
No music. Pretty lame.
Such a poser.
Just imagine if they let the audience vote if they wanted to keep Paul Shaffer or replace him with a *talented* musician and band leader.