Week 6: July 28-August 1

Monday, July 28, 1980
(Hal Gurnee now director)
The Crew:
Announcer: Bob Sarlatte
Edie McClurg, Valri Bromfield, Paul Raley, Wil Shriner, Rich Hall

Set: #2, slight changes to background behind desk

And Now: "...a man who has an extra chromosome"

Dave walks through guest entrance and begins at desk.  Reads tips for visiting to New York.  Gives directions to Willard Scott's house.

Steven Fredricksen interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update (Edwin gets applause from audience)

Edward C. Hennigan trains Dave's dog Stan

Wil Shriner panel and film

Ruth Winter (2 segments)

Paul Raley as The Incredible Al segment.  Al renames himself as The Amazing Al.

John Keel interview

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel

Edward C. Hennigan returns with Stan post-training


Tuesday, July 29, 1980

And Now: "...a man with a fear of elastic"

Dave walks through guest entrance and begins at desk.

Bad Phone Call -  Pat Van Tassel chosen, calls her mother to say that she's going to leave with Jim for 2 weeks.  Mother is watching show live.
Dave: Do you know someone named Jim?  Does that ring a bell?
Mother: Oh, it rings a big bell.

Steve Karmen interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update (Edwin gets applause from audience)

Dave on the set of The Doctors.  Interview with Ben Thomas, Valerie Mahaffey and James Pritchett

Musical Guest: Tracy Nelson sings "Come See About Me"

Bill & Joyce Corrington interview

Valri Bromfield panel

Items from the back of magazines

John Browning interview

Edwin Newman NBC News Update (Edwin gets applause from audience)

Musical Guest: Tracy Nelson sings "Down So Low"


Wednesday, July 30, 1980

Guests: Evonne Goolagong, Duane Hanson, Leo Steiner, mini-horses


Thursday, July 31, 1980

Cold Open: Rate a Record: Sunday Morning Coming Down by Telly Savalas. Crew dances during song.  2 audience members rate the record.  Bob Sarlatte's last on-air appearance.
And Now: "...the father of static cling"

Dave walks through guest entrance and begins at desk. Talks with Frank, who played at President Carter's reception for the US Olympic team that didn't participate in the 1980 Summer Olympics. 
Dave: You were right at the famous Watergate Hotel.  Infamous I guess.
Frank: It bugged me a little bit, though.
(audience groans)
Dave, to camera: If you know anything about leading an orchestra...
(audience laughs)

Guest who won't be on the show segment

Judy Collins interview

Musical Guest: Judy Collins sings "Junk Food Junkie"  The first take, her microphone doesn't work.
Dave: What you've just witnessed is a screw up!
This anecdote is referenced in the Letterman book by Jason Zinoman.

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel (Edwin gets applause from audience)

Dave visits with folks in audience.  Leads to Edie McClurg & Valri Bromfield as Timkie Sisters segment

Brian Davies interview

Gary Null interview (2 segments)

Paul Raley as P.J. Rails segment

Winky's Cow Paste ad

Bruce Wennerstrom interview

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel (Edwin gets applause from audience)

Musical Guest: Judy Collins sings "Send In The Clowns"


Friday, August 1, 1980

And Now: "...the only man who ever pitched back-to-back no-hitters in the World Series "

Dave walks through guest entrance and begins at desk.

Viewer Mail segment

Jimmy Breslin interview

Rich Hall panel, reviewing The Blues Brothers

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel

Edie McClurg as Mrs. Marv Mendenhall segment.  Introduces Valri Bromfield as Lila DeGay, who sings "I Left My Heart in San Francisco"

Bart Andrews interview

Gerard Kenny interview

Musical Guest: Gerard Kenny sings "New York, New York (So Good They Named It Twice)"

Nancy Lieberman interview

Musical Guest: Gerard Kenny sings "Son of a Song & Dance Man"

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel

Who Asked For It segment - Wade Barnes drinks from a hose

Week 5: July 21-25

Monday, July 21, 1980
The Crew:
Announcer: Bob Sarlatte
Edie McClurg, Valri Bromfield, Paul Raley, Wil Shriner, Rich Hall

Set: #2, slight changes to background behind desk

Promo covering last week's episodes:

Cold Open: Letterman School of Cab Drive Expletives

And Now: "...a man who still uses the phrase 'hunky dory'"

Dave begins in monologue spot.  Goes to audience to discuss bad jobs.  Empty rows of seats can be seen.  Dave's lapel mic is not working.

Tom Walton (exterminator) interview.

Sandi Serkess interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel

Wil Shriner panel and film

Musical Guest: John Sebastian interview & harmonica performance

Graeme Graydon interview (2 segments)

Paul Raley as The Incredible Al segment.  Dave has trouble containing laughter throughout the whole segment.

Musical Guest: John Sebastian sings "My Baby's Walking with Someone New"

Bertini Family interview and performance

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel


Tuesday, July 22, 1980

And Now: "...a man whose only evidence of a personality is a confused facial expression"

Bad Phone Call - Gerald chosen, calls his boss for $100 raise.  Boss laughs.

Boomer the dog & trainer interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update

Bob Uecker interview (2 segments)

Musical Guest: John Sebastian sings "She's a Lady"

Hilary Hilton interview - later a sports scientist reviews video of Dave and Hilary playing racquetball

Edie McClurg & Valri Bromfield as Timkie Sisters segment

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel

Musical Guest: John Sebastian sings "Nashville Cats"

John Sebastian interview

Vera Komarkova interview



Wednesday, July 23, 1980

Cold Open: Each writer weighed to make sure they have enough comedy
And Now: "...a man who has no native language"

Dave walks through guest entrance and begins at desk.

Small Town News segment.  Dave still reading from the paper.  Call to Dorothy Grenquist.

Uwe Kind interview (2 segments)

Note: on Uwe's page, he credits it as being on Late Night in 1984.

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel

Rich Hall segment - as Zoologist

Call to Eagle Sarmont.  Edwin Newman asks questions as well.

Musical Guest: The Drifters sing "On Broadway"

Dr. Irving Sarnoff & Susan Sarnoff interview (2 segments)

Jack Reitknick interview.  Valri Bromfield as a Tour Guide interrupts segment.  This seems to surprise Dave.  Jack answers questions to the audience instead of Dave.

Charles Panati interview

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel

Musical Guest: The Drifters sing "Under the Boardwalk"


Thursday, July 24, 1980

And Now: "...a man who, in his entire 33 years, has never made a suggestion"

Dave walks through guest entrance and begins at desk.

Guest who won't be on the show segment

Tom Brown Jr. interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel (Edwin gets applause from audience)

Valri Bromfield panel

Ed Subitzky as Suzanne Somers

Musical Guest: Aztec 2-Step

Dr. Karen Blaker interview (2 segments, in 2nd segment, Dave takes questions with her from audience)  Empty rows of seats can be seen.

Edie McClurg as Dot Duncan segment

Stupid Pet Tricks segment (3rd segment)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update

Call to Nona Burke

Friday, July 25, 1980 - show pre-empted

Week 4: July 14-18

Monday July 14th, 1980

Taped 30 minute show

pre-empt for NBC News coverage of RNC

The Crew:
Announcer: Bob Sarlatte
Edie McClurg, Valri Bromfield, Paul Raley, Wil Shriner, Rich Hall
Edwin Newman News: In Detroit, MI

Set: #1, with band in front on the left, Dave's desk a table, couch set in the rear of studio

Cold Open: Dave in audience acknowledging the pre-tape (not live) and reads predictions for the days in-between tape and air date.

And Now: "The president of 'Save the Geese'...

Dave begins in audience, asking 3 people if they know how Electoral College works, to mild success.  After break mentions a "game show host hall of fame" with an exhibit on Wink Martindale (oh the irony).

John Hartford interview

Musical Guest: John Hartford sings "Steam Powered Aereo Plane"

Wil Shriner panel and film

Tuesday July 15th, 1980

Barry Sand now producer

Set: #2, slight changes to background behind desk

Cold open: Stats on what will happen over the next 90 minutes

And Now: "The first man to walk on the moon..."

Taped theme plays as Dave begins in audience.  Sends Sue to get artwork for the set.

Albert Whitlock interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel (from RNC in Detroit)

Edie McClurg as Mandy Van Flanderman segment

Charles Aznavour interview

Musical Guest: Charles Aznavour sings "Yesterday When I was Young"

Alex Joseph interview (2 segments)

Dr. Mary Conroy interview and self-defense demonstration

(During demonstration)

Dave: "Forgive me if I hurt you."

Mary: "Oh, forgive me if I hurt you."

Musical Guest: Charles Aznavour sings "Ave Maria"

Call to Jim Seem of WNDU TV in South Bend, IN, 25th Anniversary of station

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel (from RNC in Detroit)

Sue returns to show what she bought for the set

Wednesday July 16th, 1980

Cold open: Audio only of writers meeting

And Now: "A man whose first and only interest is toxic waste..."

Dave begins at desk, with Frank only at piano.  Frank states the rest of the band aren't there due to Charles Aznavour's band.  First occasion Frank is mic'd.  Calls time and temp

Bad phone call - Stephanie chosen, calls Lisa to say the clothes Stephanie has she won't return to Lisa.  (Stephanie is in audience) 

Dr. Fredric J. Neuman interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel (from RNC in Detroit) 

Edie McClurg as Dot Duncan segment

Musical Guest: Charles Aznavour sings "Mon Amour" (song in French, author's best guess)

Dave Jenett (Mr. Fix-It) interview

Rich Hall Pitkinville, MT segment  (Makes "Otis Crenshaw" reference as Mayor of Pitkinville)

Edie McClurg & Valri Bromfield as Timkie Sisters segment

Musical Guest: Charles Aznavour sings "She"

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel (from RNC in Detroit)  

Sugar Ray Leonard interview (2 segments)

Thursday July 17th, 1980

(Note: the Eastern Time Zone did not air the first 30 minutes of the show)

Bob Taylor interview

Paul Raley as P.J. Rails segment

Musical Guest: Charles Aznavour sings "(Unknown)"

Dr. Sid Wolfe interview (2 segments)

Edie McClurg as 105 year old self segment

Charles Aznavour interview 

Musical Guest: Charles Aznavour sings "What is Left for Me"

Stupid Pet Tricks (2nd ever segment)

Friday July 18th, 1980

Cold open: Styrofoam Cup advisory board 

And Now: "A man who does not understand the concept of soup..."

Dave begins show at desk.  Audience Appreciation Day on the show - audience receives party hats. 

Viewer Mail segment

Note: Dave refers to the band as "The World's Most Dangerous Symphony Orchestra"

Jimmy Breslin interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel (from RNC in Detroit) with Jimmy Breslin  

Edie McClurg as Mrs. Marv Mendenhall segment

Ed Subitzky as Gary Coleman

Musical Guest: Michael Franks sings "One Bad Habit"

William Rukeyser interview (2 segments)

Stan Cottrell interview

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel (from RNC in Detroit)

Musical Guest: Michael Franks sings "Baseball"

Valri Bromfield panel with her dog Pal.  Replay of previous day's Stupid Pet Tricks with dogs eating cheesecake, and a dog climbing over Dave. 

Week 3: July 7-11

Monday July 7, 1980

The Crew:
Announcer: Bob Sarlatte
Edie McClurg, Valri Bromfield, Paul Raley, Wil Shriner, Rich Hall
Edwin Newman News: In Studio

Set: #1, with band in front on the left, Dave's desk a table, couch set in the rear of studio

Cold Open: Styrofoam Cup Advisory Board
And Now...: "A man who is a licensed California driver..."

David begins by walking up to audience, asking members their worst or strangest jobs.

Susan Pacewicz interview

Bob Sarlatte segment

Edwin Newman NBC News Update  (Edwin gets applause from audience)

Call to Max Utsler, of David Letterman Show softball team

Scott Keeler interview (2 segments)

Musical Guest: Nell Carter sings "Trust No Man"

Edie McClurg as Dot Duncan segment

Dr. Robert Van de Castle interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update  (Edwin gets applause from audience)

Musical Guest: Nell Carter sings "There's Love in Me"

Valri Bromfield as Dr. Rebecca Hart segment


Tuesday July 8, 1980
Cold Open: Styrofoam Cup Advisory Board
And Now...: "A man who believes all new shoes should be accompanied by operating instructions..."

David begins by walking up to audience, selects Liz Jackson from audience to fill last minute of show

Wil Shriner panel and film

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel

Bob Sarlatte panel

Pete Hamill interview (2 segments)

Edie McClurg as 105 year old self segment

Musical Guest: Loudon Wainright III sings "Say That You Love Me"

Willard Scott interview (comes out as Dave introduces the next guest).  Willard gives Dave his toupee, and as Dave attempts to "kill" it with a snow globe, the snow globe cracks  and spills water on it

Karen Glazier interview

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel

Musical Guest: Loudon Wainright III sings "Saturday Morning Fever"

Liz Zackson closes out the show talking about her family


Wednesday July 9, 1980
Cold Open: Graphics on the screen ("Space Wars" and "Dot to Dot")
And Now...: "A man who keeps a list of things that float..."

David begins by walking up to audience, selects Debbie Jones to go outside to select guests.

Eleanor Berman interview

Edwin Newman NBC News Update  (Edwin gets applause from audience)

Debbie Jones interviewing people on the street

Small Town News segment - calls Mrs. Johnny Joe Osbourne to speak on the Jolly Mothers Club

Kevin McEneaney interview

Musical Guest: Nell Carter sings "The Last Thing on My Mind"

Rich Hall segment

Debbie Jones interviewing people on the street

Juluis Vitali interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel  (Edwin gets applause from audience)

Nell Carter interview

Musical Guest: Nell Carter sings "Bye Bye Blackbird"

Debbie Jones (in studio) with guests from the street Winky and JoAnne

Thursday July 10, 1980
Cold Open: Dave in audience showing Dwayne Hickman's album.  Plays "Don't Send a Rabbit"
And Now...: "A man who doesn't mind runny eggs..."

David begins at the desk, admits cold open did not work.  Cuts up and learns about hot house tomatoes.

Small Town News segment

Judge Lois Forer interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update

Rich Hall reviews Camelot and Wild Kingdom

Paul Raley as P.J. Rails segment

Loudon Wainright III interview

Musical Guest: Loudon Wainright III sings "Talking Big Apple '75"

Dr. Karen Blaker interview (2 segments, in 2nd segment, Dave takes questions for her from audience)

Valri Bromfield as Ms. Sweet segment from 7th floor elevators

Musical Guest: Loudon Wainright III sings "Dump the Dog"

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel

Pet Fashion show with Edie McClurg narrating

Call to Goldie Debraga in Fallon, NV


Friday July 11, 1980

Cold Open: Baked Ham Advisory Board
And Now...: "A man who believes in stronger laws portending to vinyl repair..."

David begins at the desk, reads Viewer Mail for first time.  Dave doesn't comment on the letters, just reads them sequentially.

Elizabeth King interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel  (Edwin gets applause from audience)

Review of phony UFO photos.  "Earl Hofert" reference. 

Edie McClurg as Mrs. Marv Mendenhall segment

Musical Guest: Nell Carter sings "Mean to Me"

Bill Pike interview (2 segments)

Bad Phone Call for Charles Evans

Edwin Newman NBC News Update and panel  (Edwin gets applause from audience)

Musical Guest: Nell Carter sings "Wild Women"

Theodore Timm interview

Week 2: June 30 - July 4

Monday June 30, 1980

The Crew:
Announcer: Bob Sarlatte
Edie McClurg, Valri Bromfield, Paul Raley, Wil Shriner, Rich Hall
Edwin Newman News: In Studio

Set: #1, with band in front on the left, Dave's desk a table, couch set in the rear of studio

Cold Open: Styrofoam Cup Advisory Board
And Now...: "A man who feels better when he has the flu..."

David begins by walking up to audience, asking members their worst or strangest jobs.

Peter Connors interview

Fran Lebowitz interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update

Valri Bromfield as Miss Sweet segment

Paul Raley as P.J. Rails segment

Musical Guest: Loudon Wainright III sings "The Swimming Song"

Loudon Wainright III interview

David Harrop interview (2 segments)

Edie McClurg & Valri Bromfield as Timkie Sisters segment

Musical Guest: Loudon Wainright III sings "Unrequited to the Nth Degree"

Video: Inventors Convention - Fountain Toothpaste Toothbrush.  Inventor Jack Reitknick and his wife are in the audience.  Dave jokes if everyone in the audience gets one.  "Sid, if you're listening, start the machinery going."

Edwin Newman NBC News Update

Bob Sarlatte sports spectator segment


Tuesday July 1, 1980
Cold Open: Spare Ribs Advisory Board
And Now...: "A man who thinks a poodle without a skirt on is unnatural..."

David begins at the desk, brings up "Sid if you're listening, start the machinery going."  Goes though mail-order items, with Dave referencing Merrill Markoe as the person on staff who does this task.

Call to Jan Christensen, who gave staff a container of Mt. St. Helen's ash as a gift

Wil Shriner panel and film

Edwin Newman NBC News Update & panel

Rich Hall Organized Crime in Atlantic City segment

Finely Ground Flour Advisory Board (used as a "cold open" for stations that don't carry the 1st half hour)

Valri Bromfield as Mrs. Bjorkman segment

Musical Guest: Loudon Wainright III sings "B Side"

Father Bruce Ritter interview (2 segments)

Homemade Soup Advisory Board (used as a "cold open" for stations that don't carry the 1st hour)

Franklin Chang interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update & panel

Musical Guest: Loudon Wainright III sings "Dead Skunk"


Wednesday July 2, 1980
Cold Open: Dave in audience showing Jack Palance's album.  When song "The Meanest Guy in Town" plays, the audience gets up to leave.
And Now...: "A man who is fascinated by the concept of lamination..."

David begins at the desk, seems to honestly get the date wrong. Calls Bruce Bisonette in El Paso, TX to discuss heat wave and can't complete call.   Dave and Bob look through want ads to fill time.

Dick the Bruiser interview (2 segments)  Edie McClurg as Mrs. Marv Mendenhall appears in segment 2.

Edwin Newman NBC News Update & panel

Ed Subitzky as Donna Summer

Edie McClurg as Mrs. Marv Mendenhall segment

Musical Guest: Loudon Wainright III sings "Final Exam"

Dr. Heinz Meng interview (2 segments)

Edie McClurg & Valri Bromfield as Timkie Sisters segment

Call to Bruce Bisonette

NBC Fork Lift Operator Bob Demler Sr. teaches how to operate fork lift

Edwin Newman NBC News Update & panel

Musical Guest: Loudon Wainright III sings "Nocturnal Stumblebutt" and interview

Thursday July 3, 1980
Cold Open: Styrofoam Cup Advisory Board
And Now...: "A man who's in way over his head..."

Dave begins in audience.  Margaret selected to take a photo of Fred Silverman.

Stephen Muskie Interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update & panel.  (Edwin gets huge applause from audience)

Valri Bromfield as Debbie Smith segment

Bob Sarlatte segment

Musical Guest: Nell Carter sings "New York, New York"

Dr. Robert Jastro interview (2 segments)

Edie McClurg and Valri Bromfield panel

Edwin Newman NBC News Update & panel.  (Edwin again gets huge applause from audience)

Valri Bromfield as Debbie Smith segment #2

Musical Guest: Nell Carter sings "Stormy Monday"

Dr. Karen Blaker interview

Margaret returns to show photos taken

Friday, July 4, 1980
Cold Open: Gun Powder Advisory Board
And Now...: "A man who has been in America all his life, but still has trouble with the language..."

David begins at the desk.  Camera on rooftop of RCA Building.  Show will produce daytime fireworks.  Bob Sarlatte panel.

Jimmy Breslin interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update

Rich Hall - Pitkinville, MT News

Daytime fireworks display

Edie McClurg as Mrs. Marv Mendenhall segment

Musical Guest: Linda Hopkins sings "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You"

Capt. Frank Bolz interview (2 segments)

Daytime fireworks display

Paul Raley as P.J. Rails segment

Musical Guest: Linda Hopkins sings the Blues

Edwin Newman NBC News Update

Bob Sarlatte at desk as Dave goes to rooftop.  The connection is not working at the start and Bob desperately fills time.  Once working, Dave speaks to folks and camera pans around the area.  When asking for the list to thank guests, Dency Nelson doesn't have that card.  Most folks Dave speaks to politely ignore him.  After break, speaks with security guard.