Week 18: October 20-24

Monday October 20, 1980 - episode pre-taped

The Crew: Paul Raley, Wil Shriner, Rich Hall

Announcer: Bill Wendell

Set: #3

And Now: "...the best golfer in the world"

 

Dave: Today is Monday, October - what do you think, Frank?

Frank: I'm not sure!

(Dave and Frank both laugh)

Dave mentions show is pre-taped.  Shows off a Coffee Cup Theater mug made by a viewer.

 

Bad Phone Call: Ruth has lost her job and will be moving in with her sister Gwen in Reno, NV, with the problem that her sister knows nothing of this situation.  Gwen is not home, so Ruth receives a can of Winky's Cow Paste.

 

Musical Guest: Lacy J. Dalton sings "Hard Times"

Lacy J. Dalton interview

Musical Guest: Lacy J. Dalton sings "Whisper"

Rich Hall panel and video - vanishing diner in Roosevelt Island

Wil Shriner panel and film

Fred Soyka interview (2 segments)

 

 

Tuesday October 21, 1980

And Now: "...here's a man who knows absolutely nothing about the Oriental art of origami"

Sign in audience: "We Love David"  Dave reminds audience of show from Cresco, IA, airing tomorrow, along with Wil Shriner appearing in NBC Sports' pre-game coverage of Game 6 of the 1980 World Series.

 

Small Town News segment.  Call to Thomas Williams in Osceola, MO.  On first dialing, Dave forgets area code.  2nd attempt doesn't work either.

Dave: I bet Wink Martindale could've done this.

 

Note: going to and coming back from commercial, photos and resumes of staff members are shown.

Father Guido Sarducci interview

Rich Hall theater review segment

Video - Hansom Cab tips

 

Isaac Asimov interview (2 segments)

Edwin Newman NBC News Update

 

Wednesday October 22, 1980 - Cresco, IA

NBC Announcer: "The following program is pre-recorded"

Goldsworthy Family interview (Howard, Jane, Gina, Gretta)

Dave opens the show in the living room, with the band playing in the corner near the family's upright piano.

Cloris Leachman interview (2 segments).  In 2nd segment, Cloris' daughter Dinah Englund joins Cloris.

Rich Hall video - Pitkinville, MT Pork Festival

Video - tour of Cresco, IA

 

Wil Shriner panel

Stupid Pet Tricks segment

Video - on the streets of Cresco, IA

Postscript: when Wil was a guest on Late Night in 1990, he brought along a picture from the taping:

 

 

Also, during Dave's retirement, Jane Goldsworthy was interviewed in the Des Moines Register.

 

 

 

Thursday October 23, 1980

And Now: "...a man who is both afraid of heights...and widths"

Dave receives standing ovation, with people sitting in the aisles.  Signs in the audience: "We Survived Lettermanland"  "We Want Dave Saved"  "Dave for Prez" "Save David"

 

Guests who won't be on the show segment

Steve Allen interview (4 segments)

New Halloween Products

New Halloween Costumes

Fay & Warren Eckstein interview (2 segments).  In 2nd segment, dog training demonstration.

Edwin Newman NBC News Update

 

 

Friday October 24, 1980

And Now: "...a man who's been replaced by 2 game shows"

Dave receives standing ovation, with people sitting in the aisles.  Signs in the audience: "NBC is a Peacock" "Dave is Keen" "Kill Wink" "Nobody Fills the Gap like David" "Wink Who?" "Save David Letterman from Extinction"

Viewer Mail segment

 

Wil Shriner panel and video

Edwin Newman & Frank Owens interview

Coffee Cup Theater segment - 14th

Stupid Writer Tricks segment

Behind the Scenes tour, includes speaking with Barry Sand, Bill Wendell, Yolanda Rodriguez, Kathleen Ankers, Bob Pook, and Hal Gurnee.

Musical Guest: Harve Mann sings "Las Vegas Gambit"