David Letterman - Shows, Projects, and News
#276
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: David Letterman last show May 20 2015
As for the Letterman/Leno feud, from what i've read it's over. You have to remember that these guys were friends back in their stand up days. I wouldn't be shocked to see Leno come on as a guest before it's over.
#277
DVD Talk Legend
Re: David Letterman last show May 20 2015
I'm guessing some kind of post-retirement skit (pre-filmed) with them both in it. They'll probably throw Arsenio into the mix as well...like a retirement community home or something.
#278
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
After Letterman steps down I'm pretty much only going to watch Conan at this point. I don't really care for Colbert much, he's just never really been appealed to me with his style. He might grow on me once he's not doing his schtick from The Colbert Report but even without that I just don't really know how much I care for him. Fallon is okay but I can't watch him on a regular basis without getting tired of him. I also don't really care for Seth Meyers. Craig Ferguson is actually probably my favorite host in late night at the moment but he'll be done next week.
#279
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
See, I'm a huge fan of Colbert, and I never ever found Letterman funny, or amusing. I actually kind of hate him, since he comes of as a bit of an asshole. I always thought he was smug, unfunny and kind of a douche. So I'm actually really stoked to be getting rid of him, and replaced by someone I actually like.
#280
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
I dunno there's just something about Dave I've always liked. He does come off as a crabby old man a lot of the times and maybe somewhat of an asshole but just something about him appeals to me. I like his somewhat dry style of humor and I think that he's one of the best interviewers in late night along with Craig Ferguson when he's interested in the guest. You can tell when Dave doesn't really care for the guest too much, but when someone he's genuinely interested in is on I think he comes off as one of the most sincere people on tv. I think especially as he's gotten older he doesn't care about the Hollywood types so much unless its someone he's friends with or interests him and he doesn't really feign interest very well. I can see where that might be off putting to some but I like that he's not phony.
#281
DVD Talk Hero
#282
DVD Talk Hero
Re: David Letterman last show May 20 2015
Letterman did that Super Bowl ad with Leno and Oprah, so at least it seems like they be in the same room without drawing blood.
#283
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
sad to see dave go, but it's time.
been recording Colbert the past 6 mos to see what the hype is as I haven't really watched him much before and I gotta say the dude is really great.
Super sharp and funny with great music on his show.
This was a great hire and I expect him to be terrific.
Murray is a shoe in for final guest, wonder who will be final musical act?
Zevon is dead, so maybe Elvis Costello?
been recording Colbert the past 6 mos to see what the hype is as I haven't really watched him much before and I gotta say the dude is really great.
Super sharp and funny with great music on his show.
This was a great hire and I expect him to be terrific.
Murray is a shoe in for final guest, wonder who will be final musical act?
Zevon is dead, so maybe Elvis Costello?
#284
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
He lost some of that edge when he went to CBS (maybe the $$$ went to his head and he didn't feel the need to try to be as funny?). But lately, he is pretty much unwatchable as he comes off as crabby old man who kind of checked out. And of course he got political in the past 10 years (as he never did during his NBC days), as he showed his partisan side and that was a turnoff too. I like when comedians go after each party equally, but he was easy on Obama.
#285
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
See, I'm a huge fan of Colbert, and I never ever found Letterman funny, or amusing. I actually kind of hate him, since he comes of as a bit of an asshole. I always thought he was smug, unfunny and kind of a douche. So I'm actually really stoked to be getting rid of him, and replaced by someone I actually like.
#286
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
I'm 42. Watched some Letterman in the '80s, but mostly in the '90s - never thought he was funny then, but even less funny these days. I don't deny he was a breath of fresh air when he debuted, but that was more than 30 years ago...
#287
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
See, I'm a huge fan of Colbert, and I never ever found Letterman funny, or amusing. I actually kind of hate him, since he comes of as a bit of an asshole. I always thought he was smug, unfunny and kind of a douche. So I'm actually really stoked to be getting rid of him, and replaced by someone I actually like.
#288
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
I used to LOVE Letterman during his NBC late show days, but something changed in him when he got to CBS. I was watching an interview he did on Carson in 1992 (during Carson's last week) and Dave totally took over the show. He was quick, witty, yet still had that 'asshole' factor, but still likeable. It really made me miss him when he was in his prime and how great he was.
He lost some of that edge when he went to CBS (maybe the $$$ went to his head and he didn't feel the need to try to be as funny?). But lately, he is pretty much unwatchable as he comes off as crabby old man who kind of checked out. And of course he got political in the past 10 years (as he never did during his NBC days), as he showed his partisan side and that was a turnoff too. I like when comedians go after each party equally, but he was easy on Obama.
He lost some of that edge when he went to CBS (maybe the $$$ went to his head and he didn't feel the need to try to be as funny?). But lately, he is pretty much unwatchable as he comes off as crabby old man who kind of checked out. And of course he got political in the past 10 years (as he never did during his NBC days), as he showed his partisan side and that was a turnoff too. I like when comedians go after each party equally, but he was easy on Obama.
#289
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
I think a great part of the show's success was predicated on the backstage talent and Letterman was the perfect guy to front it. The things that made it great have not translated well into what I think Dave himself perceives as a more statesmanlike position in entertainment. .
My personal opinion is they feel they can get a laugh without doing anything because of who they are, and they essentially lose their edge. It's almost like they buy into their own hype and forget what made them funny to begin with, because they made it to the promiseland.
I just remember watching Letterman's first week on CBS in 1993, and I noticed the change right then. He thought he was the king because of the money CBS threw at him, and he was just never the same. I can only think of a handful of comics who truly stayed funny their whole career: Carson, Richard Pryor, George Carlin are the one's that first come to mind.
#290
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
It is always interesting to analyze how a great comedian becomes unfunny? I look at Eddie Murphy, Jim Carrey, and even a guy like Chevy Chase, who were all funny in their prime, and then became SO unfunny years later.
My personal opinion is they feel they can get a laugh without doing anything because of who they are, and they essentially lose their edge. It's almost like they buy into their own hype and forget what made them funny to begin with, because they made it to the promiseland.
I just remember watching Letterman's first week on CBS in 1993, and I noticed the change right then. He thought he was the king because of the money CBS threw at him, and he was just never the same. I can only think of a handful of comics who truly stayed funny their whole career: Carson, Richard Pryor, George Carlin are the one's that first come to mind.
My personal opinion is they feel they can get a laugh without doing anything because of who they are, and they essentially lose their edge. It's almost like they buy into their own hype and forget what made them funny to begin with, because they made it to the promiseland.
I just remember watching Letterman's first week on CBS in 1993, and I noticed the change right then. He thought he was the king because of the money CBS threw at him, and he was just never the same. I can only think of a handful of comics who truly stayed funny their whole career: Carson, Richard Pryor, George Carlin are the one's that first come to mind.
#291
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
I like Colbert, but 'back in the day' I really liked Letterman, or more specifically the show. I think a great part of the show's success was predicated on the backstage talent and Letterman was the perfect guy to front it. The things that made it great have not translated well into what I think Dave himself perceives as a more statesmanlike position in entertainment. I think that has led to some of the very valid criticisms you raise about his demeanor and performance. I stopped watching regularly not long after he came to CBS, and over the last ten years or so he has become insufferable and nearly unwatchable.
#292
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Letterman Tickets
Just put in for tickets for Letterman for early in May. If by some chance they do call me, I have to answer a trivia question, anybody know some of the questions they might ask? My Googlefoo is failing me.
#295
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Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
Questions I've had before:
Name the stage manager (Biff Henderson)
What does Paul Schaffer play? (Keys/Piano)
What does Dave sometimes throw behind him at the desk? (Pens/Pencils)
Who runs the Hello Deli? (Rupert, who also is the exclusive seller now for Late Show merch - he should be setup in the lobby as you're filing out after the show)
If you're even just an occasional viewer, you'll probably have no problem. Also, I've gotten tickets every single time I have submitted a request thru their site. Usually got a call just a few days before the requested date. Also be prepared for serious audience coaching, more than any other show I've been to.
I saw him last back in September. Was happy to see Jack Hanna on with his animals. Jack goes way back with Dave to the early NBC years (when I was a devoted viewer and the show was at its best IMO), and it was great to see them together. Also I seriously thought a cheetah was going to pounce on a cameraman, that cat look pissed!
Name the stage manager (Biff Henderson)
What does Paul Schaffer play? (Keys/Piano)
What does Dave sometimes throw behind him at the desk? (Pens/Pencils)
Who runs the Hello Deli? (Rupert, who also is the exclusive seller now for Late Show merch - he should be setup in the lobby as you're filing out after the show)
If you're even just an occasional viewer, you'll probably have no problem. Also, I've gotten tickets every single time I have submitted a request thru their site. Usually got a call just a few days before the requested date. Also be prepared for serious audience coaching, more than any other show I've been to.
I saw him last back in September. Was happy to see Jack Hanna on with his animals. Jack goes way back with Dave to the early NBC years (when I was a devoted viewer and the show was at its best IMO), and it was great to see them together. Also I seriously thought a cheetah was going to pounce on a cameraman, that cat look pissed!
#297
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Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
Interns basically just break you off into groups and have you cheer, clap, etc and tell you what's too much or not enough (this is done before you ever go into the theater). Not a big deal, but the other late night shows I've seen (Conan, Fallon, Meyers) are all much more relaxed and don't work so hard to hype you up.
#298
Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
Carlin evolved much over his career and his highlight was "Jammin' in New York" in the early 90's. I do think his last few concerts showed his bitterness after the death of Brenda, and became more about attacks, than clever observations.
#300
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Dave Letterman announces he will retire (Last show 5/20/15) / Colbert signed as h
Yeah, tonight was Sarah Jessica Parker's last appearance. Her first was in 1991 to promote LA Story, and she's been a favorite of his since. I used to love her appearances on the show back in the early 90s, as she was a lot of fun and pretty much game for anything. She once hit golfballs into the audience. She once went and got her face photocopied. She once say Tomorrow and they released a bunch of "Sandy" dogs to surround her.