MetaFilter posts tagged with DavidLetterman

How to Tell a Story

Mike Buechel — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:57:22 -0800

How to Tell a Story. "The humorous story is strictly a work of art--high and delicate art-- and only an artist can tell it; but no art is necessary in telling the comic and the witty story; anybody can do it. The art of telling a humorous story--understand, I mean by word of mouth, not print--was created in America, and has remained at home." That Itchy Chick | You Should Have Seen The Old Man Brother Theodore Christopher Walken's The Watch

The Right to Bare Arms

inconsequentialist — Sun, 10 May 2009 03:45:37 -0800

The writers for the Late Show with David Letterman have recently had some trouble coming up with jokes about Obama. Perhaps they should take a lesson from the master of Obama jokes, the President himself. President Obama brought down the house at last night's White House Correspondents' Dinner, poking fun at himself, his administration, and everyone else within shouting distance. Host Wanda Sykes followed Obama's show stealing performance with a few choice jabs of her own. Unfortunately, it seems that Dick Cheney's prediction has come true since no one is safe when the Comedian-in-Chief steps up to the mic.

Never a moment's peace...

not_on_display — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:51:34 -0800

Tonight in the MetaFilter Lecture Series, "Health through Nutrition: Its Prevention and Cure" by Brother Theodore Gottlieb (1906-2001), stand-up tragedian. His gravestone reads: Known as Brother Theodore / Solo Performer, Comedian, Metaphysician / "As Long As There is Death, There Is Hope" Earlier in his long life, he lived through Dachau (while much of his family didn't), and was sent off to the US courtesy of his mom's purported boyfriend, Albert Einstein. For much more: Wikipedia Bio | A fan page bio | The NYTimes obit also linked to above. He gained his moniker from Merv Griffin, on whose show he appeared 30+ times. He also was a frequent guest on Late Night with David Letterman; the unlikely pairing made for some comedy that will make you squirm uncomfortably in your seat: ein • zwei • drei • vier • funf • sechs • ...And some topics that could make you a bit queasy, but is interesting in a time-capsule-ish way as to how "safe topics" in comedy can change over time: "You are asking dangerous questions, and you provoke dangerous answers." (Also, this, from the disco-vampire movie "Nocturna".) Yes, aside from working theaters and talk shows, he would appear in movies every once in a while: • The Burbs: Go and see it, or Brother Theodore will "come to your home one of these nights, and you won't enjoy it." • He was the voice of Gollum in the animated version of The Hobbit. • There's a documentary about him, too: here's the trailer. • And here's a bit of Brother Theodore with Sammy Davis, Jr. (Billy Crystal) doing "Who's on First?". • He was on the Radio, too: He provides a voice in this episode of Julius Knipl [real audio]. I originally decided to post this after listening to some of this hour-long interview with Bob Claster, from Kattullus' great post. As I poked into more links, I found that BoingBoing had the same thought as me, so here's their post which contains a few more links. And hey, a WNYC No Show dedicated to Brother Theodore from the same date! Huh!! Did I miss Brother Theodore Day or something? Odds and Ends: • Previously • A Fairy Tale

The End of an Error.

ericb — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:53:48 -0800

With George W. Bush's presidency coming to a close David Letterman on last night's The Late Show bid farewell to his recurring segment "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches" with a video montage [4:00] of clips. Another compilation of clips [4:49].

Chris Elliott in conversation with Dave Eggers

Item — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:44:04 -0800

A nice thirty-two minute interview taped a little less than a year ago. Interviewer: Dave Eggers. Subject: Chris Elliott.

Hiram Bullock dead

KevinSkomsvold — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:19:18 -0800

Hiram Bullock, original guitarist for Paul Shaffer's "Worlds Most Dangerous Band" died on July 25th. He was a fixture in the early days of David Letterman's show. The cause of death was not disclosed but Bullock had been undergoing treatment for cancer and was known to have had drug problems. Bullock was 52. Apologies in advance for the obit post. I feel just a bit older after hearing this news. He was an awesome guitar player.

Bill vs. Dave 1982

vronsky — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:56:12 -0800

A very, very funny Bill Murray guest stars on the first episode of Late Night with David Letterman -- 1982

Let's spend some time together, Tori.

jbickers — Sat, 05 May 2007 20:53:07 -0800

Tori Amos changes "MILF" to "MILX" for her recent Letterman appearance. Her new song "Big Wheel" ends with a refrain of "I am an M-I-L-F," but careful listening to the performance suggests that she changed the "F" to an "X" - and perhaps slurred it a little to conceal the fact that the change had been made. Was this a quiet example of giving in to the television morality police, or an artistic statement of another sort?

We will miss you Calvert DeForest!

UseyurBrain — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 17:06:43 -0800

Larry Bud Melman has Passed Away. Larry was there with David from the Beginning and continued to make appearances on the show through 2002. He was 85.

Try the london broil..pamper yourself!

BrodieShadeTree — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 15:56:28 -0800

Under appreciated, once almost-famous comedian Chris Elliot is, in a word, odd. His start as a runner/page on the early days of Late Night with David Letterman led to his recurring roles as "the guy under the stairs" and "Marlon Brando". Soon after he landed a sit-com called "Get a Life" on a fledgling Fox network, which can only be described as surreal. From there he created his first (and last) feature length star vehicle "Cabin Boy" (which features a hilarious cameo with Letterman in his only movie role). These days he is more known as a character actor in comedic roles. But a few books and a look back at his work makes you wonder why he might be the only celebrity on the internet with no apparent fan site.

George W. Bush Invigorating Ameria's Youth

kirkaracha — Wed, 31 Mar 2004 14:17:37 -0800

George W. Bush Invigorating Ameria's Youth On Monday David Letterman aired video footage [Real] of an "obviously bored silly" 14-year-old kid goofing off while standing on stage behind the president during a speech. [more inside]

puddsharp — Wed, 09 Oct 2002 07:09:07 -0800

David Sedaris on tour Go see him in your town! Anybody see David Sedaris on Letterman last night? He read a new piece about a portable colostomy bag. Mr. Sedaris is a regular contributor to This American Life on NPR. If you haven't read or heard David Sedaris, you are really missing out.

aaron — Thu, 28 Feb 2002 19:55:24 -0800

Another decade, another network jump for Letterman? Dave is very seriously considering an offer from ABC for its 11:35 slot, for reasons not unlike the ones he gave for jumping to CBS from NBC in the first place: little network support. More distressingly, the article strongly implies that Nightline is doomed in its present form regardless of whether Dave decides to join ABC or stay at CBS.

adrober — Mon, 17 Sep 2001 22:29:21 -0800

Praise be to David Letterman for tonight's Late Show. Questioning himself the appropriateness of returning to the air, there he was--the man famed for his sarcasm and goofy antics--addressing his audience like a wounded child, completely bewildered, emotional, fighting back tears. And then the sight of Dan Rather sobbing despite himself and then apologzing---it was enough to ravage any audience. Perhaps, for the first time in a while, television didn't appeal to our lowest common demoninator but, instead, sought to raise us up and appeal to our humanity. Thanks Dave.

JFunk2800 — Wed, 04 Apr 2001 05:51:33 -0800

Letterman makes like Rodney Dangerfield and goes "Back to School." David Letterman will be a special guest speaker in the journalism class that Al Gore is teaching. On a side note, does anyone else find it ironic that a class on journalism is being taught "off the record"?

snakey — Thu, 28 Sep 2000 08:42:11 -0800

Nader on Letterman TO-NITE!!!

dcehr — Thu, 03 Aug 2000 13:05:21 -0800

This from the no-graphics page of the Progressive Review: "DAVID LETTERMAN has recently expressed interest in hosting a presidential debate and has not decided whether or not to include Ralph Nader. To express your view on this matter call the short at (212) 975-5300 and ask for Art."
Sounds like fun to watch if it's true, if it even plays out.