Late Show with David Letterman — Season 1

Aired 30 August 1993

Tom Brokaw shows up to take back some NBC ""intellectual property;"" Dave shows off the renovated Ed Sullivan Theater and chats with Bill Murray.

Aired 31 August 1993

Dave's worst moment on last night's debut: his fake tooth fell out (the video is repeated several times in slow motion); a four-year-old geography expert and cheese lover names states on a U.S. map.

Aired 1 September 1993

A very pregnant Demi Moore is given the honor of throwing the first pencil through the backdrop windows of the Late Show.

Aired 2 September 1993

The ghost of Ed Sullivan (who haunts Dave throughout the first week) introduces a plate spinner; Andy Dick makes his first appearance as ""Donnie, the CBS Page Who Likes To Suck Up.""

Aired 3 September 1993

Dave has fun with a car phone, calling in bogus traffic reports to 1010 WINS radio; Casey Kasem presents ""Top Ten Favorite Numbers Between 1 and 10;"" after showing a clip from an old ""Wonder Woman"" episode, Debra Winger strips to her old Wonder Girl outfit.

Aired 6 September 1993

Dave continues pestering locals with the new hands-free car phone: WINS radio, a car wash, Dial-a-Mattress and Jackson Hole Restaurant, where he orders pancakes.

Aired 7 September 1993

Aired 8 September 1993

Aired 9 September 1993

Dave takes a cab to help out at Yankee Stadium and later makes fun of Tony Randall; Lenny Kravitz performs ""Are You Gonna Go My Way.""

Aired 10 September 1993

Aired 13 September 1993

Aired 14 September 1993

The Mars Observer crashes into the studio; Mike Ditka promotes ""NFL on NBC;"" John Hiatt performs ""Perfectly Good Guitar.""

Aired 15 September 1993

Jerry Garcia sits in with the band; Dave makes several jokes at the expense of Yassir Arafat.

Aired 16 September 1993

Aired 17 September 1993

Aired 20 September 1993

Aired 21 September 1993

David Sanborn sits in with the band; Dave does part of the show from his ""house"" in Connecticut.

Aired 22 September 1993

Aired 23 September 1993

Aired 24 September 1993

Aired 27 September 1993

Aired 28 September 1993

Aired 29 September 1993

Ed Sullivan's ghost introduces juggler ""Andy Head;"" Paul & the CBSO play Jerry Lewis out with the coda from Count Basie's ""April In Paris"" (a Lewis signature tune); Dave gives Jerry his take on ""Beavis and Butt-head,"" then Jerry runs around the set and gooses a cameraman; budding sports reporter Sparky Mortimer makes his first appearance; Rod Stewart performs.

Aired 30 September 1993

Aired 1 October 1993

Aired 4 October 1993

Dave's high-rise buddy Meg Parsont (at a different building) makes her first and only appearance on CBS -- giving a description of her boyfriend Tony to a police sketch artist.

Aired 5 October 1993

Johnny Cash sings ""Don't Take Your Guns to Town.""

Aired 6 October 1993

Dave looks at new books for fall; Andy Dick returns as ""Donnie ... the CBS Page Who Likes to Suck Up.""

Aired 7 October 1993

Aired 8 October 1993

""Celebrities in the Audience"" makes its first appearance on the new show, as guests from previous shows are introduced in the crowd -- Glenn Close, Sylvester Stallone, Jerry Lewis, Jimmy Carter, Siskel & Ebert and Bob Borden.

Aired 11 October 1993

Aired 12 October 1993

Aired 13 October 1993

Aired 14 October 1993

Aired 15 October 1993

Aired 18 October 1993

Aired 19 October 1993

Aired 20 October 1993

Aired 21 October 1993

Aired 22 October 1993

Aired 25 October 1993

Aired 26 October 1993

Aired 27 October 1993

Aired 28 October 1993

Aired 29 October 1993

Aired 1 November 1993

Aired 2 November 1993

Aired 3 November 1993

Aired 4 November 1993

Natalie Merchant - ""Because the Night""

Aired 5 November 1993

Aired 8 November 1993

Aired 9 November 1993

Aired 10 November 1993

Mary Tyler Moore treats Late Show viewers to a video clip of Dave from her 1978 variety show, ""Mary,"" in which she smashes a grapefruit in Dave's face. Also, Dave, Biff, Gaines, Anton and Laurie Diamond get their teeth cleaned.

Aired 11 November 1993

Aired 12 November 1993

Aired 15 November 1993

Aired 16 November 1993

Aired 17 November 1993

Aired 18 November 1993

Aired 19 November 1993

Aired 22 November 1993

""Meet the Neighbors,"" conclusion: The outside cam goes to K & L's Rock America to see Mujibur Rahman and Sirajul Islam, and Dave has them round up Bart Dadon, Fern Chapnick, Rupert Jee, Alexandra Mitsakis and Charlie Levy from the nearby stores and businesses.

Aired 23 November 1993

Aired 24 November 1993

Aired 25 November 1993

Throughout the night, Calvert reports from the parade; as he does every year, Dave guesses what pies his mother made this Thanksgiving; Gabriel Byrne plugs ""Point of No Return.""

Aired 26 November 1993

Aired 29 November 1993

In ""Bad Phone Call,"" Dave calls the father of Michelle Polikas to tell him she's living with Bob Howard. Also, Dave takes two suckers away from Angel the camera man, and he gives them to Bob and Michelle.

Aired 30 November 1993

Mandy Patinkin drops by (along with Tony Randall), and asks for rehearsal time. Before Dave gets a chance to say no, Mandy and the CBS Orchestra perform a fully-arranged ""Rockabye Your Baby.""

Aired 1 December 1993

Aired 2 December 1993

Dave buys Paul a fake Rolex off the street; Chris Elliott is on hand for the world premiere of his surrealist art film ""The Traveling Poet.""

Aired 3 December 1993

Aired 13 December 1993

Aired 14 December 1993

Aired 15 December 1993

Aired 16 December 1993

Aired 17 December 1993

Dave visits some handwriting analysts; Rush Limbaugh promotes his new book.

Aired 20 December 1993

Aired 21 December 1993

Aired 22 December 1993

Aired 23 December 1993

Aired 27 December 1993

Aired 28 December 1993

Aired 29 December 1993

Dave comments on FOX taking away CBS' NFL coverage; strongman Dennis ""Mighty Mite"" Rogers lifts weights.

Aired 30 December 1993

Aired 31 December 1993

Aired 3 January 1994

Aired 4 January 1994

Aired 5 January 1994

Aired 6 January 1994

Chris Elliott performs the title song from ""Cabaret;"" legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman follows with a rendition of ""Danse Espagnole."" After Perlman's performance, Dave wants to go backstage and slap Chris.

Aired 7 January 1994

Aired 10 January 1994

Aired 11 January 1994

The ghost of Ed Sullivan introduces trampoline star Tom Boleen; Troy Aikman throws footballs into cabs on Broadway, and later, from a trampoline.

Aired 12 January 1994

Aired 13 January 1994

George Carlin promotes his new sitcom; Calvert drops by as ""The Guy Who Thinks Dave's Name is Randy.""

Aired 14 January 1994

Aired 17 January 1994

Aired 18 January 1994

Aired 19 January 1994

Dave gets dragged by a cab; the cast of ""Cats"" runs into the Ed Sullivan Theater to take a bow.

Aired 20 January 1994

Aired 21 January 1994

Aired 31 January 1994

Concrete Blonde – ""Mexican Moon""

Aired 1 February 1994

Aired 2 February 1994

Dave comments on the upcoming Winter Olympics in Norway; staff members Debbie Drimmer, Rick Scheckman and John Beckerman tell all about their vacations last week.

Aired 3 February 1994

Aired 4 February 1994

Peter Frampton sits in; Dave discusses Clinton's health care plan with a group of cab drivers; seven-year-old sheep handler Amanda Archiletta does an on-stage demonstration.

Aired 7 February 1994

Aired 8 February 1994

Aired 9 February 1994

Aired 10 February 1994

Aired 11 February 1994

Aired 14 February 1994

Aired 15 February 1994

James - ""Laid""

Aired 16 February 1994

Throughout the night, champion canines from the Westminster Dog Show walk across the stage; Dorothy does a little shopping in Lillehammer.

Aired 17 February 1994

Dorothy interviews Tommy Moe; Phil Hartman promotes Greedy.

Aired 18 February 1994

David Sanborn sits in with the band; Dave surveys residents of Scotch Plains, NJ about the Olympics; Bebe Neuwirth promotes ""Damn Yankees"" and her anticipated guest appearance on ""Frasier.""

Aired 21 February 1994

Dave proposes marriage on behalf of an audience member; UB40 performs ""Higher Ground.""

Aired 22 February 1994

Aired 23 February 1994

Two guys pretending to be Dave and Paul ice skate; Laurence Fishburne promotes Searching for Bobby Fischer.

Aired 24 February 1994

Aired 25 February 1994

Dorothy recaps her two weeks in Lillehammer; Michael J. Fox promotes Greedy.

Aired 28 February 1994

Aired 1 March 1994

Aired 2 March 1994

Aired 3 March 1994

Aired 4 March 1994

Aired 14 March 1994

Aired 15 March 1994

Aired 16 March 1994

Aired 21 March 1994

Dave shows an anonymous gift (Jonathan Estrada, maybe?) of a block of cheese shaped like Oklahoma. Also, up-and-coming singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow performs ""Leaving Las Vegas.""

Aired 22 March 1994

Ten cabbies present the Top Ten; Diane Sawyer sneaks in footage of Dave from his weatherman days; Chris Elliott shows a clip from his new movie ""Poolside Ecstasy.""

Aired 23 March 1994

""New Pharmaceuticals"" include ""Hot 'n' Spicy Tylenol,"" ""L'eggs Metal Pipe Resistant Pantyhose,"" and ""Nipsey's Own Anti-Bacterial Ointment."" Regis interrupts the segment to tell Dave he's not even trying anymore. Also, during her annual Oscars special, Barbara Walters makes Dave cry.

Aired 28 March 1994

New York native Gurnek Basanti drives his cab into the theater; Dave devours an entire tub of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter.

Aired 29 March 1994

Dave brags about the birth of his nephew; Buck Henry promotes his new book.

Aired 30 March 1994

""Can a Guy in a Bear Suit Get into the Hard Rock Cafe?"" Apparently, he can do it with ease, but ""Can a Guy in a Bear Suit Get into the Russian Tea Room?"" Without hesitation, our hero gets a table for one.

Aired 31 March 1994

Dave watches a live feed of himself watching the show at home while he's taping the show in the theater. Shots include toasting waffles, crying to Kenny Rogers music, milking a goat, and bothering Dan Rather. Also, Madonna drops by to plug her new album, spews profanities with aplomb, then refuses to leave.

Aired 1 April 1994

A day after Madonna arouses/grosses out the American viewing public by, among other things, offering Dave her underwear, Charles Grodin comes on the show tonight to offer his. Later, musical guest Elvis Costello and the Attractions perform ""13 Steps Lead Down,"" and the nerd-rocker gives Dave his sock.

Aired 4 April 1994

Dave can't seem to remove his shoe, and with no shoehorn available, he runs outside and asks a cab driver to run over his foot.

Aired 5 April 1994

Aired 6 April 1994

Paul Newman jumps out of the audience, claiming to take a powder when he learns that Madonna won't be on. Instead, he walks across Broadway to see Cats.

Aired 7 April 1994

Shortly after a baseball-themed Top Ten, Dave goes on a brief rant about how overpaid the players are.

Aired 8 April 1994

Tonight marks the Late Show debut of ""The Strong Guy, the Fat Guy, the Genius,"" which pits three men of said traits against each other in various undertakings. Of the three rounds of play, they each win one competition.

Aired 18 April 1994

Mujibur and Sirajul make a visit to Mickey the barber, and they promptly receive free haircuts. Soon afterwards, Don Rickles goes in for a trim. Also, Liz Phair (in her first appearance on the show) performs ""Never Said.""

Aired 19 April 1994

""Rejected FDA Items"" include Medicated Pringles, Tic-Tacs with Real Ticks and Tacks, Deodorant with Raisins, Milk with Adjustable Dates, and Madonna Soap; Lyle Lovett and Al Green perform ""Funny How Time Slips Away.""

Aired 20 April 1994

During Mailbag, Dave discusses a certain much-publicized divorce with ""Roseanne Arnold"" (Gerard). Later, he chats with Boston Marathon winner Uta Pippig.

Aired 21 April 1994

Dave names Jimmy Johnson as the new head coach of the show; Ellen DeGeneres promotes ""These Friends of Mine.""

Aired 22 April 1994

Future Dave lead-in Tom Snyder promotes his new (and ultimately doomed) Larry King-style cable talk show.

Aired 25 April 1994

Dave notices an empty seat in the third row, so he brings in a guy from outside to fill it.

Aired 26 April 1994

Dave finds a stray blue card on his desk and returns it to Regis and Kathie Lee. Also, Gin Blossoms perform ""Hey Jealousy.""

Aired 27 April 1994

Donny Osmond and Calvert star in the Late Show's version of the Menendez Brothers' life story.

Aired 28 April 1994

Dave tries to wake up and gets soaked with Gatorade; Tony Randall helps Mandy Patinkin practice a musical number; Dave ""grills"" seven-year-old hole expert Daniel Lowe.

Aired 29 April 1994

Dave harasses hotel doormen, and later he chats with NFL draft pick Dan Wilkinson.

Aired 2 May 1994

The outside cam heads to Times Square, during which Dave invites passerby Amy Butler in to co-host. Later in the show, Dave and Amy reflect on the wonderful weather (he's really just flirting with her).

Aired 3 May 1994

Dave gets a parking ticket; Robin Williams promotes ""Comic Relief VI.""

Aired 4 May 1994

Throughout the night, we have an assortment of ""Happy Endings,"" providing a satisfying coda to unusual situations. Also, Dave shows a sample of the new ""Caning Strength Bufferin.""

Aired 5 May 1994

Dave brings out 70 cases of Gatorade that were received after the stunt in Show #149. Later, he goes up to his office to watch the CBS Evening News.

Aired 6 May 1994

Dave discusses politics with a bunch of cabbies; Chris Farley demonstrates his physically demanding comedy routine; Sharon Stone waltzes with one of the cabbies.

Aired 9 May 1994

Dave takes his show to LA for the first time since 1985. Dave throws a pencil into a wading pool that's behind his desk, and a dog retrieves it. Dave then gets into the pool to give the pencil to the dog. Later, another pencil is retrieved from the pool by Billy Crystal; ""Mayor Richard Riordan"" (Calvert) presents the Top Ten; Ray Charles performs ""What'd I Say?""

Aired 10 May 1994

L.A., Day 2: Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda is seen gulping down Slim-Fast; Dodgers pitchers Orel Hershiser, Roger McDowell, Tom Candiotti and Jim Gott hurl fastballs toward the camera.

Aired 11 May 1994

LA, Day 3: Dave ends the show early, and then flies back to New York. Paul finds him working the cashier at K&L Rock America, so they bring Mujibur and Sirajul to CBS Television City. Also, Richard Simmons sabotages the Top Ten list because he thinks it's insulting.

Aired 12 May 1994

L.A., Day 4: It's time for ""Los Angeles Souvenirs,"" including a Fabio Lawn Gnome, Record Industry Weasel Magazine, and a Honk-If-You've-Slept-with-Madonna bumper sticker. ""Madonna"" (Calvert) walks by to tell Dave he's/she's offended, and slaps him.

Aired 13 May 1994

A very special guest presents the Top Ten (see recap); Bette Midler performs ""Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.""

Aired 16 May 1994

Travis Tritt performs ""Foolish Pride,"" while Harvey Pekar actually censors himself, much to Dave's chagrin.

Aired 17 May 1994

Dave finally has his photos from LA developed, and an audience guys helps him display the photos on the Times Square Jumbotron. Later in the show, all of tonight's guests (Slash, James Carville, and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth) also have their photos taken for the Jumbotron.

Aired 18 May 1994

It's time for more celebrities in the audience, including Michael J. Fox, Jerry Seinfeld, Paul Shaffer, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Bill Cobsy. Also, Carol Burnett promotes her made-for-TV movie Seasons of the Heart.

Aired 19 May 1994

Dave quizzes the audience on last week's trip to LA.

Aired 20 May 1994

Dave freshens up by walking outside the theater, towards a hot dog vendor, and washing his face in the dirty hot dog water. Also, Creepy Dave drops by annoy Dave again: ""What's up?""

Aired 23 May 1994

Dave makes another bad phone call for an audience member; Rick Moranis promotes The Flintstones, and his interview is interrupted by co-star John Goodman; Tony cleans Dave's desk.

Aired 24 May 1994

Dave is missing his opening ""billboard"" card with tonight's guests listed on them, so he leaves the theater, goes to the NBC Nightly News studio and gets it from a confused Tom Brokaw.

Aired 25 May 1994

Dave finds a sports reporter from Indianapolis outside and invites him in; Dave launches ""Top Ten Plus,"" the quicker and more efficient Top Ten list; after Dave mocks a magazine with the headline ""Sweat with Fabio,"" the male model drops a sandbag on the desk, and Dave throws him out of the theater.

Aired 26 May 1994

Jets take off at JFK Airport; Rosie O'Donnell promotes The Flintstones.

Aired 27 May 1994

Dave helps Nancy Agostini find an apartment in the city; The Pretenders perform ""Night in My Veins.""

Aired 6 June 1994

Dave escorts the Stand-by Audience (all 40 of 'em) to a restaurant a few blocks away from the Ed Sullivan Theater. He later invites sailors in the audience to visit FlashDancers across the street.

Aired 7 June 1994

Dave hands out ""Warning Label"" props to the audience; another ""CBS Special Report"" finds Alan Richardson reporting on his socks.

Aired 8 June 1994

Dave's coffee is cold, so he goes out and warms it himself with a taxi battery; George Miller comments on today's solar eclipse; Dave picks a dead fly off his sport coat.

Aired 9 June 1994

An audience member plays a staged version of ""The Price is Right,"" and wins a can of flour. Also, Michael Buffer fills in for Billy Wendell, announcing tonight's guests (not to mention Paul and the flour guy) with his distinct baritone.

Aired 10 June 1994

Mujibur and Sirajul begin their Coast-to-Coast Tour, leaving NYC on a private jet; Keanu Reeves promotes Speed; Dave interviews David Brenner about his new radio show, and oddly enough, Dave will be David's first guest on his radio show premiere the next day.

Aired 13 June 1994

On their first leg of the Coast-to-Coast Tour, Mujibur and Sirajul report from Niagra Falls, saluting the US flag. Paul says the idea ""looked great on paper."" Also, Dave chats with Hakeem Olajuwon of the NBA Champion Houston Rockets.

Aired 14 June 1994

Dave selects two audience members to receive tickets to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Marv Albert hands out the tickets and shows a hockey blooper.

Aired 15 June 1994

Three members of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers drop by, and later they let Morty take a picture of the Cup.

Aired 16 June 1994

Jon Lovitz laments the demise of ""The Critic;"" Sandra Bullock promotes Speed.

Aired 23 June 1994

Stone Temple Pilots – ""Vasoline""

Aired 20 June 1994

Aired 21 June 1994

Aired 22 June 1994

After a technical error prevents it from being performed the previous night, Dave presents the rest of the ""NBA Finals Quiz."" Now feeling a little queasy due to all the stress of the past two nights, Dave points out that he has a body double that will stand in for him when the time comes for him to get medical attention. Also, Dan Rather sings ""Wreck of the Old 97.""

Aired 24 June 1994

John Mellencamp – ""Wild Night""

Aired 27 June 1994

On their latest stop, Mujibur and Sirajul get serenaded by Tom Jones in Las Vegas. Wondering who's been operating K&L Rock America while they've been gone, Dave finds Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert running the shop in their place.

Aired 28 June 1994

Barbra Streisand walks on the set and gives Dave two tickets to her show at Radio City Music Hall. Dave gives them away to a woman in the audience.

Aired 29 June 1994

""Coast to Coast with Mujibur and Sirajul"" -- tonight, they're fly-fishing in Madison Valley, Montana, with their teaching guide, Craig.

Aired 30 June 1994

In a spoof of Home Shopping Network, Dave sells ""Dave and Paul Collection Plates,"" giving out the phone number of head writer Rob Burnett. Also, Dave invites Megan and Tim, a couple from Kansas City, in from the storm, gives them towels to dry off, and offers them seats by the spiral stairway, where they stay throughout the show.

Aired 1 July 1994

Aired 4 July 1994

Dave takes a cue card from Tony Mendez, re-reads a joke and then has the cue card passed around the audience. Later, Calvert DeForest dresses up as Barbra Streisand and performs ""The Way We Were,"" and guest Richard Simmons sings a patriotic medley.

Aired 5 July 1994

Aired 6 July 1994

Dave leaves the show after the monologue and heads upstairs to read Wresting Magazine with his face in a mud mask, and Paul retrieves him. Later, famed soccer commentator Andres Cantor repeats his most famous line to Dave: ""ggoooooooooaaaaaaallllll!""

Aired 7 July 1994

The Runaway Camera is roaming the streets of New York City, getting squeegied, hit by a bike, down a manhole, running into Rupert Jee, and going into ""Cats"" and ""Flashdancers."" Later, in dueling clips, Dave shows embarassing clips of Tom Hanks from ""The Love Boat,"" ""Taxi,"" and ""Happy Days."" Tom retaliates with an embarassing clip of Dave from ""Mork and Mindy.""

Aired 8 July 1994

Aired 18 July 1994

Dave returns to outside the Today Show set and displays his sign: ""Happy 100th Birthday, Willard""; in honor of the 25th anniversary of the moon landing, we see Dave accomplishing the same feat; Midnight Oil performs ""Sometimes.""

Aired 19 July 1994

Ricki Lake promotes her supporting role in the upcoming Cabin Boy; Gary Sinise plugs Forrest Gump.

Aired 20 July 1994

""Can a Guy in a Bear Suit Say Hello on a N. Y. C. Pay Phone?"" The answer? Mais oui! Also, one of the all-time great Stupid Pet Tricks makes a triumphant return when Kevin Dechico and his dog ""Air Buddy"" shoot hoops onstage.

Aired 21 July 1994

Cold opening: Kenny Rogers tells Dave when to hold ‘um and when to fold ‘um. Dave also stops the show midway through to just kick back in his chair and relax, then reflect on the show thus far.

Aired 22 July 1994

Aired 25 July 1994

Dave fills up a pothole outside the studio with joke cards; Jim Carrey's limo is towed away.

Aired 26 July 1994

The pothole Dave filled up with blue joke cards the previous night is sealed by none other then Mayor Guiliani; the pothole is danced upon by several fabulous babes performing Rockette-style kicks; Gin Blossoms and Kiss perform ""Christine Sixteen.""

Aired 27 July 1994

A severed head perks out of the pothole; a doctor stands in the backdrop in case Dave suddenly becomes sick during the show; Sirajul asks a group of fishermen in South Dakota what they think of hometown boy Tom Brokaw.

Aired 28 July 1994

Dave comments on Tony's cue card work, then makes a bad phone call for an audience member with mother issues.

Aired 29 July 1994

Aired 1 August 1994

Aired 2 August 1994

Dave attends the Whitewater Hearings; up-and-coming starlet Cameron Diaz promotes ""The Mask""; Dave finally chats with Stevie Nicks (whose manager Dave criticized several years before).

Aired 3 August 1994

The show is interrupted all night long by (bogus) CBS News special reports by anchor Alan Richardson, who sings, is beaten up by a bus driver, pitches Mountain Dew and swears about the prime lending rate.

Aired 4 August 1994

After Dave sings a horrible rendition of ""Oklahoma,"" Paul demands to hear a better version. Soon after, John and Bonnie Raitt come on stage to show Dave how it's done.

Aired 5 August 1994

Aired 8 August 1994

Dave and model Inna Mirovich toss back some vodka. Later, Howard Stern admits that he had to drop out of the New York governor's race because he refused to reveal his yearly income.

Aired 9 August 1994

Aired 10 August 1994

Dave looks at ""What's On Other Channels;"" the Smothers Brothers perform.

Aired 11 August 1994

Aired 12 August 1994

Aired 15 August 1994

Aired 16 August 1994

Rupert brings soup to tonight's guests; Dave reflects on the Michael Jackson-Lisa Marie Presley wedding.

Aired 17 August 1994

Aired 18 August 1994

Aired 19 August 1994