The BEST episodes of Late Night With David Letterman season 1
Every episode of Late Night With David Letterman season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Late Night With David Letterman season 1!
David Letterman hosted this popular late-night comedy/talk-show. Often, Dave would go on location or to the phone lines to play pranks. Some famous features of the show include the "Top Ten" lists and "Stupid Pet Tricks" (complete with slow-mo). Fans of the show will also remember Dave's use of unusual camera placements (Sky-Cam, Guest-Cam, etc.) and Dave's supporting cast (Paul Shaffer, Chris Elliott, Larry Bud Melman). Many famous guests and bands appeared on the show.
#1 - Bill Murray, Mr. Wizard
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/1/1982
#2 - Show #0001
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/1/1982
The show opens with a haunting intro by NYC-based character actor Calvert Deforest; the NBC Peacock girls introduce Dave; throughout the night, a welding demonstration is held backstage; Dave gives a tour of the backstage area; Bill Murray dances to Olivia Newton-John's hit "Physical"; “Shame of the City”; Dave and Don "Mr. Wizard" Herbert experiment with air compression; Steve Fessler recites lines from the movie "Bowery at Midnight”; Dave gives an office tour to a man named Stanley and a cameraman.
#3 - Show #0099
Season 1 - Episode 112 - Aired 8/2/1982
#4 - Jessica Savitch, Simon Bond
Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/22/1982
#5 - Show #0100
Season 1 - Episode 113 - Aired 8/3/1982
#6 - Show #0101
Season 1 - Episode 114 - Aired 8/4/1982
#7 - Show #0102
Season 1 - Episode 115 - Aired 8/5/1982
#8 - Show #0005
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/8/1982
As Walter Fairservis, a professor of Anthropology, drones on about his academic interests, a split-screen exposes Dave's hidden thoughts on how this interview is going. Also, a "man on the street"-type segment finds that the populace of New York City couldn't care less if the Empire State Building were demolished.
#9 - Show #0008
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/11/1982
Paul introduces the members of his as-yet-named house band; as a Valentine's Day tribute, Harve Mann sings a medley of television theme songs.
#10 - Linda Ellerbee, Harold Ramis
Season 1 - Episode 84 - Aired 7/24/1982
#11 - Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, Mary Tyler Moore (walkon from Live at 5), Fran Liebowitz
Season 1 - Episode 85 - Aired 7/25/1982
#12 - Mark Fydrich, Barbara Walters
Season 1 - Episode 86 - Aired 7/26/1982
#13 - Sandra Bernhard, Toots Thieleman, Julie Ridge
Season 1 - Episode 87 - Aired 7/27/1982
#14 - Pat Paulsen, Steve Tesich
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 2/2/1982
#15 - Terry Gilliam, Hank Aaron, Al Albert
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/3/1982
#16 - John Candy, Joe Flaherty
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/4/1982
#17 - Francis Ford Coppola
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/8/1982
#18 - John Houseman, Jake LaMotta, Dave Clark
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/9/1982
#19 - Albert Finney, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/10/1982
#20 - Bob & Ray
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/11/1982
#21 - Andy Rooney, Franklyn Ajaye
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 2/15/1982
#22 - Dick Cavett, Howard Smith
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 2/16/1982
#23 - Andy Kaufman, Fred Rogers, Julie Andrews
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/17/1982
#24 - Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Bob Zmuda , Martin Scorsese
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/18/1982