Late Show with David Letterman (1993–2015) User Reviews

Good late night entertainment

[mazunderscore · 7/10 · 11 April 2007]

As far as American talk show hosts go, I find David Letterman the least pretentious and the least fake out of all of them. He seems to mostly say what he thinks and not JUST for the sake of being shocking or funny.

Letterman is mostly a likable guy and can at times be very witty, and of course satirical, which is something about him (as indeed his writers) that I enjoy. Yes I know, he is at times cocky and a bit of a show pony, but he's a talk show host and he's meant to have a personality and in my opinion he's the best there is.

I enjoy the little sketches like "Great Presidential Speeches" and "Will it Float?," I always enjoy watching Biff Henderson's little adventures and of course hearing from the always wonderful, Alan Kalter.

It's a nice little piece of late night entertainment and while some episodes are obviously going to be better than others depending on the guests - you know you're always going to have a bit chuckle.

The Late Show is a classic

[safenoe · 7/10 · 23 September 2016]

If The Late Show was to be revived with another host, would it need to resort to celebrities singing endlessly in a car? Is that what the world of late night TV has come to? What would have happened if David succeeded Johnny Carson?

There was one Late Show episode I saw I think from the 90s, where a flight attendant, in response to a question from David Letterman, said something disparaging about the passengers, whispering (well loud enough for the audience in the Ed Sullivan Theater and everyone watching at home) that "they're the enemy!". The audience exploded in uneasy laughter, and then the flight attendant upon realizing her faux pas, wondered out loud that she could be in trouble for that, especially as she had already revealed the airline she worked for. I cannot recall the airline but I do wonder whatever happened to that flight attendant. To this day, does she regret her opinion on the customer on national TV?

great fun!

[weidelman · 5 January 2002]

"Late show with David Letterman" is in many ways superior to other talk shows in late night television. Even if Letterman is the main focus, and often tends to act a bit egocentric, he still (or perhaps it`s more correct to say that the writing does) includes many of the crew members in the sketches. This gives the show an excellent flavour of diversity, and make it even more outrageous and entertaining. The writing is very original and innovative, and is able to grasp with current events in a clever, and at the same time, plain crazy way that will make you burst out in laughter.

But of course, the most important person is Dave himself, a highly individual host with his own, unique style. He is by all due respect not a very good stand up comedian, and might sometimes seem quite uncomfortable delivering his jokes in the opening monologue, but he is well aware that this is not his strength, and keep it to a minimum, 3 or 4 minutes (as a comparison, Jay Leno`s monologues last for 10 minutes) Also considered harsh, sarcastic and unpredictable, Letterman is not loved by everyone, and these traits might sometimes make him a bit unhuman, but at the same time, his unpredictability is also his genius, and what makes him stand out from his fellowships.

His greatest strength is his exceptional ability to ad lib and deliver funny comments to almost any situation, and that is why the writing includes a lot of segments where the camera is capturing the life and people in New York City. In this way, Letterman can easily comment on what he observes and ask silly questions to the people on camera, and the fun will soon appear. Despite his reputation as a bad boy, he is a great ironic, and is able to joke with himself in a way that most comedians can`t. Still, he is just not goofing around all the time, and might appear quite serious when he is interviewing his guests with curios questions, especially those who have something to say.(unfortunately, not many do)

The music director Paul Shaffer plays a major part in the show, and functions as Lettermans sidekick with his funny, and some times not very well thought comments(and yes, i agree, he sometimes looks as a parody in his flamboyant suits) Their relationship is extremely established, and their chemistry is also fabulous, so it`s unthinkable to imagine anyone else as the music director. So, if you wan`t to watch a very special and imaginative talk show with a touch of pure genius, "The late show" is the right vehicle. And if you haven`t become a regular viewer yet, you better hurry up, because it`s hard to say for how long David will keep going. By all means, im not a prophet, but i will guarantee you that David Letterman is too unique to be replaced. Watch the show regularly, and you will understand what i mean.

Letterman is the king of talk shows

[Kingslaay · 9/10 · 13 May 2017]

For years David Letterman has brought a brand of comedy, innovation, intelligence to Late Night that is second to none. His shows were a treat to watch, you never got bored and were entertained. Dave delivered first class stand up or monologues day after day and showed hilarious segments. My favorite will forever be the Great Moment in Presidential Speeches featuring the comical George W Bush. He brought the biggest names in show business and politics and always ran respectable interviews with the perfect dose of humor. It is hard to keep track of the comedic innovations the Late Show introduced such as people randomly interrupting his show to insult Letterman. His memorable top 10 and his frequent self depreciating humor simply endeared this brilliant man to audiences.

This show was everything and late night at its best. The new shows are good too and what you expect such as hip new segments but they do not have the charm, class and wit that Letterman delivered for years. Letterman was a joy to watch during holiday seasons and great to celebrate an occasion with.

I was sad like millions when he retired but I guess all good things come to an end.

More Funny Than Jay Leno!

[ShelbyTMItchell · 9/10 · 6 September 2013]

David when he moved from NBC to CBS brought his own dry witted and really talented sense of humor. Too bad that he did not get the Tonight Show on the former network. As ratings would had been very high for that show.

Still David can be a bit rude to his guests. But guess that is just the way he is. And how he can be in personality. Though he means no harm nor foul. Despite Jay Leno being nicer, David is still more funnier.

Jay brings in the older viewers while David brings in the 18-49+ viewers in key groups! Love Letterman though only have been seeing bits and parts lately of him in recent years.

The top ten reasons that I like this show.

[lee_eisenberg · 10/10 · 7 November 2006]

#10: David Letterman declared that 60% of everything that Bill O'Reilly says is crap.

#9: "Will It Float?"...would any of those babes float?

#8: His musical guests have included Ringo Starr and The Temptations.

#7: Nodody gets away clean on his show.

#6: As a Bush supporter, he rips at Bush as much as possible.

#5: Paul Shaffer and The CBS Orchestra always have some great music in store.

#4: David Letterman once hosted the Oscars.

#3: I haven't seen any of the episodes where other people host (how can you fill in for Dave?).

#2: The jokes work, no matter which era we live in.

And the #1 reason that I like the "Late Show with David Letterman": The top ten list.

Letterman's been stale for a long time

[mattq1966 · 4/10 · 10 February 2014]

Letterman used to be cutting-edge brilliant and creative in the 80's and early 90s. The Alka-Seltzer suit, the Velcro suit, stupid pet/human tricks, the top ten list were all wonderful and fresh.

To my eye, he's been phoning it in for at least ten years now. There's rarely anything new. He's also become way more political, that's the one area where he's done new things, but it doesn't work. I happen to agree with his political views, but the way he presents them just seems angry and alienates half his potential audience. He's much more likely to take a swing at a Republican politician and that in itself makes him way more predictable.

On a positive note, I have to say he's become a lot less caustic and abrasive with most of his guests, listening and having intelligent dialogue. The interviews are the one area where I think he's improved. Overall, though, a staleness hangs over the show.

When he was fighting to keep his audience after the extortion and sex scandal, he got edgy and good for a few months. Then when he was safe he drifted back to what he'd been doing. He really needs to retire because he's not offering the viewer anything new.

Best daily show with David Letterman

[crash21 · 9/10 · 29 June 2015]

When I heard that David Letterman was leaving the Late Show (after watching it for several years) I was nearly crying. Especially when I saw it get replaced with (of all things!) CSI? I will admit, The Late Show got lame in the end, but I say that was more from their depression on leaving the show. As others have said, I have never understood why everyone seems to talk about Jay Leno's "Tonight Show", because David Letterman was the best! Especially with the show's band with Paul Shaffer. Letterman had some of the best daily jokes, along with the more serious (and entertaining) story discussions.

Sadly, the new Late Show with Stephen Colbert is just plain awful, I thought NBC's new "Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" was much better than this.

I say The Late Shows were a big part of what keeps our country running correctly. You don't have to agree with every comment, but it makes people actually think about things, and not just make random guesses.

We want to see "The Late Show" back with David Letterman, or at least the show with a better planned host replacement! Someone go get the Delorean time-machine to change this back.

Not Funny

[[e-mail] · 5/10 · 15 October 2005]

After watching him lionized in the movie "Late Shift" I started watching David Letterman regularly, prepared to be entertained by an intelligent and witty humorist. What I saw instead was a very smug and self-satisfied performer who seemed to accept his rock star idolization as his due, and, in addition to having a disconcerting resemblance to Richard Nixon, was simply not funny. His monologues were short, wooden, and despite often receiving an explosive response from his adoring audience, were seldom humorous. I kept tuning him in, always imagining that I had previously caught him on a bad night, only to see my initial judgment reinforced over and over again. Not only was Letterman himself not funny, but he seemed bored and impatient with the show itself, as if he felt put upon even to perform. The strange thing is that the show itself is in many ways superior to Leno's Tonight Show - certainly the repartee between Letterman and his band leader lacks the embarrassing, almost pathetic quality of Leno's many vain attempts to make Kevin Eubanks seem witty. The skits are often cleverer than Tonight's heavy handed mockery of both public figures and ordinary Americans. Yet ultimately the program must rise or fall on the strength of its star, and here the laconic Letterman cannot hold a candle to the hyperactive laugh-a-second Leno. In the final analysis, Late Night with David Letterman doesn't work because David Letterman just isn't funny. And oddly enough, he seems to know it.

Dave is turning back to the old Dave!

[SandraD82 · 4 February 2005]

I have been a big Letterman fan for years. I would tape shows when I was only 13, never missed a show. I agree that Letterman had his years where you could tell he felt like a failure and didn't put much into it. But I will add that he is much more real than Jay Leno. Jay Leno is your typical phony talk show host. You really saw how real Dave is if you saw his show on January 31, 2005 remembering Johnny Carson. I saw both his and Leno's shows on Johnny. Jay seemed much more scripted and fake. This was probably due to how the death of Johnny Carson hit the two, being that Dave was close with Johnny. (Johnny even wrote jokes in retirement and sent them to Dave to use). I have noticed lately that Dave's comedy is turning back around to the old Dave. Hopefully he realizes that he is appreciated and keeps up the turn around!

A barrel of laughs

[Quinoa1984 · 10/10 · 27 April 2000]

The Late Show with David Letterman is a great ensemble for comedy and other stuff. On this show, we watch as he makes commentary (sometimes racist, sometimes off-color) that is always funny. Also, his legendary top ten list never gets old with a new one for each night. That plus his guests, and other skits make this a great show. A++

A fantastic talk show.

[mirosuionitsaki2 · 9/10 · 2 August 2007]

Wow, never thought I'd review a talk show but.. Jay Leno isn't that great, guys. If you've watched Jay Leno instead of David Letterman, watch David Letterman. He's just the best talk show ever. He's funny, smart, and brings great guests onto the show. Almost all of them I like and know.

I heard that he was fired from his other show because Jay Leno took over so he started this show because he was angry at Leno and wanted to compete. Well, hes competing and winning. I don't really know much what to say because this is just a talk show so.. Yeah.

I don't David Letterman ever takes a break. He has done the show since 1993 and is still keeping the spirit of doing talk shows and entertaining everyone. What I think was my favorite guest he did was probably Madonna when she was cussing. Although, It was probably in his other show but that was just funny. What I thought was the worst was the one with Marilyn Manson. David Letterman looked so bored and stressed because Marilyn was just so uninteresting.

Awesome Late Night Television

[FiendishDramaturgy · 9/10 · 11 April 2007]

As the host trained by Carson, Letterman should have inherited the Tonight Show. He was groomed for it, and CBS was darned lucky to get him. David Letterman's charm and style is both unique and legendary. His gimmicks are creative, and his presentation is stylish, but as a host, he knows how to make the guest comfortable enough to annihilate those uncomfortably silent moments so prevalent on other shows.

Letterman is the new Carson. America tunes in to him as they close their day and begin to wind down for the night. His name and the prestige he bears draws a great many big named stars, while he touches on all the current issues of our world.

Letterman is a special person, and deserves all the success in the world.

His show rates a 9.4/10 on the TV Scale from...

the Fiend :.

This show may cause brain damage

[The_Only_Man_Who_Can · 1/10 · 19 May 2006]

As a UK citizen, I had never had the misfortune to see an episode of this 'talk show' as it was on digital and I haven't upgraded yet. However, for reasons I won't go into it is now part of my job to watch the show for research purposes. I don't think I can last much longer.

It is almost impossible to verbalise how irritating this show is. The 'jokes' are non-existent, with each punchline scuppered with, erm-ah, the-ah timing of David's delivery. Every time the audience laughs I wonder what kind of funny-gas has been pumped into the studio.

Things are made worse by the visually stagnant way in which the show is filmed. Nearly the entire show is locked into one mid-shot of David at his desk. Even when he's talking to his house band we are rarely afforded a glance at who he is talking to, with a sinister high-pitched voice off camera underlining every sentence spoken by David: 'Oh! Uh-huh. Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaah.' When I first saw this show I thought I was hearing David's self-congratulatory inner thoughts through the mic he has on his desk. Instead, its a bald guy with sunglasses (is he blind? I'm afraid to ask) who pats David on the back at every opportunity.

The smugness of this show is suffocating, especially to new viewers such as myself who haven't witnessed anything to warrant their inflated opinion of themselves. I was hoping against hope that perhaps Letterman's interview technique was second to none, but yet again I was disappointed: they are as vapid and un-illuminating as the rest of the show. At no time are the guests asked anything more searching than what they had for lunch earlier. It may be just a cultural difference, but I prefer the cheekiness of UK talk-show hosts like Johnathan Ross etc. who manage to get under the skin of his guest through humour so that we get to know more about them than another well-rehearsed anecdote.

Unfortunately, there seems no way to make it stop. Its my job to keep watching this forever. I am in hell.

Letterman is the best !!!!!

[djjas_79 · 10/10 · 6 May 2006]

What more can I say?? Dave is witty sharp and very very funny. He beats Leno into a cocked hat. The key for me is that he never has to try to be amusing it just seems to occur naturally. Dave Letterman is a rare talent. As for comments about when Dave should retire well I am sure that the man himself is shrewd enough to know when to bow out gracefully. Hopefully it wont be for sometime yet. It is worth mentioning Paul Schaffer as well here because the chemistry between host and band leader is always amusing. Both men are capable of spontaneity and this makes for such entertaining dialogue. Keep up the good work Dave (and Paul).

Needs to Retire

[bull-frog · 3/10 · 5 February 2007]

I don't see how CBS pays Letterman $30 million a year. This guy's jokes are so boring and redundant. Every show has the stupid Will-It-Float, George Bush making a speech scene, and the Rupert deli owner interview. And I always wondered who writes the Top Ten list - they are so damn lame. I also heard that the audience is told beforehand to laugh, whether the jokes are funny or not. That's ridiculous!

I know that most celebrities are leftest but Letterman makes it is so damn apparent. I'm no fan of George W, but his constant bashing of him is so obvious. On every show, Letterman shows the "great" speeches made by JFK and FDR and then all of a sudden shows Bush stumbling or saying something stupid during his speech. And him "inviting" Bill O'Reilly for an interview and making a mockery of him in front of a national audience. Absolutely classless.

Ten years ago, I remembered watching a couple episodes of the Late Show thinking this guy's jokes were getting old. Today, I'm even more shocked that he's still on.

Letterman reliably entertaining

[pperrone · 5 February 2003]

I'm "only" 34 but I've been watching Letterman since I was about 13. He in fact has one of the few shows I can tolerate to watch on TV. I can always count on him to be entertaining. He clearly has it down to a science now and doesn't deviate much from his standard ritual whereas years ago it was always something new and different. That said, his ritual is actually reliably entertaining. Clearly one of the attractions to watching him for so long is the comfortable feeling one has with having the same show play around the same time of night for so many years. Of course, now I use TiVo. The bottom line is that Letterman is truly the best thing going for TV and is a reliably good and entertaining show.

Classic

[evolangel206 · 10/10 · 8 October 2022]

This show was a big part of the lil bit of happiness in my childhood into adolescent years. Glad David stuck with it as long as he did and I'll almost miss the routines & excitement for the next show! Most of the interviews were entertaining as they did not feel scripted or forced. He handled any awkward moments beautifully. So many guests you could tell were genuinely wanting to be there. Never felt like it was a waste to watch & always felt guilty if it was a rerun & I chose to watch Jay Leno that night. The "Top 10" list skits were so amusing and I absolutely loved the surprises they more often than not contained, like when a surprise guest popped out from behind the curtain to read them instead of it just being David (one of my faves was Eminem! <3) TV & especially late night is not the same anymore and will NEVER top what we experienced in the 80s & 90s (started in the 40s!!).

It's sad that this long national nightmare is over

[patrickfilbeck · 9/10 · 1 December 2021]

Letterman is easily one of the greatest showmen in history. Letterman is a fox of late night entertainment and is sorely lacking these days. It would be exciting to see how he dealt with the unspeakable wokeness culture in one of the most prestigious programs.

rarely funny...

[jared_huss · 3/10 · 12 January 2007]

Wow. I really don't like this show at all. Letterman is funny once or twice and that band leader is ugly and annoying. Leno is much better and tonight I just swapped to see how stupid this show was and I know its a joke and all, but he made fun of president Gerald Ford's death. That was very mean and very unnecessary. Letterman should not be making fun of someone else's death for his show. I don't see Leno doing that. Also, that band leader, whatever his name is, my god so annoying. I can not stand him nor him and his band singing. It sounds like a whole bunch of cats fighting. They really should not sing every title, it is very irritating. Well, my final rating. 3/10

more often boring than funny

[mheroin · 2/10 · 2 September 2007]

The Late Show with David Letterman is a show that has been on TV for way too long.

It would be OK it was funny but I just can't find any good humor in this show.

I find my self watching this show just staring whit out a smile on my mouth for way most of the time, thinking ohh was I suppose laugh there.

I rarely laugh or even smile when I watch this show, which is very seldom , but I keep hearing certain people not all, saying what a great show it is. Even when there is nothing at all on TV it is still better than The Late Show.

Little good to say about this show, and the top 10 list is not at all funny.

People keep saying that the Late Show with David Letterman is so much better than Jay Leno, NOT. I will take Headlines over top 10 any day

I give only 2 stars but I wonder why I give so many.

Letterman is king of Late Night.

[swat611 · 29 May 2003]

David Letterman is the king of Late Night TV. On the air now for 21 years, apporching 10 years as host of the "Late Show" on CBS. Leno is no match to Letterman, nor is Jimmy Kimmel on ABC. I feel like the "Late Show" has more class then other late night talk shows, though you might think not it at times. When Dave retires he will leave BIG shoes to fill.

Letterman Going Off The Deep End & Getting Worse

[DKosty123 · 4/10 · 12 June 2007]

David Letterman is a show with attitude, Lettermans attitude. UnFortunately his is usually right off target. Dave no longer realizes what his viewers want & dishes it out in generous portions. Johnny Carson is turning over in his grave as Letterman has long departed from what made Carson a success.

The problem which has developed is that Johnny Carson has died and he used to feed Lettermen jokes. Carson used to understand that there are lines you do not cross with humor. Letterman has lost that compass someplace.

A few years back, I would have thought that Letterman versus either Leno or Conan was a slam dunk. Now it appears it Letterman is getting slam dunked. I would say that maybe he is getting to retirement time, but the problem appears to be deeper than that. Dave has lost something & the only thing I can think of is Carson's wisdom & advice.

Still, CBS has never found another alternative for Late Night TV. Letterman is the first & only one CBS has found since running old movies. I shudder to think that "squirrels mating in a cage" & old movies could beat Conan, & then Conan can beat Letterman. The mighty has fallen. Can he come back, or will the squirrels be on CBS soon?

Riddle: How do you tell that Letterman is getting out of touch?

Answer: Dave tells another lame Sarah Palin joke.

Riddle : How Do you tell Letterman is getting enough touch?

Answer : He hasn't been hitting on his staff lately.

Riddle : Why is Letterman & Rachel Meadow (both white) talking racism on a recent show?

Answer: Ratings desperation, time for Letterman to step down.

Dave is the man.

[Poivoroinen · 24 February 2002]

I recently watched the Late Show when Janet Jackson was the guest. She had a very toppish top on that kind of embarrassed Dave. I laughed like never before. Despite him being embarrassed, he deliverd some lines that were simply perfect. "Need help with the zipper?" "I'm 54, I'm not used to these kind of things." Paul: "You have always loved fast women, Dave."

Well, Dave cracks Leno everytime. He is just more personal than mr standup.

WOW, The best talk-show EVER ~!

[jENNA007 · 7 June 2001]

David Letterman is a smart and insanely funny man. He's brought us this amazing show that has about a thousand unforgettable moments and a mouth-full of witty remarks. The thing I love about his show the most is that it has such an unpredictable-feel to it, its much much better than Leno, and any other talk-show I've seen. Letterman is great at being a talk-show host, its like he was born to do it. I also love Paul Shaffer, he is an awesome music director and a lot funnier than any other music director i have ever seen! I hope this show keeps going forever!! I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT ~!!