Late Show with David Letterman poster

TV series

Late Show with David Letterman

1993TV-PG22 seasons6.4 / 10

David Letterman uses mature humor to appeal to his audience in this weeknight series, which gets its music from a house band led by Paul Shaffer. Among the show's most-famous segments are the Top Ten List and Stupid Pet Tricks, the latter of which subsequently led to an additional recurring segment called Stupid Human Tricks.

Availability

Not streaming in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

Late Show with David Letterman premiered August 30, 1993. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.

Synopsis

David Letterman uses mature humor to appeal to his audience in this weeknight series, which gets its music from a house band led by Paul Shaffer. Among the show's most-famous segments are the Top Ten List and Stupid Pet Tricks, the latter of which subsequently led to an additional recurring segment called Stupid Human Tricks.

Season 14 episodes

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Episode 2

Zach Braff, Jeff Brendenburg, The Roots

Dave toys around with the new product from Apple Computers, the "I-Stinguisher"; a man in pajamas and a bathrobe asks Dave where he would find some coffee; writer Jeff Bredenberg promotes his book "Five Little Fixes"; The Roots perform "Here I Come."

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Episode 3

Snoop Dogg, Charlie Hill, OK Go

In honor of the show's 13th anniversary, an intern accidentally walks onstage to ask Dave to sign his own greeting card; live from Tracy, California, Ron Patrick drives around in a silver 2000 Volkwagen Bug with a 1,450-horsepower jet engine; Dave tries to interpret Snoop Dogg's "dizzle"-speak; OK Go performed "Here It Goes Again."

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Episode 4

Julianne Moore, radio-show hosts Opie and Anthony

Tony visits The Hamptons, where he complains about traffic; recently embarassed CNN anchor Kyra Phillips presents the Top Ten; 5,000 tennis balls are dropped onstage; Opie & Anthony promote their radio show.

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Episode 10

Johnny Knoxville, Rachael Ray

Johnny Dark measures Dave's inseam, much to his chagrin; while promoting "Ventriloquist Week" for the umpteenth time, Dave argues with his very own dummy; to mark the end of summer, four stagehands help explode beach balls on 53rd Street, then pour 300 gallons of sunblock off the roof.

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Episode 11

Dr. Phil McGraw, Willie Tyler and Lester, Sekou Bunch

Day 1 of Ventriloquist Week with Willie Tyler & Lester, plus Dr. Phil and "Survivor" castoff Sekou Bunch!

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Episode 12

Patrick Dempsey, Jay Johnson and Darwin, Kasabian

Ventriloquist Week, Day 2: Jay Johnson jokes about evolution while his primate friend Darwin sings "Send in the Clowns" in his "native" tongue; a safe is thrown out an 8th floor window onto a 1996 Buick LeSabre; Kasabian performed "Empire."

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Episode 15

LeBron James, Todd Oliver and Irving, Ludacris

Ventriloquist Week, Day 5: Todd Oliver has a conversation with his talking dog, Irving; Dave and Lebron James shoot baskets on 53rd Street; Ludacris performed "Money Maker."

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Episode 16

Ray Liotta, Elvis Costello & Tony Bennett, Billy Garcia

Throughout the night, several Late Show interns learn how to parallel-park; Dave looks into "A Day in the Life of Hugo Chavez"; Ray Liotta discusses meeting his biological family for the first time; Tony Bennett and Elvis Costello performed "Are You Havin' Any Fun Yet?"

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Episode 17

Billy Bob Thornton, Lily Capehart, Sean Lennon

Ten-year-old "lizard charmer" Lily Capehart puts her amphibian pets in doll costumes; Billy Bob Thornton promotes "The School for Scoundrels"; Sean Lennon performed "Wait For Me."

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Episode 26

Robin Williams, J.P. Calderon, Sam Moore with Wynonna

Hartford-based meterologist Scot Haney interrupts Dave with a teaser for his five-day forecast; Tony crudely illustrates how North Korea's recent nuclear test will affect the US; Robin Williams discusses rehab and promotes "Man of the Year"; Sam Moore and Wynonna Judd perform "I Can't Stand the Rain."

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Episode 31

Tom Arnold, Brian Regan, the latest "Survivor: Cook Islands" castaway

Tonights guests Tom Arnold, Brian Regan, Strongman Stan Drucker and "Survivor" castaways CaoBoi and Cristina Coria.

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Episode 32

Tina Fey, Mike Golic & Mike Greenberg, The Killers

Tourist "Todd Volk" plays "Find the Pumpkin" at Hello Deli; ESPN Radio's "Mikes in the Morning" discuss Terrell Owens; The Killers perform "When You Were Young."

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Episode 35

Bill O'Reilly, Jeff Altman, Tilly and the Wall

Dave shows off new photos of Harry; Dave Dorsett leaves his station to goof around with a sock puppet; Dave and Bill O'Reilly have another heated discussion about current events; Tilly and the Wall (making their network television debut) performed "Bad Education."

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Episode 38

Gary Sinise, Joanne Carson, Jim Norton

Dave plugs the upcoming Ball State-Michigan football game and promises to give a nickel to everyone that attends the game; Dave reads a letter from a fan pertaining to staff hostility; Joanne Carson (Johnny's second wife) discusses her collection of Truman Capote memorabilia.

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Episode 40

Martin Short, Kinky Friedman

Martin Short performs a song-and-dance number about the internet's role in his sexless marriage; country singer/novelist/gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman lays down his agenda for the state of Texas.

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Episode 41

Will Ferrell, Jack Hanna

Britney Spears drops by looking for Will Ferrell; at the end of his interview, Will ad-libs through a selection from "Phantom of the Opera"; Jack Hanna introduces Dave to Fluffy the python, the largest-known snake in captivity.

Episode credits

Guest stars Jack Hanna, Will Ferrell, Britney Spears

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Episode 42

Dustin Hoffman, Jamie Oliver, The Metropolitan Opera

Outgoing Defense Secretary "Donald Rumsfeld" (Gerard) fields questions from the audience; Jamie Oliver makes sausage carbonara; the Metropolitan Opera performs a selection from the upcoming production of "Il Barbiere di Siviglia."

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Episode 43

Kiefer Sutherland, Jenna Fischer, Rocco DeLuca

Live via satellite, Biff walks through a six-acre corn maze in Livermore, California. By the end of the show, Dave asks him if he's scared, prompting Biff to snap back, "It takes a lot more than this to scare me, man."

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Episode 44

Daniel Craig, documentary film subject Teri Horton, Elvis Costello, Rosanne Cash

Episode credits

Guest stars Daniel Craig, Teri Horton, Elvis Costello, Rosanne Cash

Where to watch Late Show with David Letterman

Episode 46

Jack Black & Kyle Gass, Fred Travalena, Tenacious D

Impressionist Week, Day 2: Frank Travalena closes his set by mimicing every president from Kennedy to Dubya. Also, Tenacious D (Jack Black and Kyle Gass) promote their new movie and perform "The Pick of Destiny" with the CBS Orchestra.

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Episode 51

Hugh Jackman, Chris Elliott, Jimmie Johnson

Tonight's "Rejected FDA Products" include Hebrew National Bacon, Frozen Mayonnaise Bars (which Dave tastes), and OJ Simpson's "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, But If I Did Believe It Was Butter, Here's How I Did It." Later, Chris Elliott and Gerard Mulligan promote their new paranormal documentary program, "Ghost Squad."

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Episode 53

Eugene Levy, John Mayer

Dave shows footage of the staff Thanksgiving dinner, which includes a drunk Biff telling off Dave and a turkey carver severing his hand; Dave correctly guesses that his mother made pumpkin pie but flubs on the next dessert (he said pecan, it was apple); John Mayer performs "I'm Gonna Find Another You."

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Episode 57

Richard Simmons, Kate Walsh, Ciara

A giant goat knocks over the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree; Andy Kindler visits the US Marshals Training Academy in Georgia; in his first Late Show appearance in six years, Richard Simmons introduces a food steamer he invented (which blows up in his face); Ciara performs "Promise."

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Episode 59

Danny DeVito, 16-year-old duct tape expert William Beacom, Silversun Pickups

Teen duct tape expert William Beacom shows off his sticky creations; Silversun Pickups performed "Lazy Eye."

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Episode 61

Howard Stern, Gwen Stefani

Tonight at Hello Deli, Dave and Rupert dare a (alleged) SUNY student from Queens to eat a Taco Bell chalupa; Howard Stern walks onstage in a Father Christmas outfit, giving out free Sirius radios to the audience; Gwen Stefani performs "Wind It Up."

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Episode 63

Will Smith, Evanescence

An irate staffer gives Dave a holiday-themed "f*** you"; "Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton" (Gerard) fields questions from the audience; Will Smith promotes The Pursuit of Happyness and discusses attending the Tom Cruise-Katie Holmes wedding.

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Episode 67

Renée Zellweger, holiday toy demonstration, Taking Back Sunday

A Yule Log is set up in front of Dave's desk, and later Dave and Renee Zellweger pose Christmas-photo style next to the green screen; Dave acknowledges Dave Dorsett's 41 years at CBS by giving him a tie; Shannon Eis' new holiday toys includes Butterscotch, an expensive animatronic pony that allegedly responds to touch but doesn't cooperate onstage; Taking Back Sunday performed "Liar (It Takes One To Know One)."

Episode credits

Guest stars Renée Zellweger

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Episode 69

Cate Blanchett, Jay Thomas, Darlene Love

Cate Blanchett and Darlene Love are tonight's guests. Plus, Jay Thomas and the 9th Annual Christmas Tree Football Toss!

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Episode 75

Penelope Cruz, Gary Mule Deer, Ben E. King

A woman from Chicago plays "Name That Smell" at Hello Deli; after vilifying Commonwealth Edison, Alan gets beaten up by one of their employees; Ben E. King performs "Stand By Me."

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Episode 77

Julianne Moore, Madonna, The Hold Steady

Videotape operator Tom Catusi apologizes for making a cheap shot at Mark McGwire; Madonna discusses her controversial adoption of a Malawian baby; Dave puts on a raincoat and promotes Gordon's Fish Sticks; The Hold Steady performs "Stuck Between Ready."

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Episode 78

Kristin Chenoweth, John Witherspoon, Josh Ritter

A Late Show Fun Fact: the actual Godzilla was only seven feet tall and was killed by Japanese soldiers within minutes; John Witherspoon describes a recent incident involving smoking a marijuana cigarette; Josh Ritter performed "Girl in the War."

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Episode 79

Amy Sedaris, Jason Randal, America with Ryan Adams & Ben Kweller

Dave acknowledges the 7th anniversary of his quintuple-bypass with a clip from "Sanford & Son"; magician Jason Randal wows Dave with a few more of his trademark card tricks; '70s soft-rockers America (featuring Ryan Adams and Ben Kweller) performed 'Ride On.'

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Episode 81

Tina Fey, Terri and Bindi Irwin

Tina Fey discusses the Golden Globes and explains why she hates Los Angeles; escape artist "Donnie Glenn" balks at being sealed in a milk can filled with water; Terri & Bindi Irwin (the widow and daughter of Steve Irwin) promote Australia Week 2007.

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Episode 82

Harry Shearer, Vera Farmiga, Mat Kearney

Dave promotes the new, improved Late Show web site; "El Nino" (Gerard) drops by to take a bow; Vera Farmiga promotes "Breaking and Entering"; Mat Kearney performs "Nothing Left to Lose."

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Episode 83

Dan Rather, Tricia Helfer, Andy Kindler

Dave comments on this winter's damaged citrus crop by opening a carton of "Tropicana Just Rind"; Tricia Helfer of "Battlestar Galactica" fame promotes her upcoming Playboy pictorial; seven pounds of marzipan are thrown into the "Will It Float" tank (it sinks).

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Episode 108

Charles Grodin, Dan Naturman

Dave reminisces about his teen years and shares an antedote about a ruined fur coat; Charles Grodin promotes his one-minute commentaries on CBS Radio and shows off some of his horse photography.

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Episode 109

Chris Rock, Sandra Oh, Amy Winehouse

Dave admits that he's never participated nor believes in Daylight Savings Time; Chris Rock promotes "I Think I Love My Wife"; Amy Winehouse performed "You Know I'm No Good."

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Episode 113

Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Danica Patrick, Todd Barry, Lucinda Williams

Fill-in host Adam Sandler (with assistance from his dog, Matzoball II) welcomes Don Cheadle, Danica Patrick, and Todd Barry as his guests. Lucinda Williams performs "Are You Alright?"

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Episode 114

Jack Black, Lara Logan, beer launching refrigerator creator John Cornwell

Tonight's "Great Moments in Presidental Speeches" clip is doctored to include Sue Hum using a lint brush on JFK's right arm; Duke University post-grad John Cornwell demonstrates his new invention, the beer-launching refrigerator; Jack Black shares an antedote about meeting Jack Nicholson; CBS chief foriegn correspondent Lara Logan discusses reporting from war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Episode 133

Steve Martin, Dave Cota and A.J. the parakeet, Derek Jeter

Steve Martin dominates the show, as he interrupts Dave twice, gets a lapdance from a male stripper, plugs his new book, and performs "The Crow" with banjoists Tony Trischka and Bela Fleck. Also, David Cota and his parakeet AJ perform a few tricks for Dave.

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Episode 146

Don Rickles, Michael Imperioli, Wilco, a Top Ten List presented by Masi Oka

Don Rickles, Michael Imperioli, and Wilco are the scheduled guests. Plus, a special Top Ten from Masi Oka!

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Episode 147

Ricky Gervais, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Mavis Staples, a Top Ten List presented by Bob Barker

Ricky Gervais, Mary Lynn Rajskub, and Mavis Staples are the scheduled guests. Plus, a Top Ten by Bob Barker!

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Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026

More about Late Show with David Letterman

Cast

David LettermanSelf - Host
Paul ShafferSelf -Musical Director
Bill WendellSelf - Announcer (voice)
Alan KalterSelf - Announcer (voice)
Edd HallVoiceover Announcer (voice)
Darlene LoveSelf - Musical Guest
Drew BarrymoreSelf - Guest
Rupert JeeSelf

Credits

Written by
David Letterman

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Talk Show
Episodes
4,252
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • CBSUnited States
  • Worldwide PantsUnited States
  • CBS Entertainment ProductionsUnited States
  • CBS ProductionsUnited States
  • CBS StudiosUnited States

Themes

hilariousirreverentlate-night show