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The Letterman Podcast173 Former Letterman Uber Producer Robert Morton Weighs In On Colbert And More!Episode 173 of The Letterman Podcast is a spontaneous mashup for the ages!Mike was about to appear on The Alex Bennett Program when his phone rang. On the other end? None other than former Late Show with David Letterman executive producer Robert “Morty” Morton. When Mike told him what he was about to do, Morty asked, “Can I join?” — and just like that, this one became too big for just one show.What followed was a spirited, thoughtful, and wildly entertaining three-way conversation. Alex and Mike both asked Morton about his time working with Letterman, as well as his take on cu...
2025-08-011h 01The Letterman PodcastThe Official Andy Kaufman Historian Andrew Buss Tells All!Episode 172 of The Letterman Podcast features the return of writer, oral historian, and the official Andy Kaufman historian, Andrew Buss!Among Andrew’s many creative accomplishments is I Am McLovin, the definitive oral history of Superbad, but this episode focuses on another icon of boundary-pushing brilliance — Andy Kaufman.Andrew and Mike go deep into the newly released documentary Andy Kaufman Is Me, reflecting on Kaufman’s legacy, performance style, and ongoing cultural impact. They also discuss Andrew’s latest oral history in Vanity Fair, where he once again interviewed David Letterman, as well as entertainment powerhouse Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and...
2025-07-251h 19The Letterman Podcast168: What’s Been Going On – Guest Hosted by Candace ChisholmEpisode 168: What’s Been Going On – Guest Hosted by Candace ChisholmThis episode of The Letterman Podcast is a little different, as Mike hands over the hosting duties to his wife, Candace Chisholm. With a few weeks passing since the last episode, Candace interviews Mike about what’s been going on behind the scenes.Mike opens up about his father’s recent hospitalization due to advancing dementia, a deeply personal struggle that has impacted their family and may lead to some changes with the show moving forward.The two also discuss their recent trip to Vancouver, where they saw The Found Fo...
2025-03-2847 minThe Letterman Podcast166 Chad Riden Is An OG AFL'er Who Coulda Been A Letterman Scholarship KidThis episode features stand-up comedian Chad Riden, a longtime Late Show fan and an early member of the legendary online Letterman fan group, alt.fan.letterman. Inspired by Dave from the very beginning, Chad has carved out a career as a broadcaster, performer, and stand-up comic, sharing the stage with legends like Nate Bargatze, Ralphie May, Doug Stanhope, Tom Green, and many more.Chad and Mike have a lively conversation where Chad does most of the talking, and Mike does most of the laughing. Jumping between hilarious bits and hard truths, they discuss Chad’s deep-rooted Letterman influence, his en...
2025-02-212h 18The Letterman Podcast165 Dave On The Tonight Show! Daily Comedy News Indeed!This episode features the return of Johnny Mac, host of the Daily Comedy News podcast!Johnny and Mike just had to connect this week to break down some huge moments in the world of comedy—especially those involving David Letterman.For the first time in decades, Letterman made a surprise appearance on The Tonight Show, an event sparked by Paul Shaffer & The World’s Most Dangerous Band taking over house band duties while The Roots prepped for SNL 50.Johnny and Mike react to the reunion, fantasize about a full-fledged Letterman reunion show, discuss Conan O’Brien hosting the Oscars, and mu...
2025-02-1458 minThe Letterman Podcast162 Alita Ditkowsky Accidentally Became A Great Moment In Presidential History
This episode features Alita Ditkowsky and her husband, Mike, who share the fascinating story of how Alita found herself in the national spotlight and on Late Show with David Letterman!
In 2005, Alita was involved in a high-profile class action lawsuit investigation, which led to several meetings with the highest-ranking officials in the United States, including multiple interactions with President George W. Bush. During one such event, footage of Alita speaking with the president on stage surfaced, creating the opportunity for comedy gold on Late Show.
Alita and Mike join The Letterman Podcast to share the amazing series of events...
2025-01-241h 05The Letterman Podcast161 Former Letterman Page Eric Schmidt Reveals The Secret List All Letterman Pages MemorizedThis episode features Eric Schmidt, who worked as a page and audience coordinator during one of the most entertaining eras of Late Show with David Letterman from 2009 to 2011. Now a stand-up comedian and host of the podcast Talking Schmidt, Eric reflects on his time at the Ed Sullivan Theater with humor and gratitude.
Eric and Mike dive into behind-the-scenes stories of Late Show, including the unforgettable music acts Eric witnessed, what it was like to be at the show during Conan’s Tonight Show departure, and his interactions with Dave during those fascinating years. He shares the lasting friendships he...
2025-01-241h 58The Letterman Podcast160 Andrew Buss and the Conan/Letterman Oral History
Episode 160: Andrew L. Buss – The Oral Historian Extraordinaire
This week’s guest is Andrew L. Buss, a prolific writer and oral historian who has meticulously documented some of pop culture’s most iconic projects, including The Jerk, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, High Fidelity, Freaks and Geeks, Clerks: The Animated Series, and more. As an assistant, collaborator, and protégé of the late Bill Zehme, Andrew has written for Consequence of Sound, Vulture, Vanity Fair, and LateNighter.com. He is also recognized as an Andy Kaufman historian.
In this lively episode, Andrew and Mike dive deep into the art of story...
2025-01-101h 13The Letterman Podcast159 Television Critic of 50 years David Bianculli just followed his bliss
Episode 159: Television Legend David Bianculli Joins the Show
Our first episode of the year features David Bianculli, a man who has been writing about television for over 50 years, appeared on radio, and currently teaches television at Rowan University. He’s the author of The Platinum Age of Television and Dangerously Funny, a deep dive into the legacy of The Smothers Brothers, among others.
David and Mike have an expansive and fascinating conversation, covering a wide array of topics including Saturday Night Live, Andy Kaufman, Fred Rogers, Tom Snyder, and—of course—how all these legends intersect with David Letterman. It’s a...
2025-01-041h 27The Letterman Podcast157 John Mcdermott And Mike Discuss David Letterman In The Comedy News
Episode 157: Comedy Catch-Up with John McDermott
This episode features the return of John McDermott, founder and host of the Daily Comedy News podcast, with over 1,400 episodes and decades of experience, including his time running comedy programming for SiriusXM.
John and Mike have an expansive conversation covering the latest in comedy news, much of it involving none other than David Letterman. They dive into Letterman’s recent GQ magazine interview, the announcement of his FAST channel on Samsung TV, and plenty more.
The discussion also ventures into the top comedians and comedy specials of the year, the possibility of Conan O’...
2024-12-201h 18The Letterman Podcast154 Carson The MagnificentEpisode 154 of The Letterman Podcast
This week, we delve into the newly released book Carson the Magnificent by the late, great Bill Zehme, completed posthumously with the help of his collaborator Mike Thomas. The book provides a uniquely insightful take on Johnny Carson, exploring his early years, career, and the magic (both literal and figurative) that made him a television legend.
Joining Mike for this special Thanksgiving episode are television historian Allison Lips and Rob Kates, admin of the David Letterman Fans Facebook group. Together, they dive into topics like Johnny’s Midwestern roots, his passion for magic, the pa...
2024-11-291h 37The Letterman Podcast151 Friends Of The Show Volume I Part IToday’s episode kicks off a new series we’re calling Friends of the Show. In this premiere, Mike is joined by a stellar panel for an epic roundtable discussion that became so lively it had to be split into two episodes!
Joining Mike are Letterman legend and prolific comedy writer Steve Young, original Late Night with David Letterman writer Steve Winer, Warren Zevon historian Adam Unger, TV historian Allison Lips, and Darin Cox, host of the Irritable Dad Syndrome podcast and producer at Antenna TV.
This group covers Letterman’s Late Night and Late Show years and beyond, sharin...
2024-11-081h 35The Letterman Podcast148 Steve Young Is... The Daykeeper
This episode marks the return of one of the most prolific Letterman writers of all time, Steve Young! Mike and Steve catch up to chat about Steve’s latest musical project, Broken Heart Insurance, a hilarious and clever EP available across all streaming services and YouTube.
Beyond that, they dive into a nearly existential conversation about the state of television, entertainment, and what it really takes for creatives to make their mark in today’s world.
With plenty of laughs—thanks entirely to Steve Young, and absolutely not Mike—this episode of The Letterman Podcast is sure to entertain.
And now...
2024-10-181h 29The Letterman PodcastEpisode 146: Stupid Pet Tricks with Ben ZelevanskyToday’s episode highlights a beloved segment of the Letterman mythos we’ve been wanting to explore for quite some time… Stupid Pet Tricks!
Our guest is none other than Ben Zelevansky, who coordinated this legendary segment for Late Show with David Letterman. An actor, writer, and more, Ben’s career in show business kicked off during his formative years working for Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Saturday Night Live, and of course, Late Show with David Letterman.
Ben started as an intern at Late Show and was hired full-time, helping to produce the iconic Stupid Pet Tricks segment. H...
2024-10-041h 47The Letterman Podcast142 A Tribute To One Of Our Own. J Ryan Talks About Losing Nicole
Episode 142 of The Letterman Podcast
This episode takes a different tone as we memorialize Nicole Ryan, a cherished friend and an integral part of The Letterman Podcast community from the very beginning, who recently passed away after a courageous battle with MS.
In this deeply personal conversation, Nicole’s husband and frequent guest on our show, J Ryan, joins Mike exactly one month after Nicole’s passing. Together, they share some of the events and details of Nicole’s final days and give an honest update on how J is navigating through this incredibly painful time.
2024-09-061h 51The Letterman Podcast141 Brad Gilmore Talks To The Nation With Booker T and Loves Late Night Television Past And Present
This week’s guest is an amazing broadcaster from Houston, Texas, Brad Gilmore. Brad is the host of The Back to the Future Podcast and The Collection, where he has interviewed late-night television icons and gigantic stars, including Kevin Costner and Gary Oldman. He also co-hosts a nationally syndicated radio show on ESPN with wrestling superstar Booker T, called Hall of Fame with Booker T and Brad Gilmore.
Brad is obsessed with David Letterman, Johnny Carson, and all things late-night television, making him the perfect guest for a conversation with the much older Mike Chisholm. The two of them ha...
2024-08-301h 20The Letterman Podcast135 Nick Prueher Was Head Reseacher For Late Show, Cofounded The Found Footage Festival, And Pranked His Way To AGT
This week’s guest is Nick Prueher. For five years, Nick worked in the research department for Late Show with David Letterman, eventually becoming head researcher and a segment producer. Those years were filled with many interesting adventures working for the legendary broadcaster. In this episode, Nick and Mike scratch the surface of those adventures.
When he left late show in 2004, he and his childhood best friend and comedy partner, Joe Pickett, founded the legendary Found Footage Festival. This led them on a 20-year-plus run of doing shows all across the country, showcasing the hilarious, unique brand they created an...
2024-07-1956 minThe Letterman Podcast134 The Influence of Letterman on Today’s Broadcasters wish guest Chris SchiemanEpisode 134 of The Letterman Podcast features Chris Schieman, host of the mildly successful show There’s Too Many Podcasts, which Mike recently guested on. Chris, a broadcaster from the Midwest heavily influenced by David Letterman, and Mike have a very personal and fun conversation about Letterman’s influence on today’s broadcasters and how the industry has changed.
They also delve into Chris’s history in broadcasting, what inspired his show There’s Too Many Podcasts, and, of course, they discuss some of their favorite David Letterman moments.
The Letterman Podcast is proudly sponsored by hello-deli.com, the one-stop shop for o...
2024-07-121h 27The Letterman Podcast133 A Journey Through Comedy, Kimmel, and the California Desert
Episode 133 of The Letterman Podcast features the return of Mike’s lovely wife, Candace Chisholm, as his guest. The two discuss the recent episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, featuring the very special guest, John Mulaney. They also delve into the legacy of legendary entertainment manager Jack Rollins and recount the rest of Mike’s trip to California, including his visit to Jimmy Kimmel Live and his amazing trek through the California desert mountains to visit his good friends, J and Nicole Ryan at Good Vibes Breakfast Club at Newcom’s Ranch.
Mike and Candac...
2024-07-051h 17The Letterman Podcast129 Oh The Gifts Hollywood Gave Us! Jackets, and Cue-Cards And Microphones Oh My! Featuring Candace Chisholm and Gabe Abelson
Episode 129 of The Letterman Podcast is the continuation of our journey down to Hollywood, California. This is Hollywood Day Two, a day full of fellowship with Letterman alumni, a reunion with J Ryan and his wife, Nicole, and Mike being the special guest for the taping of the season premiere of Frasier.
Our episode starts off with Mike visiting former monologue writer for Late Show with David Letterman, Gabe Abelson. Gabe takes Mike on a tour of many of the artifacts he kept from Late Show, including awards, props, and mementos from the show, and a giant pile of...
2024-06-071h 09The Letterman Podcast126 The Letterman Podcast Pilgrimage To See Dave And A Bunch More Folk...Part 1
Episode 126 of The Letterman Podcast features the delightful and bubbly Candace Chisholm, Mike’s wife, who joins us to ask Mike about his trip to Hollywood to see David Letterman perform at the Netflix Is a Joke Comedy Festival. This episode focuses on the first time Mike saw Dave during the trip, where Dave was interviewing comedian Nate Bargatze, his fun meeting with Jon Beckerman, and the journey down to California from Canada in Mike’s trusty Bronco, Scout.
As always, The Letterman Podcast is proudly brought to you by hello-deli.com, the only place to get official Late Show...
2024-05-1641 minThe Letterman Podcast125 J Ryan Impersonated an Intern at Late Show and Lived to Tell
🎙️ Episode 125 of The Letterman Podcast welcomes back J Ryan, the charismatic host of Late Night Playset. J and Mike are longtime friends, and their lively banter makes for an engaging episode. 😄
🎬 J shares a hilarious tale from his past, recounting his daring escapades as a fake intern on Late Show with David Letterman. His close call at the Ed Sullivan Theater is both entertaining and nerve-wracking! 😅
💪 He then provides a touching update on his wife, Nicole, as she courageously battles MS. Their journey is a testament to love and resilience in the face of adversity. ❤️Go to Autoimmunityfou...
2024-05-101h 22The Letterman Podcast117 Steve Winer Returns to Talk About Comedy, Mickey, and Shecky, Also, RIP Jerry Foley
Welcome back to The Letterman Podcast! Episode 117 brings us another delightful conversation with former OG Letterman Writer, Steve Winer, making his third appearance on the show! 🎙️
As one of the original writers for Late Night with David Letterman, Steve joins Mike for a fun-filled chat about comedy, sharing memories from the iconic late-night show, and reflecting on his time writing for the Mickey Mouse Club and much more.
This episode also marks the one year anniversary of the passing of the late Rick Scheckman, a beloved Letterman alum who played a significant role in bringing Steve...
2024-03-152h 02The Letterman Podcast115 Len Goldberg Witnessed 'D-Day' And Has The Box Office Sign To Prove It!
Get ready for a nostalgic journey as The Letterman Podcast welcomes Len Goldberg to Episode 115! Len, a dedicated Letterman enthusiast for over four decades, joins host Mike for a captivating discussion about his enduring memories and encounters with the show over the years.
Len and Mike delve into a significant moment in Letterman history: May 21, 2015 – a day some fans refer to as ‘D-Day.’ This was the day that CBS discarded the iconic set from The Late Show with David Letterman, and threw it into dumpsters for all to witness.
Len, who was present on that fatefu...
2024-03-0153 minThe Letterman Podcast114 Late Show Writer Jeremy Weiner Shows & Tells The Shows Some More
Get ready for a trip down memory lane as The Letterman Podcast welcomes back former Late Show with David Letterman writer Jeremy Weiner for Episode 114! 🎉
Join Mike for a front seat view as Jeremy unveils a long-sealed box from his attic, filled with cherished memories and keepsakes from his time at Late Show, in a special show-and-tell episode.
In this fun-filled instalment, Mike and Jeremy reminisce about the comedy bit that was shot but never made it to fruition in ‘Late Show: The Movie.’ They also compare the comedy sensibilities of Late Show to those of Cona...
2024-02-231h 41The Letterman Podcast113 Adam Nedeff Know More About Game Shows Than We Know About Letterman
Get ready for a mammoth episode of The Letterman Podcast as we welcome game show historian Adam Nedeff to the mic for Episode 113. Join Mike as he and Adam embark on a deep dive into the captivating world of game shows, late-night television, and the intersection of both.
In this episode, Mike and Adam explore David Letterman’s fascinating history with game shows while breaking into show business in California. From his participation as a contestant to the potential of hosting, they delve into Letterman’s early connections to the genre and its impact on his career traj...
2024-02-162h 32The Letterman Podcast110 Wally Feresten Is Cue-Card Late Night Television Royalty And Has The Stories To Prove It!
Welcome to Episode 110 of The Letterman Podcast! 🎙️ Join your host Mike and the legendary cue card professional, Wally Feresten, for a delightful conversation that spans nearly 35 years of late-night television history. Wally has been the go-to cue card guy for iconic shows like Late Night with David Letterman, Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Seth Myers, and more, thanks to his start with the legendary Tony Mendez.In this episode, Mike and Wally delve into the fascinating journey of how Wally, along with his brother Spike, entered show business. Get ready for behind-the-scenes stories from the set of Saturday Night...
2024-01-261h 31The Letterman Podcast108 Warren Zevon Historian Adam Unger Is Here And He's Got The Goods!Welcome to another captivating episode of The Letterman Podcast! 🎙️
In today’s installment, we immerse ourselves in the world of Warren Zevon alongside a special guest, his official historian, Adam Unger. What unfolds when two dedicated individuals, Mike and Adam, bonded by their passion for preserving and celebrating the timeless legacies of David Letterman and Warren Zevon, come together?
Join us for a podcast episode brimming with insights, laughter, and a shared journey through the remarkable works of these iconic figures.
As Mike and Adam discuss, we delve into the fascinating story of how Ada...
2024-01-122h 42The Letterman Podcast103 The Letterman Podcast Don Giller Celebration Compilation Part Four: Epilogue, Odds & Ends
The Letterman Podcast's 100th episode 4-Part extravaganza comes to a close with this final instalment.
A VERY special thanks to Don Giller for spending countless hours sifting through footage from The Letterman Podcast's first 100 episodes, and build the unique narrative that he did.
We also thank each and every guest that took the time to go down memory lane with us, and share thoughts and moments that were meaningful to them.
The Letterman Podcast's host Mike Chisholm asked if I might put something together to help commemorate his 100th episode.Rather than select highlights...
2023-12-2156 minThe Letterman Podcast102 The Don Giller Compilation Celebration Part Three: The Late Show Years#thelettermanpodcast is pleased to present the continuation of our 100th episode celebration. The definitive archivist of #davidletterman material #dongiller has gone to painstaking efforts to organize highlights of the hundreds of hours we have filmed so far to create a 4 part compilation of the #behindthescenes moments of the #letterman timeline as discussed on the #podcast In this third instalment, the focus is on the Late Show with David Letterman Years.
From Don Giller:
The Letterman Podcast's host Mike Chisholm asked if I might put something together to help commemorate his 100th episode. Rather than select...
2023-12-152h 13The Letterman Podcast101 The Don Giller Compilation Celebration Part 2
The Letterman Podcast's host Mike Chisholm asked if I might put something together to help commemorate his 100th episode.Rather than select highlights and best-of conversations, I decided to try to craft a behind-the-scenes narrative of Dave’s talk show history as told by many of Mike’s podcast guests — the writers, producers, musicians, and network executives who worked for and with Dave throughout his 35-year tenure at NBC and CBS.Part 2: The transition from NBC to CBS, 1993The roster of the guests selected include:Amy Cherin Humes, Assistant to the Direct...
2023-12-1244 minThe Letterman Podcast100 The Don Giller Celebration Compilation Part OneTo Celebrate our 100th episode, we brought in a ringer. The foremost David Letterman Archivist Don Giller has pieced together a 4 part look back at the first 100 episodes of The Letterman Podcast. From Don:
A David Letterman Talk Show Narrative, Part 1 of 4: Late NightThe Letterman Podcast's host Mike Chisholm asked if I might put something together to help commemorate his 100th episode.Rather than select highlights and best-of conversations, I decided to try to craft a behind-the-scenes narrative of Dave’s talk show history as told by many of Mike’s podcast guests — the writer...
2023-12-081h 52The Letterman Podcast091 The last hurrah for the Hello Deli, our tribute to Rupert Jee's retirement
After a 32 year run, Rupert Jee and May Chin have sold the Hello Deli. Their culturally relevant tiny restaurant was equipped with only a couple of tables, perfect for lucky customers to occupy and get a front row seat to Late Show staffers, Late Show guests, or Late Show fans showing up to visit Rupert. He dispensed wisdom , superior listening skills, and of course, sandwich's.
Rupert entertained the world audience by just being himself, a perfect character for Late Show, holding the distinction of having the most total appearances on the program, at 455.
David Letterman's...
2023-10-131h 25The Letterman Podcast087 Don Giller shows...and tells!Don Giller is the pre-eminent historian and archivist of the productions of David Letterman and Company. For forty years Don has amassed a knowledge base and collection of Letterman material that is unmatched by anyone else, and includes every single episode of David Letterman's broadcasts among many, many items from the shows and additional footage, much of which has never been aired.
After Late Show with David Letterman ended it's run in 2015, Don began creating compilations of Letterman material and uploading them to the YouTube channel he started in 2009. These compilations organized many of the comedic bits...
2023-09-151h 17The Letterman Podcast081 Mike Summers was a sociology major and ended up an intern at Letterman? You Bet!Who doesn't love bonus episodes? Our summer intern series continues with our special guest, Mike Summers. Host Mike and former intern Mike have a lovely conversation about how former intern Mike got the gig, and what it entailed at the time. Spending the majority of his run in the talent department, former intern Mike enjoyed a fantastic adventure in New York after his final semester in college working for David Letterman & Company and has some delightful memories to show for it.
The Letterman Podcast is brought to you by Rupert Jee and the Hello Deli. Go to...
2023-08-151h 00The Letterman Podcast080 Vinnie Favale is back and we can mostly hear him! The network exec that was NOT a pinhead!Vinnie Favale returns to The Letterman Podcast and we could not be more excited! The network exec that got to watch virtually every Late Show from the control room for 20 years, Vinnie has so many stories, and from a perspective that is unique to say the least. He and Mike talk about their friend Rick Scheckman and his influence on the show, including when he found the video footage of Harry Smith's colonoscopy--or at least the Late Show version of it. Mike also gets a chance to get a few of his questions for Vinnie off the list, and...
2023-08-1159 minThe Letterman Podcast075 Tom Dreesen returns, and this time he's ready to be even more delightfulTom Dreesen is back and we couldn't be more excited! One of David Letterman's running buddies from his days at The Comedy Store, Tom Dreesen's run as a comedian is unique beyond measure. One of the last vestiges of show business past, Tom happily engages Mike, as well as Don Giller, in a conversation that ranges from the comedy scene today, to stories about Frank Sinatra, and of course his friend David Letterman. Tom tells us about the workshop he does for comedians to get them thinking about their personal development and other ways he helps guide young talent...
2023-07-071h 29The Letterman Podcast072 Mike went to New York for Shecky's memorial and now has to answer to his wife CandaceThe Letterman Podcast went back to New York and lived to tell about it! Unfortunately it was for Shecky's memorial. Mike spent 4 days in New York exclusively hanging with Letterman folk, and this episode is dedicated to recounting some of the major events that took place. Prying the stories out of him like a crowbar from a sardine can is Mike's much, much better half, the crowd-pleasing Candace Chisholm. And she gets the goods, all right! Watching Paul and Will perform and hanging with them in the green room? Check! Hanging out with not one, not two, but three...
2023-06-231h 28The Letterman Podcast071 Biff Henderson's son James is not just a junior, but the third! Also a really great guy who is damn proud of his dad.David Letterman's productions employed a very special stage manager who worked on all Dave's network television programs. Beginning with the morning show, continuing on to Late Night, following Dave to CBS and working all the way to the end of Late Show in 2015, Biff Henderson is a Letterman & Company Institution. His countless on-screen appearances, whether in the studio during show tapings or being sent on remotes to sporting events, major award ceremonies and much much more is a perfect example of the very fabric of Letterman's signature tone of the show; Dave would take folks who worked on the...
2023-06-161h 02The Letterman Podcast070 Craig Thomas wrote Alan Kalter's descent into madness and lived to tell Mike about itCraig Thomas, along with his writing partner Carter Bays, are known in some circles as the King's of the CBS mailbag. For years they wrote dozens and dozens of mailbag bits on Late Show with David Letterman before moving on to create one of the most successful situation comedy's of the modern era, 'How I Met Your Mother.' They also happened to write one of our host's favorite Letterman moments of all time, featuring Late Show announcer, Alan Kalter. In this episode, Craig and Mike discuss some of Craig's favorite moments, the process he and Carter had working...
2023-06-162h 04The Letterman Podcast067 Robert Morton gives up who almost bought Worldwide Pants, plays name association with Mike, and who he wishes Dave would interview moving forward.This is the continuation and conclusion of The Letterman Podcast's first conversation with Robert Morton. In this episode, both Mike and Don Giller get the chance to ask Morty all sorts of questions and discuss many points about Late Night/Late Show, and the business that surrounded the programs. What was it like during the negotiations leaving NBC? Who at one time was considering buying Worldwide Pants? And is it 'Late Show,' or 'The Late Show?' These topics, and many, many more are discussed in this fascinating behind the scenes palaver that will delight any enthusiast of...
2023-05-261h 21The Letterman Podcast066 Rob Stover was at the final Late Show with David Letterman, and lived to tell about it. Dramatic? Perhaps. True? Darn right its true.To celebrate the 8 year anniversary of the end of David Letterman's legendary run in Late Night Television, we decided to release a bonus episode featuring someone who was at the last taping of Late Show with David Letterman. Rob Stover was there that night to take in the historical broadcast, but it almost didn't happen...he had tickets to the second-to-last-show. How did he pull the ol switch-a-roo? He tells us that and much, much more about that night. A fellow Canadian who lives not 4 hours away from our host, Rob's enthusiasm for the Last Days of Letterman still...
2023-05-231h 26The Letterman Podcast063 Carter Bays went from MTV to Letterman Mailbag co-king, to How I Met Your Mother, to novelist...what a ride indeed!
Carter Bays has had quite the adventure during his career in creativity, and he sure isn't done yet. The former Late Show writer, along with his writing partner Craig Thomas, have worked together for decades, leading Carter to all sorts of assignments and achievements, including creating the smash comedy hit, 'How I Met Your Mother.' Carter and Mike weave a fascinating story that travels through Carter's professional life, with many lovely pit-stops along the way. And there are a LOT of really great Letterman memories during the journey. They also talk about the looming writer's strike and the...
2023-05-052h 10The Letterman Podcast062 Adam Lorenzo bought a bar in college, faxed for Letterman, wrote for Kilborn and Raymond, then wrote a book...and so much more!
Adam Lorenzo didn't plan on becoming a comedy writer for three different Worldwide Pants properties while he was in college. He owned a bar. No, really. And he learned a lot of life lessons owning that bar. So many that he wrote a book about it, that is equally as humorous as it is true. After he owned the bar, he became a comedy writer, first by faxing jokes to The Late Show with David Letterman. He had such a talent for it, he ended up becoming a staff writer on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, and...
2023-05-031h 29The Letterman Podcast061 Paul Shaffer talks Andy Kaufman, plays Stump the Bandleader and more on the special first anniversary episode of The Letterman Podcast
For this special anniversary episode, we have showbiz icon and bandleader and musical director for both SNL AND Dave, Order of Canada Recipient, Paul Shaffer as our guest on #Thelettermanpodcast...and Don Giller. Mike asks Paul about Andy Kaufman, brings on a special guest question, and introduces the newly coined 'Stump The Bandleader' segment, where Mike plays 3 musical bumpers as chosen by Don to see how many Paul can name. And much, much more. Thank you so much for this first of many years of The Letterman Podcast. Its been nothing short of incredible. This episode is dedicated to...
2023-04-211h 34The Letterman Podcast060 Darin Cox returns to talk U2 and Letterman CollectiblesDuring our anniversary week, we just had to go back to the beginning with this special mid week episode! Darin Cox was our very first guest on The Letterman Podcast, and we are delighted to welcome him back. He and Mike catch up, talk Letterman collectables, and then do a mash-up of sorts with Darin's podcast, The Irritable Dad Syndrome. Turns out the irritable dads are pretty big U2 fans, and with 'A Sort of Homecoming,' the Letterman U2 special that recently premiered on Disney Plus, Mike, Mike and Darin has a lot of fun things to talk...
2023-04-181h 36The Letterman Podcast059 Mark Malkoff returns!
Mark Malkoff returns and we could not be more excited! It's The Letterman Podcast's first anniversary week, and we are grateful Mark is here to reflect with us. What's he been doing since wrapping up 'The Carson Podcast?' He is happy to report that he can't tell us. Mark also shares some of the memorabilia he saved from his days working for The Late Show, and once again regales us with tales behind the scenes of Carson and Letterman. Mike also reveals how Mark, by way of Rick Scheckman, helped bring The Letterman Podcast into existence. We are...
2023-04-141h 31The Letterman Podcast058 Late Show Special effects with Glynn Borders
Glynn Borders never thought he would have a job heading up the special effects department for Late Show with David Letterman. Starting out in the theater, Glynn had an unlikely, and very enjoyable job, fall in his lap, which ended up giving him a career he really loved. Glynn was responsible for many memorable moments on Late Show, and he and Mike have a great time discussing a few of them. Remember Dave's vibrating desk? That was Glynn. Anytime you saw a man on fire? Yup, also Glynn. Who made it snow when Darlene Love sang annually on the...
2023-04-071h 38
Irritable Dad SyndromeIDS #137 - Wheel of Cheese (w/ Mike Chisholm)Send us a textThis episode has twice the Mike for the same low price. Mike Chisholm from The Letterman Podcast sits in with Mike and Darin to review the Disney+ special with Bono, The Edge and David Letterman. Please listen to this episode or you will hurt our feelings.#BONO#THE EDGE#LETTERMAN#U2#DISNEY+Support the showThank you so much for listening to this episode! If you like what we do, please check out our other content! Follow our socials for announcements when we...
2023-04-0633 minThe Letterman Podcast057 Bill Carter might know more about the inner workings of late night tv than any human on Earth
Bill Carter might know more about the business and inner workings of late night television than any human on Earth. The former New York Times reporter has covered television for decades, and written the quintessential books on the subject, 'The Late Shift,' and 'The War For Late Night.'A dream guest for Mike, he and Bill have a discussion that covers many subjects including Bill's motivations to write these books, behind the scenes details, the personalities involved, the state of late night right now, and of course, lots of Letterman stuff. Bill also gives a sneak peak into...
2023-03-311h 44The Letterman Podcast056 Living legend Alex Bennett reflects on his broadcast adventures, shares incredible Letterman themed anecdotes and spend time remembering great friend Rick Scheckman
Alex Bennett is a broadcast living legend. For well over 50 years he hosted extremely successful radio programs all over the US including having popular shows in San Francisco on Live 105 and The Quake and in New York for WMCA, Sirius XM and much more. He is also the best friend of Rick Scheckman, the longtime Letterman Alumni who we lost on March 10. Alex and Mike have a great talk about some of the Letterman themed stories of his past, including being sold cable by Robert Morton, anecdotes featuring Tom Dreesen and of course spend time remembering Shecky. Alex reflects...
2023-03-242h 14
The Letterman Podcast055 The Rick Scheckman Tribute EpisodeIn this unique episode of The Letterman Podcast, we pay tribute our good friend and OG Letterman staffer Rick ‘Shecky’ Scheckman, who tragically passed away on March 10, 2023. Mike uses this opportunity to share behind the scenes stories of how he and Rick became friends, the things they bonded over, and how essential Rick was, and will forever be, to this program. Hopefully we will be able to bring you another episode in the future containing many of Rick’s former staff-mates and friends telling fond stories about him as well, but at the time of this recording Rick’s passing...
2023-03-171h 28The Letterman Podcast053 We welcome Nadine Hennelly, who has appeared on shows bearing David Letterman's name over 400 times...Nadine Hennelly appeared on shows bearing David Letterman's name over 400 times. She was one of the Hi-Ho Babes (we checked, 2023 guidelines still allow us to use that term without issue) and was featured in all sorts of sketches, pre taped segments, prize presentations, (many times a tray of meat) and hundreds of times standing on stage looking fabulous.
As gorgeous as this former model is on the outside, her inner beauty takes center stage as she and Mike (with the occasional appearance of Don Giller,) have a kind, heartfelt trip down memory lane. Nadine relays many of he...
2023-03-032h 17The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 052 Jason ZinomanJason Zinoman works for the New York Times, currently serving as their comedy critic, and is the author of 'Letterman, The Last Giant of Late Night,' one of the most encompassing books ever written about David Letterman & Company. Jason took some time out of his insane schedule to talk all things Letterman, and brings a unique perspective on a variety of topics. He and Mike discuss the levels of The Show's evolution over the years, how certain figures, like Merrill Markoe and Chris Elliott shaped the show, and what it was like to meet and interview Dave himself...
2023-02-241h 30The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 050 Felicia Collins Part 1Felicia Collins has been a guitar player, vocalist, and percussionist for The CBS Orchestra/World's Most Dangerous Band for over 25 years. She has also collaborated with some of music's greatest artists during tours, solo projects, and she was a member of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame's house band. In this episode, Felicia and Mike have a fantastic conversation about some of her adventures and experiences before Letterman, including performing at Live Aid, her friendship with Nile Rodgers, and touring with Cyndi Lauper. She then tells the story of the phone call that would change her life, the...
2023-02-101h 09The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 049 Jeff Martin Part 2 with special appearance by Don GillerThe epic conversation with writer Jeff Martin continues! He and Mike not only keep talking about Late Night memories and behind the scenes insights, but also Norm MACdonald, Craig Fergusson, and more! That in itself is of course worth the price of admission our viewers have paid. However as an added treat, Letterman archivist and historian Don Giller even joins the fun asking Jeff questions of a quality significantly higher than Mike's. It's a delight. Jeff also tells the story of how he met his wife and how he feels towards Dave now, moments we allow to even get a...
2023-02-031h 46The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 048 Jeff Martin Part 1Jeff Martin was a writer with Late Night with David Letterman from 1982-1989. He also wrote for The Simpsons, Norm MacDonald, Craig Fergusson and more. Many folks might remember his portrayal of 'Flunky the Clown.' This episode begins talking about Jeff's history at Harvard, his role with the Harvard Lampoon, and some of the people he met there including Conan O'Brien, who he is close friends with to this very day. Once they get going, Jeff and Mike have a tremendous conversation about a great many memories Jeff had while at Late Night, not in any particular order...
2023-01-271h 32The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 047 Rupert Jee and Irene HoffmanIrene Hoffman has returned, becoming The Letterman Podcast's first three time guest, and this time she isn't alone. she brought her man, myth and legend, the one and only Rupert Jee! Opening up like never before, Rupert tells us many behind the scenes stories and explains how many of his segments played out from his point of view. He and Irene are hilarious, like a 50's sitcom couple as they and Mike catch up and have a fabulous conversation. Rupert tells a story about one of his trips to LA that will leave all fans of Late Night TV...
2023-01-201h 46The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 045 Gabe AbelsonGabe Abelson was David Letterman's head monologue writer from 1997 until the end of 2001. A veteran writer and performer, Gabe has given his life to comedy and entertainment for over 40 years. He also looks a little like Jeff Daniels. Gabe and Mike have a tremendous conversation that tells many entertaining stories about Gabe's time with Late Show, including a never before told story about a monologue joke that had Dave doubled over in laughter, and the deconstruction of said joke, how he got the gig and much more. They also talk about the state of stand up in today's age...
2023-01-131h 49The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 044 David KayDavid Kay was the Executive in Charge of Audience Development for The Late Show with David Letterman From 1998 until the show's end in 2015. He was originally brought in as a consultant to the Late Show to streamline and create systems regarding the live audience that watched the show in the Ed Sullivan theater every night. David and Mike go deep on what made a good audience for The Late Show and the painstaking efforts made behind the scenes to make sure this vital element of the show was nothing short of excellent. There's a lot more than meets the...
2023-01-131h 41The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 040 Lee Ellenberg Part 2Due to technical difficulties that are out of our control, this episode did not release the day it was supposed to. We have just been alerted to the error and are re-uploading the show now. We apologize to anyone and everyone who didn't get a chance to see/hear this episode during its original air date. Someone must have kicked out the plug.
Lee Ellenberg continues his discussion with Mike about how he got the writing gig for The Late Show that would last right until the show's end in 2015 and many of the adventures the journey i...
2022-12-311h 02The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 043 Jeremy WeinerJeremy Weiner wore many hats in his tenure with 'The Late Show with David Letterman.' He was a researcher, segment 'jack of all trades,' Winnebago driver for Biff Henderson, and of course a long term writer for the show all the way until the end of LS's run in 2015. Jeremy and Mike have an epic conversation that highlights many of his favorite moments working for Dave and Company. They also talk about Jeremy's time working for Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Kevin Smith, and accidentally come up with a genius set up for Jeremy's return appearance to...
2022-12-301h 41The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 041 Will LeeWill Lee has the distinction of being one of the longest serving members of David Letterman's staff. He was right there at the beginning of Late Night, and along with Paul, stayed the entire way, playing Bass in the Worlds Most Dangerous Band/CBS Orchestra, and being featured in many other ways in the show. He is also part of a very special Beatles cover band called Fab Faux, a studio musician, a solo recording artist, and much more. Check out his newsletter to see what he's got going on. Will and Mike have a phenomenal 90 minute conversation about th...
2022-12-161h 34The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 039 Lee Ellenberg Part 1Lee Ellenberg is currently a writer for Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show. He also worked for David Letterman & Company in one capacity or another from 1994 all the way until the end of the run in 2015. He was a page, worked in audience coordination, worked the reception desk for Dave's floor as well as the writer's floor, and for 15 years was a full fledged writer for Late Show with David Letterman. In part one we talk about the first part of Lee's career with Letterman, and he gives great insights as to how the show worked, and how he progressed up...
2022-12-021h 03The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 038 Stephen WinerOG Late Night writer Stephen Winer is back on The Letterman Podcast, and we could not be more excited. After telling his 'origin story' his first time on the show a few months ago, Stephen and Mike got together again to discuss all sorts of things both Letterman and comedy related. Loose ends from his last appearance are discussed including prepping for night one of Late Night with Bill Murray, and why we included the picture with Dick Van Dyke in the episode with no explanation. Many other topics were discussed in this episode including Merill Markoe, comedy writing...
2022-11-251h 28The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 034 Joe Grossman Part 2The thrilling conclusion of Mike's first conversation with former Letterman, current Tonight Show writer Joe Grossman is here! This episode starts right where part one left off with Joe talking about his new job as a Tonight Show monologue writer. The discussion shifts to pondering the comedy writer's mind and what makes it tick. Joe finishes his narrative chronicling how he ended up working for The Late Show with David Letterman and what working there was like at that time. What was the task behind the scene new writers were made to do? The answer lies within this episode...
2022-11-181h 13The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 036 Joe Grossman Part 1Joe Grossman was a writer for Late Show with David Letterman from 2004 until the show went off the air in 2015. He also appeared on the show 112 times in various capacities, usually as himself with a deadpan disposition that would more often than not exasperate Dave. Where did Joe come from? How did he end up writing for David Letterman & Co, and how did he end up on camera so many times? Did he always want to perform? Joe, who happens to be one of Mike's all time favorite on-screen talents for Late Show opens up and answers all those...
2022-11-1153 minThe Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 035 Fred GraverFred Graver has had an eclectic career to say the least. He worked for the National Lampoon, Norman Lear, Cheers, Twitter TV, has written two 'Choose Your Own Adventure' books, and he currently works for a Microsoft endeavor teaching AI entities to be better communicators. He also spent 6 years working for Late Night with David Letterman as a writer from 1984-1990. Fred and Mike have a fantastic talk about some of the memories and reflections of the show. Fred literally had a front seat watching David Letterman be able to go out and shoot remote comedy pieces without issue...
2022-11-041h 12The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 034 Sue HumFor over 30 years, Sue Hum was the costume designer for Late Night and Late Show with David Letterman. She helmed the crafting and execution of everything we saw on the show from the aesthetic of Dave's wardrobe, the designing and production of the humorous suits and costumes he and other members of the cast wore, and of course the iconic annual Halloween bit where children would come in wearing hilarious trick or treat costumes. In this first episode Mike explores Sue's roots of where she came from and how she ended up becoming part of Dave's company, by way...
2022-10-281h 15The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 033 Candace ChisholmCandace Chisholm is Mike's Wife. Why is she this week's guest on the show? Because she and Mike just returned from New York and have a lot of stories to tell! Lots of Letterman stuff on this trip including a lunch with Walter Kim, Brunch with Steve Winer (birthday boy the day this episode is released) and his amazing wife Lori, Dinner with Steve O'Donnell, Our Friendship and adventures with Rupert and May, a surprise encounter with Barbara Gaines, visiting the Colbert set, an encounter with two special Letterman construction guys, and a trip to see the Donz! They a...
2022-10-211h 30The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 032 Dave Rygalski Part 2The epic conclusion to Mike and Riggs's first of hopefully many conversations. Mike and Dave talk about his transition out of his writing job at Late Night, which took place right around the time it was announced that Jay Leno got the Tonight Show gig. He then went to The Chevy Chase show and even the Magic Johnson show, before ending up as a writer on the Tonight Show. Rygalski shows us a couple thank you notes from Dave, talks about how he tried to bring a Letterman sensibility to the show, his view of the Jay Leno 10 PM...
2022-10-1443 minThe Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 031 David Rygalski, Part 1David Rygalski has an incredible history as a writer in both the Late Night genre and show itself. As a college student who voraciously consumed the first couple years of Late Night with David Letterman, 'Riggs' did what thousands dreamt of doing-he joined Late Night as an intern, and was then hired on. In part one of this fascinating conversation, Dave tells Mike all about how he landed the show as an employer and about his time working there. They discuss his evolution from the reception desk to writer's assistant, to becoming a full fledged writer, and many of...
2022-10-071h 05The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 030 Mike ChisholmWell, its been 5 months and we have reached our 30th episode of 'The Letterman Podcast.' In this episode, Mike spends some time recapping his feelings on how things have gone so far, and reveals some behind the scenes insights about this show he loves to host so much, and some of the places its going. Mike also goes through each guest featured in the 'first 30' and what they mean to him. This episode also includes a few pieces of bonus footage including Mike's reaction the very first time he saw the bridge from the Late Show he...
2022-09-301h 21The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 029 Eddie BrillEddie Brill has returned! Since his first appearance on episode 3 of The Letterman Podcast, the show has found its voice in many respects, and many of the dynamics between Mike and the guests have deepened. This episode is a prime example! He and Eddie continue down the rabbit hole they started down and it just keeps going! Eddie and Mike talk about the comedy scene then and now, what made a good comic for Late Show, the differences between Eddie and Jim McCawley (who used to book comics on Johnny's Tonight Show) and much more. One of the questions M...
2022-09-231h 17The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 028 Jody Ebert -The F**K YOU! Guy-We use the 'F' word a LOT on this particular episode of The Letterman Podcast. Don't worry; its not gratuitous, but we will disclaim it none the less. Jody Ebert, (no relation to Roger, that we know of) a long time actor as well as a director and screenwriter, professionally went in a direction he never could have predicted: he was the player in a reoccurring bit with David Letterman where he got to scream 'F**K YOU!' to him (not to mention Paul and Alan 'Big Red' Kalter) over 18 times from 2006 to 2012. If you want to see...
2022-09-191h 38The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 027 George SchweitzerGeorge Schweitzer may well be the most successful marketer in the history of network television. He was employed by CBS for a hair under 50 years, much of that heading up marketing for the entire network. He's seen it all over a career that spanned multiple generations. One of the many things he saw, promoted, and gave tremendous respect and leeway for was David Letterman and Company. He was the guy who was there 29 years ago when Dave came over to CBS and helped craft and spearhead one of the most defining marketing campaigns in entertainment history. And the best...
2022-09-161h 11The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 026 Steve Young and the Bathtubs Over Broadway Super Happy Fantastic ShowSteve Young returns to The Letterman Podcast to go deep and talk about Bathtubs Over Broadway, the documentary he and many Letterman alum, and even Dave himself were featured in. One might say this amazing film was spawned from 'Dave's Record Collection,' a bit featured on Late Night and Late Show going back decades. Steve and Mike continue their rapport going far down the rabbit hole, exploring a piece of entertainment Americana that most people have no idea even existed...the world of industrial musicals. For any enthusiast of David Letterman, this documentary is a MUST own, and f...
2022-09-121h 58The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 025 Caissie St. OngeCaissie St. Onge is a writer, producer, showrunner and podcaster. She and Busy Philipps currently co host the podcast 'Busy Philipps is Doing Her Best' which can be heard on the major podcast platforms. How did it all start? Well, Caissie was David Letterman's assistant-at perhaps the most pivotal point in his career-when he made the move to CBS. She did this despite the fact that she didn't know how to operate a manual transmission. Caissie and Mike have a tremendous conversation about her time with the show and what she learned from it. Coming straight from college with o...
2022-09-091h 41The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 024 Vinnie FavaleVinnie Favale has had an interesting career. In fact, Vinnie has had MANY interesting careers, seemingly all happening at once. He's a writer, producer and director (of many disciplines) and was one of the folks to launch what is now known at Comedy Central. He has also worked for MTV, A&E, HBO and even produced and launched his own musical. He was also the executive liaison from CBS to The Late Show with David Letterman for the bulk of the show's run. Does that make him a pinhead? He and Mike discuss that very topic, and many, many...
2022-09-021h 36The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 023 with Gerard MulliganIts rare that a comedy writer/performer can say they had a gig for nearly 4 decades working with the same performer, or broadcaster in this case; an exception to the rule, no doubt. Well, hold onto your hotdogs kids, we got one as our guest this week. Gerard Mulligan can trace his history in the lore of Letterman ALL the way back. Before (The) Late Show. Before Late Night. Before The David Letterman Show. Gerry first started writing jokes for Dave at one of the most important times in Letterman's career; when he was guest hosting Johnny Carson's 'Tonight...
2022-08-301h 38The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 022 Steve YoungSteve Young was one of David Letterman's longest serving and influential writers, his tenure lasting from 1990 until the Last Late Show on May 20, 2015. Brilliant to a fault, for some reason, Steve agreed to appear on our show, instantly making it much better than it would have been. He and Mike have a wonderful, unstructured conversation that spans decades and takes rabbit holes at her leisure. They talk about when Steve took over the 'Dave's Record Collection' bit and how that chain of events unexpectedly led to Steve becoming an author (Everything's Coming Up Profits-The Golden Age of Industrial Musicals...
2022-08-261h 26The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 021 Stephen WinerStephen Winer was there at the very beginning of Late Night. And some of his contributions to the show as a writer endured the entire Letterman run until 2015, such as the bit he wrote for a viewer mail segment where Dave threw something into the open window scape behind him, triggering what would become an iconic glass breaking sound effect. He was also one of the men who discovered Calvert DeForest, better known in some circles as Larry 'Bud' Melman. And while those two facts alone cement him in the annuals of Letterman lore, there is so much more...
2022-08-191h 25The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 020 Tom 'Bones' MaloneTom 'Bones" Malone might be the most accomplished and interesting musician in all of entertainment. For the purposes of this show, Tom was the arranger and key member of the CBS orchestra for the entire run of The Late Show with David Letterman. For many, that would be considered legendary. But for Tom, its literally one of many accomplishments on a long list.
A maestro in both theory and practice, Tom has arranged 3,000 pieces of music, many of which were done on the fly. He is currently recording a Big Band record in his house, where he p...
2022-08-121h 07The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 019 Steve O'Donnell Part 2After the unexpected power outage that interrupted the epic conversation between head writer Steve O'Donnell and Mike was in the rearview mirror, the unlikely duo seamlessly continued their dialog. So for all who have been waiting with baited breath to find out how Steve and Shecky met, fear not! That question will be answered, along with others. What was one of the code names used for Dave? In this episode it's revealed, and the answer might surprise you. What is the word Steve used in his interview that got him hired? You must ingest this episode to find out. Mi...
2022-08-0548 minThe Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 017 The Post Mortem of Tina Fey with special guest Irene HoffmanIrene Hoffman is our second repeat guest on The Letterman Podcast and she is broadcasting from one of her and Rupert Jee's favorite spots on planet earth...Greece! Irene has taken time from her getaway to come back on the show and talk with Mike about the episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction featuring one of the comic geniuses of our generation, Tina Fey. Why that episode? Because Irene was there! She and Mike discuss her encounter during the Q&A before the show with Dave where he tried to get her seats right up front but...
2022-07-271h 26The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 016 Tom (Tommy) RuprechtTom, or Tommy (depending on who's asking) Ruprecht is a delightful human that also wrote for David Letterman for 12 years. He and Mike have a fantastic conversation about his time working at The Late Show that includes highlights and he outlines the writing process of many aspects of the show. As Tom and Mike get to know each other it becomes clear very quickly both men are happy and high energy which sets a fun atmosphere for this episode.
This episode is brought to you in part by the Hello Deli. If you are looking for Late Sh...
2022-07-221h 07The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 015 The Post Mortem of Jerry Seinfeld with special guest Rob KatesBonus Show!
While we enjoy our commitment to releasing new episodes every Friday, we also have had a lot of fun doing other shows with members of the community and putting them out for the hungry public to consume not unlike certain rats with certain pieces of pizza.
Today we release 'The Post Mortem of Jerry Seinfeld.' Rob Kates, our first returning guest, joins Mike to discuss one of their favorite episodes of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction AND Dave's appearance on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Mike and Rob really enjoy bantering ab...
2022-07-201h 19The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 014 J RyanThis episode of the Letterman Podcast is partially a tribute to Kathleen Ankers. Kathleen, while you are no longer with us in body, your spirit lives on, and if J and the rest of the Letterman Podcast Network community have anything to say about it, we will be discussing your work and the impact it made on us for many, many years to come. Thank you for all you did to be a major contributor to the Letterman and Company aesthetic and legacy, and for painting the pictures of many of our memories and visualizations pertaining to Late Night...
2022-07-151h 33The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 013 Arthur KellyArthur Kelly worked with his Worldwide Pants family for 15 years, and his job with the organization never changed. Arthur answered the phones on David Letterman's floor and was one of the last gatekeepers in charge of filtering the massive volume of calls the organization received. He did however, have a significant new task added to his job description along the way; portraying a parody of Former NFL coach and player (not in that order,) Mike Singletary off and on for nearly a decade on the Coach's Corner segment of The Late Show. Already a good friend with Mike, Artie...
2022-07-0850 min
The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 012 Daniel KellisonThere is an argument to be made that Daniel Kellison is one of the greatest segment producers in Late Night Television history, and no, we are not being hyperbolic in making that claim. Daniel started his career with David Letterman and Company in 1988 as a researcher, and worked his way up the ladder enthusiastically over the years. By the time 'The Late Shift' happened, Daniel was a very important part of the show, and when it moved to CBS and the entire world was watching, the entire staff rose to the occasion to create must see TV that was...
2022-07-011h 16The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 011 Jeff AltmanJeff Altman is a legendary entertainer. He is a stand up comedian of the highest regard, an actor of many disciplines, a musician (yes, drummers are musicians too;) and a close up magician. Jeff Altman also has known and been friends with David Letterman in 6 decades, from the 1970's to the present.
Becoming fast friends, Jeff and Mike have a delightful conversation about his history with Dave over the years, what it was like to go through some of the ups and downs with Dave, Jeff's style and method when it came to stand up and more. Th...
2022-06-241h 04The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 010 Irene HoffmanIrene Hoffman saw 'The Late Show' many times over its massive run, and has a lot of stories she can tell from the 20 plus years she made the regular pilgrimage to The Ed Sullivan Theater in New York. Along the way she also became the girlfriend of Rupert Jee, owner of the Hello Deli on 53rd street, and Late Show legendary mainstay. Wanna hear about the first time they met? This is the show for you, and it's quite the story indeed! Irene and Mike who are already good friends set the table for what will be sure to...
2022-06-171h 17The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 009 The Post Mortem of Julia Louis-Dreyfus with author Scott RyanFriend of the show and author of 'The Last Days of Letterman,' Scott Ryan joins Mike on the latest installment of 'The Post Mortem,' where they have an in-depth discussion of Dave's conversation and presentation of Julia Louis-Dreyfus on the latest season of 'My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.' Mike and Scott get into all sorts of nooks and cranny's featured in the episode. And yes, they talk at length about the profanity in Dave and Julia's conversation and what it means for us a society today. Insightful, and slightly entertaining, this episode of 'The Letterman P...
2022-06-141h 12The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 008 Tom Dreesen Part 2Once Again: Tom Dreesen has been performing for over 50 years, and is one of David Letterman's best friends, going all the way back to their stand up days at The Comedy Store. He is the author of two books: Tim and Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White, and Still Standing...My Journey from Streets and Saloons to the Stage, and Sinatra. In Part 2 of Tom's first appearance on 'The Letterman Podcast,' Tom and Mike talk about all the phases of David Letterman's broadcasting career, from the morning show all the way to Dave's latest venture 'That's My...
2022-06-101h 05The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 007 Tom Dreesen Part 1Tom Dreesen has been performing for over 50 years, and is one of David Letterman's best friends, going all the way back to their stand up days at The Comedy Store. He is the author of two books: Tim and Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White, and Still Standing...My Journey from Streets and Saloons to the Stage, and Sinatra. Tom jumped at the opportunity to come on our show and say some nice things about his friend Dave. But he and Mike get into WAY more than that! This episode explores Tom's early years, touching on his gro...
2022-06-031h 11The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 006 The Post Mortem of Kevin Durant with Rusty ShackelfordWelcome to the first installment of 'The Post Mortem,' one of the many special topic based episodes 'The Letterman Podcast' will release. The Post Mortem will revolve around special guests coming on the show to discuss new Letterman content not long after it's release. Its a celebration that Dave & Co are still putting out new material to add to the legendary body of work they have created during the past four decades. This episode focusses on NBA living legend Kevin Durant and his featured episode on My Next Guest With David Letterman, released on May 20, 2022, the seven year...
2022-05-301h 15The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast 005 Mark MalkoffMark Malkoff is a comedian, writer and created and has been the host of 'The Carson Podcast' since 2014. He also worked for 'The Late Show with David Letterman in the audience coordination department for just over 11 months back in the show's heyday. On this episode of The Letterman Podcast, Mike enthusiastically invites Mark to be a part of the community we here at the show are building, and the two have a delightful conversation about favorite moments in David Letterman & Company's legendary run. Mark was on hand for some legendary moments, including the final anniversary episode and the tribute e...
2022-05-251h 20The Letterman PodcastBonus Episode! The Lettermanifesto!This is a hi def recording of The Letterman Podcast. It was first broadcast on FB live, in a livestream format that had some glitches. If there were an episode where Mike makes it about him, this is it. Normally, it will be his honor to make every single episode about the guest, and the conversation. In this episode however, Mike reads, The Lettermanifesto; his retelling of his brush with the show, making David Letterman laugh, and getting their exchange in the New York Times and the New Yorker, in a photo taken by a Pulitzer winning photographer no...
2022-05-151h 36The Letterman PodcastThe Letterman Podcast Episode 001 Darin CoxThis is the inaugural episode of The Letterman Podcast, and we could not have asked for a better representation of what this show is about! Darin Cox, host of 'The Irritable Dad Syndrome' Podcast took time out of his schedule to talk to Mike about all one of his many fantastic encounters with The Late Show! He relays the story about how one time when visiting the show on Valentine's Day, he was put into a segment with Elle Macpherson! He and Mike bond over their shared love of Letterman and all his incarnations, and much more! For all t...
2022-04-201h 08
Living Fearless TodayMike Chisholm : how to elevate your life by having a thriving mindsetMy guest is Mike Chisholm - an author, host of the heCast podcast and a financial advisor. Mike shares how the guidance and mindset he was trained under didn't serve him well; it set him on a settling & safe path. In realizing the limitations of this belief system, he then set out to learn and grow into thriving instead of merely surviving. While many men may see the finish line in working a full day, Mike instead saw it as a starting line where he could begin building his family's wealth.Through heCast, both Mike and his...
2022-01-2556 min