EPISODE · Jan 27, 2026 · 3 MIN
David Letterman
from Laugh Tracks Legends of Comedy with Randy and Steve · host Randy Hodgins and Steve McLellan
Great interviews? Check! Superb musical guest? Check! How about Stupid Pet Tricks, Top Ten Lists, and stunts such as having the host work a McDonald's Drive Thru? If the Legend is David Letterman, check all those boxes. For decades we have welcomed David Letterman and his singular brand of comedy into our homes. And it's really no wonder, because Dave ruled a late night empire that was an authentic representation of its host -- a bit of midwestern "aw shucks" blended with a blinding quick wit and a taste for goofball stunts. Starting as a tv weatherman in his home state of Indiana, Dave caught fire after moving to Los Angeles in the late 1970s. In LA Dave became a popular standup and a favorite of Johnny Carson (who really wanted Dave to succeed him on the Tonight Show). When NBC tapped Jay Leno to succeed Johnny, Dave made the leap to CBS where he remained until 2015. But Dave would gather no moss after retiring his late night show (other than an impressive "retirement beard"), starting a Netflix interview show, popping up at awards shows, and inducting his longtime pal Warren Zevon into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As always find extended clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Dave? If you haven't seen a clip of Dave as a tv weatherman way back when, enjoy this little bit of late night host history.https://youtu.be/k66ek3AYz30?si=hs1n9b7JW8EyVQq5 It pays to have friends. In Dave's case the friend was Johnny Carson and boy did that pay off big time! Here's Dave's first appearance on The Tonight Show. https://youtu.be/TbSaBzO3tXA?si=w82sUqH5eihfo_QM Dave's late night shows spawned many great bits, none better than the Top Ten List. Here is one delivered by Don Rickles (another Legend), though Dave gets a few good shots in! https://youtu.be/jsSP0hScELo?si=WLjFnaX6yAoxbbDA Dave had a long time friend in Warren Zevon, featuring him frequently as a guest and also an occasional standing for bandleader Paul Shaffer. So when Warren was (FINALLY!) inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame it was Dave who did the honors. https://youtu.be/CYYzqt68dnE?si=MVoumj7iMUS4kzEl
What this episode covers
Great interviews? Check! Superb musical guest? Check! How about Stupid Pet Tricks, Top Ten Lists, and stunts such as having the host work a McDonald's Drive Thru? If the Legend is David Letterman, check all those boxes. For decades we have welcomed David Letterman and his singular brand of comedy into our homes. And it's really no wonder, because Dave ruled a late night empire that was an authentic representation of its host -- a bit of midwestern "aw shucks" blended with a blinding quick wit and a taste for goofball stunts. Starting as a tv weatherman in his home state of Indiana, Dave caught fire after moving to Los Angeles in the late 1970s. In LA Dave became a popular standup and a favorite of Johnny Carson (who really wanted Dave to succeed him on the Tonight Show). When NBC tapped Jay Leno to succeed Johnny, Dave made the leap to CBS where he remained until 2015. But Dave would gather no moss after retiring his late night show (other than an impressive "retirement beard"), starting a Netflix interview show, popping up at awards shows, and inducting his longtime pal Warren Zevon into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As always find extended clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Dave? If you haven't seen a clip of Dave as a tv weatherman way back when, enjoy this little bit of late night host history.https://youtu.be/k66ek3AYz30?si=hs1n9b7JW8EyVQq5 It pays to have friends. In Dave's case the friend was Johnny Carson and boy did that pay off big time! Here's Dave's first appearance on The Tonight Show. https://youtu.be/TbSaBzO3tXA?si=w82sUqH5eihfo_QM Dave's late night shows spawned many great bits, none better than the Top Ten List. Here is one delivered by Don Rickles (another Legend), though Dave gets a few good shots in! https://youtu.be/jsSP0hScELo?si=WLjFnaX6yAoxbbDA Dave had a long time friend in Warren Zevon, featuring him frequently as a guest and also an occasional standing for bandleader Paul Shaffer. So when Warren was (FINALLY!) inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame it was Dave who did the honors. https://youtu.be/CYYzqt68dnE?si=MVoumj7iMUS4kzEl
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David Letterman
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