The Letterman Podcast

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 Bra...

This week’s guest on The Letterman Podcast is Zoran Zgonc, whose career in television has taken him through many roles, including his most recent position as Vice President for Development at Migilla Entertainment. Zoran’s journey began with a dream job—working for his comedy hero as a researcher for Late Show with David Letterman. He and Mike have a fantastic conversation delving into all sorts o...

This week’s guest is Indiana’s own Hugh Fink, an Emmy Award-winning writer for Saturday Night Live, stand-up comic who appeared on Late Show with David Letterman four times, and current Harvard University faculty member, where he teaches comedy sketch writing. Hugh also offers personal coaching for comedy writers and performers. He is also head writer for the Writer's Guild Awards and has writ...

This week’s guest features Eileen O'Brien, who has an impressive background in show business and film festivals, and she’s also known for her work with Kevin Kay and his team at 30 Rock in the mid-80s, creating cue cards for some of the most iconic shows on television. Eileen is the subject of the short documentary Cue Card Girl, which can be found in many places, including YouTube. The docume...

Episode 137 of The Letterman Podcast is a special one as our guest this week is none other than Anton Fig, who was the drummer for the World’s Most Dangerous Band and the CBS Orchestra for 29 years. Anton and Mike have a fantastic conversation about his time on the show and his life outside of it. They discuss various projects he was part of, such as working with Ace Frehley and almost becoming a...

This week’s guest is the host of the Daily Comedy News podcast, Johnny Mack. Johnny, whose full name is John McDermott, is a veteran in broadcasting whose career has spanned decades both in the studio and behind the scenes. After his lengthy time in terrestrial radio, John was brought on board Sirius Satellite Radio during its infancy and was given the formidable task of building out and producing...

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 chi...

Episode 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 h...

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...

Episode 132 of The Letterman Podcast features the delightful Shannon Eis, who appeared on Late Show with David Letterman 19 times between 2003 and 2014 in a recurring segment showcasing upcoming toys for both the holiday and summer seasons. Shannon is delightful, insightful, and a communicator at the highest level. Shannon and Mike dive deep into how she accidentally got into the study of play as...

Episode 131 of The Letterman Podcast takes you on a journey through day three of our Hollywood adventure. Mike’s wife, Candace, joins him as they recount the Wednesday of his trip, which included a breakfast with the legendary Robert Morton, an incredibly moving and unexpected moment at the iconic Comedy Store, and hanging out with Late Night bumpers author and former Letterman photographer, Marc...

Episode 130 of The Letterman Podcast features Brian Cimino, a true utility player for the Late Show with David Letterman. What’s a utility? You gotta watch the episode to find out! Brian and Mike have an awesome conversation about his time at the show from 2003 all the way to the end, and his ongoing career at the Late Show with Stephen Colbert to this day. Brian shares delightful stories about Pa...

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 Lett...

Episode 128 of The Letterman Podcast features Hillary Rollins, daughter of the legendary Hollywood manager Jack Rollins. In this episode, Mike sits down with Hillary to discuss her father’s remarkable career and his profound influence on the world of comedy and entertainment. Jack Rollins managed and produced for some of the most iconic comedians in history, including Woody Allen, Robin Williams,...

Episode 127 of The Letterman Podcast features the return of Mark Malkoff, founder and host of over 400 episodes of The Carson Podcast. Mark is now launching his new show, Inside Late Night, sponsored by latenighter.com. Mark and Mike have a tremendous catch-up, effortlessly navigating through all aspects of late-night television, past and present, with a particular focus on Letterman. Sponsors: As...

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 journ...

🎙️ 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-wr...

Episode 124 of The Letterman Podcast features the incredibly talented bass player, Will Lee. Will is returning to The Letterman Podcast after his iconic run on both "Late Night with David Letterman" and "The Late Show with David Letterman." In this episode, Will joins Mike for a lively conversation about his experiences and memories from his time on the show, as well as his ext...

🎙️ Episode 123 of The Letterman Podcast features the return of our good friend, Scott Ryan. Among his many books, Scott wrote “The Last Days of Letterman,” chronicling the final six weeks of David Letterman’s legendary late-night run. He’s also penned oral histories on “30 Something” and “Moonlighting,” multiple books about David Lynch and Twin Peaks, and has a new book coming out, “The Last Decad...

Join us for a special two-year anniversary celebration of The Letterman Podcast! This episode is dedicated to every guest who has generously shared their time, everyone who has contributed behind-the-scenes, and our incredible viewers and listeners who have embraced us as we stumble forward. In this milestone episode, we’re honored to welcome Helen Halford and her uncle Preston Bealle, the winners...

Get ready for an enlightening conversation on Episode 121 of The Letterman Podcast, featuring television historian Allison Lips. With a profound interest and deep knowledge of the history of the medium, Allison joins us for a deep dive into the world of late-night television. During our discussion, Allison shares her love, appreciation, and expertise for the late-night genre, past, and present, hi...

Get ready for an engaging conversation on Episode 120 of The Letterman Podcast, featuring the talented graphic artist, Bill Shortridge. Bill’s illustrious career spans several iconic television projects, including his work with NBC during the early years of ‘Saturday Night Live,’ David Letterman’s morning show, and ‘Late Night with David Letterman.’ As a graphic artist, Bill made significant contr...

Get ready for an enlightening conversation as we welcome Donick Cary to The Letterman Podcast! Donick’s comedy journey began in Nantucket, where he dreamt of working for David Letterman. His aspiration became a reality when he landed an internship at ‘Late Night with David Letterman,’ which eventually led to a position as a writer on the iconic late-night show. From intern to writer, Donick’s jour...

Get ready for a musical journey! Episode 118 of The Letterman Podcast, features the incredible horn blower, Al Chez! 🎺 Join Al and Mike as they dive into Al’s fascinating musical background, from his formative years playing on the Jersey Shore with fellow musicians like Bruce Kapler and a young Jon Bon Jovi, to his first encounters with Late-Night legends Paul Shaffer and Will Lee. Discover how A...

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 Mic...