The Letterman Podcast

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 s...

At the time of this episode's release, it’s been eight years since David Letterman finished his legendary run in late night broadcast television. We at The Letterman Podcast wanted to mark the occasion with some very special content, beginning with this episode. Robert Morton was with Dave's Late Night from its debut in 1982 and became the show's Executive Producer by 1992, a position...

Jonathan Green (along with his writing partner Gabe Miller,) wrote for Late Show with David Letterman from 2001-2004. The pair then left and worked on all sorts of projects including the final season of 'The Office,' and went on to be major contributors to the NBC hit 'Superstore.' In this episode, Jonathan fills us in on where he came from, when he met Gabe, how they started their...

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 trave...

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 Letter...

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...

During 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...

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 reg...

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. Rememb...

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&#3...

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...

In 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 bri...

It's our very first mash up episode and we could not be more excited! Two legendary Letterman writers, former officemates, and previous guests of the Letterman Podcast reunite to talk about some of their memories of the show. Gerard and Jeff both were part of the very fabric that helped create Late Night with David Letterman. It's a tremendous honor for us to help create these moments, and that is...

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 mo...

Jason 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...

Felicia Collins Part 2 picks up exactly where part 1 left off with the revelation that David Letterman has perfect pitch. In the conclusion of this lovely conversation, Felicia shares all sorts of stories and memories of moments both on the show and off that impacted her. They discuss running jokes, such as Paul wearing 'the cape,' special band numbers, like when they performed 'MacArthur Park,' a...

Felicia 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 expe...

The 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...

Jeff 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...

Irene 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 M...

Ken Corum and Scott Anderson are teachers, best buddies, and members of the David Letterman & Company enthusiast community. With 7 days until the very last Late Show with David Letterman, Ken received a phone call informing him that if he wanted them, he had two tickets for the show the very next day. That was the Late Show featuring former President Bill Clinton wishing Dave a fond retirement...

Gabe 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 monol...

David 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...

Due to technical difficulties out of our control, this episode did not air on its intended time for a few of the podcast platforms. Being that its a Christmas episode, we know that has probably caused a lot of concern, and frankly ruined more than a few of our viewers/listeners holiday season. For that we sincerely apologize. Someone must have kicked out the plug.  It's The Letterman Podcast'...

Due 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 a...