David Letterman’s triumphant reign as America’s longest serving talk show host has earned him 57 Emmy nominations – the second most ever – winning 6 of them, along with a whole host of other awards and accolades. Plus, he brought the word ‘Jackass’ to TV.
Here are just a few of our favourite Letterman moments:
Weatherman
Letterman’s career began on Indianapolis stations WNTS (AM) and WLWI (now called WTHR) as a talk show host, anchor, and weatherman. He quickly became renowned for his unpredictable on-air behaviour, reporting on weather for fictitious cities and predicting hail stones “the size of canned hams.”
In this clip, a satellite film glitch has had some interesting consequence. Letterman points out these “government dirty dealings” – “the higher-ups have removed the border between Indiana and Ohio, making it one giant state. Personally, I’m against it.”
That time Cher called him an asshole
Just one of his many feuds, Letterman made a running joke of Cher’s many relationships with younger men, so it’s no surprise that when she finally made her debut after four years of mocking, it was sure to be memorable. This clip from 1986 shows one of their many sparring matches, with Cher admitting that she didn’t want to do the show because she thought Dave was an “asshole.” She’s continued to appear on his show ever since, bidding him farewell two weeks ago.
That Joaquin Phoenix interview
The world thought he’d gone crazy – failing to string together a single sentence and sporting a dishevelled-looking beard and sunglasses. We, and Letterman, learned Joaquin Phoenix’s wacky appearance on The Late Show in 2009 was just a prank as part of his mockumentary I’m Still Here, but Letterman shows who’s the pro.
Dave at Taco Bell
One of his most popular pranks of all time, Letterman’s spell working the drive-thru at Taco Bell ended with some hilarious results – greeting unwitting customers with awkward requests, asking if one could buy him lunch and pissing off countless others, including one woman who just drives off. Eventually, one frustrated customer asked him if he was Howard Stern. Cue even more laughter from both Letterman and the studio audience.
Top Ten “things I wish I could have said to David Letterman”
An all-star cast including Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin and Bill Murray salute Letterman in his final top ten list, telling him all the things they wish they’d said.
You might like
Vintage photos of London street life at the turn of the millennium
London 1995-2005 — In her new photobook, Joan Piekny reflects on a decade shooting the styles and subcultures of the UK capital’s streets, just before technology .
Written by: Miss Rosen
Princess Julia: “I always state my age as I can’t believe I’m still around”
First lady — As the latest Artist-In-Residence of Huck 83, the London nightlife legend speaks to Josh Jones and provides a few recommendations and words of wisdom.
Written by: Josh Jones
A luminous portrait of Black life over six decades
Shared Memories — As staff photographer for The New York Times, Chester Higgins captured Black culture and spiritual connection like no other. A new exhibition celebrates his life and impact.
Written by: Miss Rosen
A tender portrait of life and ritual from Mexico City’s streets
Órale — For the last six years of his life, photographer, collector and designer Michel Hurst documented death rituals, street life and religious pageantry in contemporary Mexico. A new monograph showcases his work.
Written by: Roxana Diba
In photos: Washington DC’s Black communities facing up to gentrification
A Language We Share — A new exhibition featuring the work of Beverly Price and Gordon Parks preserves historically Black neighbourhoods in the USA, before development and economic forces made them disappear.
Written by: Miss Rosen
The London passport picture studio that became an unexpected repository of 20th century stars
Passport Photo Service — From Mick and Bianca Jagger to Muhammad Ali and Poly Styrene, the unassuming Oxford Street store was frequented by hundreds of musicians, actors, artists and more over its 70 years of operation.
Written by: Miss Rosen
