Late Night with David Letterman (1982)
The groundbreaking NBC late-night comedy talk show that redefined the genre, hosted by David Letterman from 1982 to 1993.
Late Night with David Letterman - Series Information
- Original Title: Late Night with David Letterman
- First Air Year: 1982
- Last Air Year: 1993
- Created by: Lorne Michaels
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Talk
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 12
- Number of Episodes: 1,377
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: NBC
- Production Companies: Worldwide Pants, Carson Productions, NBC Productions
Late Night with David Letterman - Plot
Late Night with David Letterman is a nightly hour-long comedy talk show on NBC that was created and hosted by David Letterman. It premiered in 1982 as the first incarnation of the Late Night franchise and went off the air in 1993, after Letterman left NBC and moved to Late Show on CBS. Late Night with Conan O'Brien then filled the time slot. As of March 2, 2009, the slot has been filled by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. It will be filled by Seth Meyers in the spring of 2014, after Fallon becomes host of The Tonight Show.
Late Night with David Letterman - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Lorne Michaels
Main Cast
- David Letterman
- Lou Reed
- Jay Leno
- Dolly Parton
- Darlene Love
- Joel Hodgson
- Timothy Busfield
- Shelley Winters
- Penelope Ann Miller
- Bill Cosby
Writers
- Kevin Curran
- Merrill Markoe
- Rob Burnett
- Eddie Gorodetsky
- Donick Cary
Executive Producers
- David Letterman
- Jack Rollins
- Peter Lassally
Late Night with David Letterman - FAQs
What is Late Night with David Letterman about?
Late Night with David Letterman was a nightly hour-long comedy talk show on NBC hosted by David Letterman. Known for its irreverent humor, offbeat segments, and unconventional celebrity interviews, it ran from 1982 to 1993 and became one of the most influential programs in late-night television history.
Why did David Letterman leave NBC's Late Night?
David Letterman left NBC in 1993 after being passed over for The Tonight Show hosting role following Johnny Carson's retirement. NBC chose Jay Leno instead, prompting Letterman to move to CBS, where he launched Late Show with David Letterman. Conan O'Brien then took over the Late Night time slot.
How many seasons and episodes does Late Night have?
Late Night with David Letterman ran for 12 seasons and produced a remarkable 1,377 episodes in total. The show aired nightly on NBC from February 1, 1982, through June 25, 1993, making it one of the longest-running late-night programs of its era.
Who created Late Night with David Letterman?
Late Night with David Letterman was created by Lorne Michaels, the legendary television producer best known for Saturday Night Live. The show was executive produced by David Letterman himself alongside Jack Rollins and Peter Lassally, and was produced under Worldwide Pants and Carson Productions for NBC.
Who were the main writers on Late Night?
The writing staff of Late Night with David Letterman included notable talents such as Merrill Markoe, Kevin Curran, Rob Burnett, Adam Resnick, Eddie Gorodetsky, Donick Cary, Andy Breckman, Joe Toplyn, Steve Young, and Sandy Frank, many of whom went on to distinguished careers in television comedy.
Was Late Night with David Letterman critically acclaimed?
Yes, Late Night with David Letterman earned widespread critical acclaim and is regarded as one of the most innovative late-night shows ever made. Its absurdist humor, Top Ten Lists, Stupid Pet Tricks, and unconventional interview style revolutionized the genre and influenced virtually every late-night host who followed.
What network aired Late Night with David Letterman?
Late Night with David Letterman aired exclusively on NBC throughout its entire run from 1982 to 1993. It occupied the post-Tonight Show time slot, typically airing weeknights at 12:30 AM Eastern. After Letterman's departure, the slot was taken over by Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
What shows are similar to Late Night with David Letterman?
Fans of Late Night with David Letterman may enjoy Late Show with David Letterman (1993), Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014), The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014), The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2005), and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015), all of which share the late-night talk show format.
More About Late Night with David Letterman
Explore further details about this landmark late-night series through these authoritative sources.