When John McEnroe Met David Bowie | Letterman
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- John talks about the time he met Bowie, why tennis is boring now and more.
(From "Late Show," air date: 9/13/96)
#johnmcenroe #tennis #letterman
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"The older I get the better I used to be". Great line.
Reminded me a bit of the famous quote from Gary Player the golfer who said, ....."The harder I practise, the luckier I get." .....
Swiped from Lee Trevino wasn't it?
@@mnd1955 lee does have a real gift of gab
I'm stealing that one for myself.
So glad I was around when John was playing.
John McEnroe is the most unorthodox and most naturally talented tennis player ever.
Is he?
@@ronbuil6923 I can see making the argument for that statement. McEnroe never did any other type of physical training, all he did was play tennis. And becoming one of the best in the world at it would demonstrate a natural ability.
@@marcd1981 I think it was mostly the eye/hand coordination - amazingly quick and agile.
Ummm, for your statement to be true do you have to combine both of your descriptions of him? Because otherwise he is neither.
Just watched this. Lol
Excellent interview by an excellent tennis player who brought much entertainment to the tennis world of champions
I thought he was just an angry tennis player but he outsmarted David Letterman.
He's captivating
I always liked watching him play tennis matches.
I love listening to McEnroe. I liked him even when I disliked him if you know what I mean.
yeah .....I get ya ...
No….which is it?
@@john_mckinney which is it ? WHICH IS IT !? !? You CANNOT be serious !! ??? You are the PITS man !!!
@@bobbybisset4103 *pits of the world
@@john_mckinney I stand corrected
Great stuff
MCENROE IS A GREAT PERSONALITY. EVERYBODY HAS BEEN LOBOTOMIZED THESE DAYS.
He seems nice.
1996 and they are old .
2022. Are they still alive
he just knows you can't slam a car in fiber racket, it just does not splinter like the wood rackets
Didn’t he admit his tantrums were gamesmanship
No
@@georgegoulet5545 yes
@@lupinbrabablebix9840 Nope! Watch the video again. Listen to his own words. He said Ilie Nastase did that, but he, John, did not.
Am I the only one that waited the entire interview for Bowie to show up?
No your Not........!!
I’m a big fan of both, and I knew that Mr Jones wasn’t gonna be there. I’m very familiar with that story, I read it in John’s book and I’ve heard it in other interviews
Yep. It was all of ten seconds, in spite of it being the title of the video.
@@JustanoldrunnerSame here. 👍
Two of my favorite people… John McEnroe and David letterman. I remember in grade school telling my parents I had a stomach ache so I could stay home and watch Dave’s daytime show.
@@Hugatree1 I just googled it. Thanks
I was legit sick for a week and watched the show everyday.
I had the Measles And the Chicken Pox when I was a kid. That doesn't sound right...
I watched it too, and enjoyed the smart, irreverent, goofy humor, which was a new angle on comedy at that time. Although I liked his nighttime show (except maybe the last couple years), I still enjoyed the daytime show best, because he seemed to play a lot "looser" then.
8:53 - David Bowie story
McEnroe breathes life and excitement into every match he calls.
Absolutely, his reading of a match as it unfolds is second to none.
Agreed. McEnroe never planned on having a career after tennis in broadcasting. Watch his fascinating interview with Graham Bensinger
I like to think of McEnroe as the John Madden of tennis.
But while the great John Madden brought color and excitement to the broadcast, McEnroe brings even more. He tells us how players think, how situations change during a match, and other insights that make the competition more interesting. And he does it all with humility and zero ego. It's a refreshing new side of him that we didn't see when he was playing.
Don't remember saying that 🤔😂
Too many people got offended by John, there was so much humour in his work that they missed.
1:55 - Just goes to show how often misunderstood McEnroe is. I understood that compliment perfectly the first time he said it while the audience reacts like that... and it even didn't click right away with Dave which is pretty funny for a supposedly good listener that he is.
@@gardenwarrior77 John said "The older I get, the better I used to be", then he said, "unlike Dave", meaning Dave was getting better as he got older. Went over Dave's and the audience's heads.
Dave thanking John towards the end there is as close to sentimental as Dave ever gets.
And John retorted with the same sentiment so quickly and so naturally too...
yes. a great moment
Late 70’s thru early 80’s tennis was put on the map with the perfect storm of personality/talent with the likes of John, Jimmy and Bjorn…now that was true sports drama at its best.
True. So many amazing grand slam matches in that era.
Always remember Mac saying with his usual arrogance but also confidence, that he was angry Borg quit the game as ' the world then did not get to see more of the best tennis and games ever'.
Fact is, he was right. The tension and absolute drama of their 1980 final was incredible. It was indeed a tragedy we did not get more repeats of this. The next times they played Borg was giving up and about to retire.
What a great interview. Man, Dave was completely focused and attentive to JM and every detail of the conversation. He was so genuine and truly interested. He's not usually like that, in my view.
His last comment is a testament to that. He admires McEnroe.
Wanna know something, I was gonna write almost exactly what you wrote, Thanks! 😆
Mac draws attention out of everyone he talks to.
I completely agree❣️👍🏼
When Letterman had his heart procrdure Johnny Mac hosted the show.
Wow. Dave masterfully managed John's ego. Great interview
that's because they respect each other :) ... I can see a huge respect coming from john towards dave. otherwise ... :D
McEnroe and Harrison Ford are the most unfiltered guest and two of my favorites being interviewed by anyone!!
gotta love John, he's not only very direct, but he's also very accurate and fun to listen too
McEnroe is so correct about wood racquets. Graphite should be for children, in the same way aluminum bats are.
The sport gave into the equipment manufacturers.
That was one of THE BIGGEST mistakes the professional sport of tennis made.
@@AvengerII Agreed. Today's players would have troubles with the wooden racquets.
@@charlesray9674 I've used them and the wooden rackets ARE more uncomfortable but they also force you TO STRATEGIZE and PRIORITIZE shots.
Tennis is too much of a power game now for both the Men's and Women's sides. It's boring to watch matches that are decided mostly on power serves and swings.
It would be a completely different game like it was in the 1970s and early 1980s if they brought back wooden rackets.
They're TOO DUMB to do this because people are addicted to power rackets. To be honest, I was never that good a player but I noticed I had an easier time controlling the ball with thinner rackets and smaller faces.
Baseball did the right thing for its sport by standardizing bats and balls.
@@AvengerII And that's why there's so many "power" servers with poor ground stokes 😔
He knew what he was talking about back then... Look what happened -- the advancement in raquet technology finally killed the serve-and-volley style.
Two masters of their crafts. The mutual respect brings a smile to my face, in a time where smiles just don't happen often. Great interview.
To, Two, Too. So close, a 1 in 3 chance.
@@OMGWTFLOLSMH ?!? What are you talking about? There are no errors in his comment.
Something about McEnroe's life really touched Letterman. He really must have loved those Borg McEnroe matches. Great movie about Borg and McEnroe was released, recently. Who knew they were similar at one time?
The most natural position for a talk show host to sit: behind and to the left of the guest.
Bizarre.
Very strange
Greatest Tennis player to ever play Tennis! God he made the sport fun!
Greatest in his era.
I was a ranked junior tennis player (too small to be really good) when McEnroe had those epic battles with Borg. He was my favorite. I was really sad when he lost in the US Open semis to Sampras- I reallized that was the end of an era. I love both these guys - they were such a part of our lives back then.
He did take a set against the machine that was Sampras back then. Sampras control of his serve games was bananas.
I remember that match!
@@maddymud yes
"(too small to be really good)"
With all due respect, how do you explain Diego Schwartzman?
@@georgegoulet5545 Or Michael Chang
mcenroe did not have to rely on physical size and graphite rackets etc, he had natural talent and a desire to win.
So sweet. 2 degrees of separation, John dated my best friend in college when they were in high school.
So enjoyable. Mc Enrol is so intelligent, and Dave is such a great interviewer
Dave was passionate about this one. He normally sleepwalks through his movie and TV celeb interviews.
Gotta admit - this was a great interview and McEnroe was a great guest. Both of these guys are witty as heck.
I'm English but John McEnroe has always been a sporting hero of mine.
Back when tennis was awesome.
why do you have to say you're English, what was your point/purpose?
@@mickydee7502 Being English, any sporting hero of mine would normally be English or represent England. As Mac is American, i thought i'd point that out, i hope that clears it up?
@@MillwallOlly RACIST!!
@@MillwallOlly There's something nefarious behind that 🤔
😁 Today's players would have difficulties with wooden racquets. I miss those days where you attack the net
Saw him play back in the day and he was unique. Scrawniest athlete ever. Now, he's the best commentator. A witty clever guy who doesn't talk bs.
Aren’t all the top helliweird entertainment, industry created multimillionaire sellout deceiver, male tennis players, gender inverted biological females, masquerading as males, and Vice Versa regarding the top female tennis players allegedly?
I tried playing like John McEnroe, serve and volley, etc. It really messed up my game for a while. Then I realized he has a very unusual style and a soft touch, plus he's a lefty.
He destroyed my game as well trying to play like him. No one could imitate his style of play...
I tried serving like him in a hard practice session and wrecked my back!
Not nearly long enough!
I could listen to John MacEnroe for an hour and still want more. He is wonderfully honest and straightforward.
YOU CAN NOT BE SERIOUS! This was a great clip with McEnroe.
We'll be right back with Illeana Douglas.
ATQJ!
Great interview. Rare to see Dave admire someone that much
Dave was King of the Smart Alec's. Such an unusual personality, but so damn funny. I miss when humor ruled. And not PC BS.
I know. I used to so look forward to late night TV. It would be funny and you'd see some cool acts.
Now I don't even get broadcast television. I specifically DON'T want to watch his show, or what's left of it...
@@MrFg1980 Quit watching cable tv in 97 with the pc culture starting to get speed.
Now even a commercial makes me barf so glad I never had kids.
this is what i love about McEnroe. He tells you precisely where you stand. Hes not trying to hurt your feelings..... hes trying to be as honest with you as possible.
That’s a New Yorker
This is an interview masterclass for both hosts and guests. Wonderful conversation, wit, banter, and entertainment!
So obviously rehearsed.
McEnroe completely messed up his tennis career when he got hooked up with the Hollywood crowd. That completely changed the direction of his life.
I did some work for Mr. Head, the founder of the Head sports equipment company. As the story goes, he had some success with his first venture which was developing better skis. He bought a nice-sized house down the street from me and happen to have a tennis court. He tried playing tennis but wasn't very good. He decided to engineer a new tennis racket with a larger sweet spot, helping him hit the ball more often and better. So, Mr. Head may have contributed to the increase in racket size across the industry.
Wow what an interview. The best Ive seen of Letterman. Didnt realise we got so bad compared even to 1996
I seriously think something happened around the turn of the century. I don't know if it was September 11th or what, but that was when Dave started tanking.He'd joke about how he wasn't really trying anymore, but I think it was really true, once he figured out CBS wasn't ever going to fire him, he stopped trying. And I really think the main reason he stayed on the air as long as he did was because he wanted to beat Johnny's record.
He is the narrator on a Netflix show called "never have i ever" , he is hysterical!!!!!!!!!
Indeed, Mac’s narration is sooooo funny! Totally recommended.
such a lovely conversation. I enjoyed every second of it. These gentlemen are the true definition of being classy.
Where's the Dave and Johnny Mac buddy car trip movie we did know we needed???
He was always a quick thinker. His responses are as sharp as his volleys.
Friday 13th September 1996
Two guys who made it on their own terms. Not surprising they have a huge mutual respect for one another. The new McEnroe documentary on Showtime is great BTW.
The fact that he's a legit musician as well and meeting David Bowie
you got to love mac. hes a straight forward honest person. a rare gem. even tho he comes across ego arrogrant. and a huge cry baby when he played. but i think its he played a role to get an edge. but i see him as an true honest person.
wow...it is startling how far the late night shows have fallen.
Play with the wood and a bigger head and the audience were triggered
Not in a woke way, but I love both of these men. Truth, humor and always stand up for themselves against all detractors.
A 'woke' way? What is that
@@theballlightningvideos I could be wrong, but it could possibly mean he just loves them, but not due to any ethnic, biological, racial, ideological or sexual disctions that they may have as sentient beings. Very much a classic interpretation of the word love, you know like how words used to just mean what they meant back in the day, before all these fruitcake yank academics drove the younger generations completely insane with all the absolute bleeding nonsense they filled their heads with.
@@theballlightningvideos He means gay
rockin the villainous chin beard lol
When men were men. I have a great deal of respect for both of these guys. They both seem like men of conviction to me.
and Patti and John still married after 23 years...
Used to hate McEnroe when he acted like a brat in the late 70's but Ive completely changed my mind about him these days. Great pundit and very likeable.
Really entertaiining. Mcenroe is perfect talk show guest, full of personality and totally engaged.
Classic - McEnroe and Connors always my favorites growing up. And I grew up watching letterman - I started watching him at 1230after Carson. I was in grade school I’d be going to school exhausted 😆
I think David Letterman was the only one there to get the Rebel Rebel reference .
Way refreshing honesty (and talent)... reminds me in multiples of a good friend who played the tennis circuit.
He's married to Patti Smyth of Scandal..."She is the Warrior". :)
I always loved that BRAT !
john mcenroe is who inspired me to play guitar
After he retired, it turned out he had been right in 70% of his calls... So naturally, they called him the 'troublemaker'....🥴
A little harsh on the Jensen brothers - they managed to win a major doubles title .
Agree. they brought fun and the public to doubles.
Love the David Bowie story. A great interview but that was the cherry on the cake.
Bowie told that story too. He said he heard someone in the hotel getting the repeating guitar riff wrong, and he thought it was funny when the guy who opened the door was John McEnroe.
It really does sound like a genuine David Bowie encounter: Gracious, but humorously BLUNT! 💙😎
I'd heard this story before on Radio. that's why l clicked on the video ! Rebel, Rebel, shows great taste of rock music, too !
I always wondered if Bowie taught him the riff over a couple of beers.
What a lovely person! When that match adrenaline hits on, well, that's a different story for everybody
Just watched McEnroe's special on Showtime last night. The old footage is, of course classic - but it was cool to see how his life evolved. To hear his adult children speak about what kind of dad he was. Seems like overall he did a pretty good job with them.
Luke and Murphy won the French Open doubles.
Greatest of all time? Doesn't matter, he was/is the favorite of nearly all smart-asses.
just realised how I figure liking McEnroe when I was young and not that into tennis is because he seemed to bring a bit of hockey to it. A lot of tennis players seem like they have personality disorders. Honestly. What is Nadal like out for a pint? Do they clap so slow and quiet in case the players get interesting and it might seem like sport? If you can dodge a wrench you can dodge a ball.
you nailed it with the hockey thing ....
Take-aways: #1 - Go back to wood rackets. #2 - Bowie is the coolest.
Wow Dave was pretty good when he liked his guests....
Great player and articulate to boot.
7:15 into it John makes a disparaging, agism remark "Umpires falling asleep on the job.. 65-year-old guys calling the lines...." Then Dave makes an off-the-cuff joke and says "Paul? I... Just checking to see if you're awake." That's some quick thinking, he's a really sharp guy.
Nice shirt, anyone know who designed it?
I stopped watching Tennis when the personalities stopped playing tennis.
... John is an incredibly entertaining speaker. Definitely an intellect as fierce as that temper. Love to hear him speak the truth...
Two-for-one sale at Sheinhardt Wig Company!
Tell 'em Dave sent ya for an extra 10% off.
Great interview. Letterman at the top of his game had it all... rapier wit, charm and well informed smarts!!!
Pete Woodroffe Music
The audience is so stupid they didn’t get that he said he’s getting better and saying he’s getting worse 🤣🤣🤣
Dave didn't get it either too.
his determination to keep eye contact is impressive. weird, but impressive 😆
That was a clickbait title...
He was the reason i watched Tennis back in the the day,...
John for the most part became a great commentator after his tennis career. He's always enjoyable for me at least to listen to.
It was the rackets that made tennis fun to watch then they did away with wooden rackets now boring.
Agree on the wooden rackets, remember using both when the new age ones came out.
Its like running an old school car around a track taking skill vs one with computers keeping you from becoming part of the guard rail.
Never seen Dave so truly respectful.
the agassi interview is good too.
Dave didn't wanna find out if John could still turn into a banshee over an officially wrong comment.
If framing houses was tennis i would be him
Mac loves RUSH !
These people were real, they were celebrities as a result of their talents. Not celebs because they were celebs, which is why they were so interesting.
I don't think he lacks filter at all...very personable....and slightly glib...but thats ok....And four hour games? I did not know that......
Yesssss!!! Stop the Lets! Been thinking this for ages and I am so glad that John thinks and said this as well.
I remember a news paper cartoon back when he was on the main tour. Two tennis players (obviously Mac and Borg) long hair and a Littleton’s man with big thick glasses saying “excuse me ladies can you point me to the linesman’s entrance”
Should read “little old man” not littletons
Roger Federer has just retired at the age of 41. Mac was approx 36 yrs old here... just shows how athletes have improved/evolved with modern science over a relatively short period. McEnroe retired from the professional circuit at approx 33.
I've heard that John hardly trained outside of practicing on the court. Today's players have a strength coach, a nutritionist, a sports psychologist, and a full-time coach.
John was lucky to be so naturally talented.