Small Town News on Letterman, December 22, 1986

By request. Taped December 3. A segment when time slowed down.

[@simonbyrd6518]

David Letterman in prison: "How we doing on time?"

[@mackdaddyg321]

Don, the themed collections you curate are always amazing, but random bits like this are always welcomed by me. Thanks as always.

[@dongiller]

Thanks!

[@philswaim392]

I miss the letterman who really didnt give a toss about the showbusiness of his show.

[@sirjiggywitit7541]

I used to watch letterman when he used to come on after... Johnny Carson....he was funnier before he got noticed by main stream...🐈

[@arnoldlee2148]

I watched him in 81 - 82 in the morning time slot .

[@dongiller]

Morning show was 1980 only, June to October.

[@osa3742]

Thanks, Don!

[@Tmanaz480]

R.I.P. Mark Jerstad 1942 - 1997

[@riverraisin1]

I'm guessing they made a frantic call to Molly Maids during commercial break. 😄

[@v8vrooooom]

Wow, drowsy audience that night

[@jackobora3193]

They couldn't even tell how annoyed Dave was getting.

[@hobbygamer6220]

Paul is funny ! why do ppl have to be like that ??

[@nedwart]

Great stuff as always Don! I have a strange video request, if you'll humor me; how about a compilation of fill-in/guest announcers?

[@dongiller]

Not sure how vital that’d be.

[@andyrose5616]

I don't know that a video would be necessary, but I would be curious if you just had a list. I didn't even realize Wendell had ever been away until you posted that video with Linda Lopez filling in a while back.

[@dongiller]

There were 42 Late Nights when someone else subbed for BIll's show intros. Among the subs were Paul, Dave, James Brown, Bailey Stortz, Michael di Cesare, Barbara Gaines, Carl Henry III, a group of interns, Biff Henderson, Brent Musburger, Les Marshak, Jim Fagan, Fred Facey, and Linda Lopez.

[@andyrose5616]

Thanks!

[@captainscentsible1811]

Has don ever said what brand vcr he used.cuz mine always had the tracking lines at the top or bottom. )

[@dongiller]

Whatever was available at the time - it was usually TDK, Scotch, or Maxell.

[@exiles_dot_tv]

Did they really have that much time to kill or was it a mistake that this ran so long?

[@davebonnar1199]

hi could you post the segment those Funny Funny Maplethorpe Photos , think there were 4-5 segments Id appreciate it

[@dongiller]

Doable. In time.

[@djphillyb]

Funny Stuff!

[@spuzzlightyeartoo]

OK, how about this reply (lol)...
Aside from weekly comedy bits (aka Viewer Mail), what was the comedy bit that Dave did most on the old show? I'm guessing stupid pet tricks, followed by small town news?

[@dongiller]

Viewer Mail - 476
Stupid Pet Tricks - 102
Brush With… - 90
Small Town News - 70
New Gift Items - 62
Dumb Ads - 56
Ask Mr. Melman - 47
Dial-It-Services - 44
Stupid Human Tricks - 41
Bad Phone Call - 35
Who Asked for It - 28
Supermarket Finds - 27

[@Fnortner01]

Is there a "perspectives on the news" collection Don?

[@dongiller]

Not yet.

[@chasbodaniels1744]

This recurring segment would be *impossible* now since most American newspapers have closed down. Big box stores and then Amazon drove out the local businesses whose advertising supported local papers. Folks became too busy, too cheap and too dumbed-down to bother with subscriptions to their local or regional publications. We have an anti-intellectual “President” who despises newspapers because they’re reality based. Good thing Dave is enjoying his retirement!

[@runnininthe80s84]

I don’t know why but I was never a Letterman person. Looking back I wish I had watched it, it looks entertaining. I always watched Leno.

[@dongiller]

Welcome to the light. :)

[@cameronvieira6648]

So did Leno just steal headlines from Dave?

[@dongiller]

Not really; Leno’s bit originally came from Columbia University’s School of Journalism periodical.

[@nbprotocol5406]

sometimes paul is funnier than dave is

[@GR_BackingTracks]

Paul was on the first SNL...