The Letterman Remote to G.E. Headquarters Collection, 1985-93
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- Опубліковано 2 бер 2020
- With Jack Welch's passing, it seemed timely to post this. Some history:
On March 19, 1985, Capital Cities made a surprise announcement that it was purchasing ABC for $3.5 billion. Ted Turner then attempted but failed to buy CBS.
RCA, which owned NBC, saw its stock rise due to both renewed interest in takeovers as established by Capital Cities and attempted by Ted Turner as well as NBC's prime-time lineup, in particular the ratings successes of "Hill Street Blues" and "The Cosby Show." It had been in merger discussions with MCA this same year, but nothing came of it.
All of which led General Electric to begin meeting with RCA in early November 1985 to discuss acquiring the electronics giant. After "intense talks" that lasted for ten days, G.E. announced on December 11, 1985, that it had bought RCA for $6.28 billion, reportedly in cash. The deal had to first get approval from RCA's stockholders, then a number of regulatory agencies, including the FCC, all of which would take months before the takeover was complete.
Dave made note of the merger news the following night. He was not pleased.
1. December 12, 1985. Dave's first reaction to G.E.'s takeover of RCA isn't a positive one. Then Viewer Mail with more references to G.E.'s greatest invention, the push button. Later in the show, a message about the deal from NBC's President and CEO "Grant Tinker," portrayed as always by NBC's production manager Elmer Gorry.
2. December 16, 1985. After an aborted Opening Remarks and a visit to the Green Room, Dave displays a gift from G.E. Later, an installment of Peace Through Dramatization Players, entitled "No Time for Love," which features brand-new G.E. home appliances and entertainment.
3. March 25, 1986. Dave briefly discusses G.E.'s timetable for taking over NBC.
4. April 8, 1986. The first broadcast of the remote.
On Friday, April 4, Dave, head writer Steve O'Donnell, director Hal Gurnee, and various video and camera crew members embarked on a day of shooting remotes showcasing their new bosses at General Electric. They first visited G.E.'s headquarters in midtown Manhattan, then later inside two G.E. dealerships further south. For the latter, they came up empty, but for the former, they struck gold.
5. April 18, 1986. Dave guests on The Tonight Show and highlights his visit to G.E.'s headquarters. (Immediately afterwards, not included here, Johnny discusses stealing Dave's truck.)
6. April 30, 1986. The official video logo of the G.E. handshake airs during Late Night's close from late April through most of May.
7. June 25, 1993. Dave offers his perspective seven years later as he airs the remote one last time on Late Night's final show.
I have a theory: One of the reasons Letterman didn't get the tonight show was because of his hatred of the GE takeover of NBC.
If a company took over a network today no late night host would have the balls to do what Dave did. Jimmy Fallon would be gushing over the company saying how great they are.
After decades in Corp. America, I can honestly say that no 10 seconds ever more clearly and perfectly reflected the groupthink, ice in the veins, CYA, humorless mindset of large corps better than the "GE Handshake"...for my money, the single best Late Night moment...ever.
Today Jack Welch is rotting with maggots refusing to eat him, GE is in gutter. Dave light shines and will shine long after.
Thanks for posting this Don. This compilation is representative of Dave's subversive attitude toward authority and ownership during his NBC run. Executives at the peacock network would use these clips and others as ammunition in the battle over which proven commodity would replace Carson. Leno may have poked fun and jabbed GE and NBC during his guest hosting duties in Burbank but Letterman would authentically ridicule them with invective.
I remember the show where Dave says "Oh, look, Paul, they're changing the sign on the RCA building" Then a photo of the top of the building is shown with the lighting of the "GE" logo....followed by a lit "Sucks", next to it. Because GE laid off so many NBC employees, their initials were known to mean "Goodbye, Everybody"
I was hoping to see the big musical tribute to GE done around this time. The singers and dancers take the stage; the music plays a couple of bars - and the stage goes dark. Dave says, "Hey, what happened!?" Biff answers, "I'm sorry, Dave. The thing is, these GE bulbs really suck."
Thumbs down came from evil GE security guy
So, so good. The handshake. OMG. And the disclaimers he was clearly forced to read. So much goodness.
Letterman was the son of an Indianapolis florist. The fruit basket was a natural and sincere midwestern choice as an offering of friendship.
This is so awesome! In the late 90s, I worked for a company that was "acquired" by GE.. it was an awesome company that GE just slaughtered after the take over. A bunch of turds. I am glad the mighty has fallen. Thanks Don for another great upload!
Dude this was amazing!!! Paul's Cher impression! I think about that once a week and I hadn't seen it in 30 years. Thank you so much!
OMG. That remote segment was pure classic. I wish I was old enough (at the time) to have watched this when it first aired
24:45
That’s absolutely hilarious stuff. So fearless.
I see Dave, I see GE. I clicked before even reading the title.
Thank you for all the work you put into these!
Thank You So Much for posting this! This was a Jack Welch aquisition and was so fun to watch. Not like Immelt..He was the true Nuetron Jack...So..so..close to Bank--rumpting the co.
30:36
I forgot it was RCA ... love this old school stuff