i guess Dave had no patience for Bill's slow explanations and answers, cutting Bill off in mid response constantly, in an effort to move the interview along. Bill was hysterical in and out of character, but he did not speak rapidly. So, Dave rushing Bill from one question to another was a bit irritating to witness. I can only hope Bill wasn't as annoyed as I was and am.
I was hoping Dave would ask Bill Dana about his writing the All In The Family script with Sammy Davis Jr. Sadly, he got sqeezed in at the end of the show and Dave used him as filler.
Literally just watched the All in the Family episode with Sammy Davis Jr which I noticed in the credits was written by Bill Dana. I have watched a lot of television in my life (born 1959), but that is probably the best 30 minute comedy sitcom ever written. Absolute comedy berfection!
Dana seems like a very interesting person. I'll look for some deeper conversations with him. It looks like Dave likes him, but Dave's show isn't the place for it. Dana has more going on inside than "four minutes, and get out."
They didn’t. I have two sources for this show, my own and someone else’s (TT). I felt TT’s version was of better video quality, so I chose his over mine. Unfortunately, he cut off the applause and the following break, then resumed when Dave closed the show. What I should do is edit my fuller version to his, so that Bill’s appearance will be complete, with no cutoff.
Yes I remember bill when I was a kid watching him on many different shows including Ed Sullivan
"Twenty-five years ago! Can you imagine that?|"
This Late Night episode was broadcast THIRTY-five years ago.
R.I.P. Bill Dana
had his LP "Jose Jimeniz In Orbit" when I was a kid in the 1960's. Good stuff.
This guy was as sharp and quick-witted as anybody. Check out his appearance on The Dating Game on UA-cam.
Could've easily been a much bigger star.
Oh yes. Totally underestimated.
i guess Dave had no patience for Bill's slow explanations and answers, cutting Bill off in mid response constantly, in an effort to move the interview along. Bill was hysterical in and out of character, but he did not speak rapidly. So, Dave rushing Bill from one question to another was a bit irritating to witness. I can only hope Bill wasn't as annoyed as I was and am.
I was hoping Dave would ask Bill Dana about his writing the All In The Family script with Sammy Davis Jr.
Sadly, he got sqeezed in at the end of the show and Dave used him as filler.
Face the nation
I agree.
Letterman became known for doing that as the years rolled on.
He didn’t treat his guests like that the first few years of Late Night.
I don't think Letterman had any real idea of the stature of this great comic wit.
Literally just watched the All in the Family episode with Sammy Davis Jr which I noticed in the credits was written by Bill Dana. I have watched a lot of television in my life (born 1959), but that is probably the best 30 minute comedy sitcom ever written. Absolute comedy berfection!
“And the rest is jistory.”
No doubt Andy Kaufman may have been inspired by Bill Dana.
The audience just doesn't get it. 50s audiences HOWLED.
Because he's corny
50's audiences actually had a sense of humor.
Politics didn't matter.
Dana seems like a very interesting person. I'll look for some deeper conversations with him. It looks like Dave likes him, but Dave's show isn't the place for it. Dana has more going on inside than "four minutes, and get out."
Don, why did they cut off the audience laughing at Dana’s closing joke about saying confession?
I wanted to laugh along with them.
They didn’t. I have two sources for this show, my own and someone else’s (TT). I felt TT’s version was of better video quality, so I chose his over mine. Unfortunately, he cut off the applause and the following break, then resumed when Dave closed the show.
What I should do is edit my fuller version to his, so that Bill’s appearance will be complete, with no cutoff.
He had to stop doing this character in 1970 because of complaints from Latino groups
It was very funny and all done in good humor. He should have continued with his routine.