Part 4: The Show Begins

The band started to play the Late Show theme song and Brill signaled to us to begin clapping feverishly.  Watching the monitors above our heads, we saw the Late Show graphics come up as Alan Kalter started his shpiel:  "From New York, the greatest city in the world...it's the Late Show with Dave Letterman!"  And of course we cheered loudly then and after he annouced Jodie Foster and Jack Hanna and the band.  Lastly, it was time to introduce Dave:  "And now, reptilian Hamptons playboy...Daaaaaaaaavid Letterman!!!"  We all started cheering heartily, but Dave did not appear onstage as the band continued to play...and play...and play.  After about a minute, it became clear Dave wasn't coming out, so the band quit and a lot of the stage personnel started conversing, trying to figure out what was going on.  Corky, the stage manager (sadly, Biff was not there that night) came out and talked to Brill, who informed us that Dave was having some mic trouble. 

So, after a short wait, the band started up again, the graphics came up on the monitors, and Alan began his deal.  When he got to Dave's introduction:  "And now, reptilian Hamptons errrrrr...let's do that again."  That's right, Kalter screwed it up.  Everyone onstage seemed to get a laugh out of it.  I thought it was hilarious! hahahah

Anyway, third time's the charm, right?  It was, Alan finally got it right and Dave came out to a loud ovation from the audience, smiling with the usual mannerisms.  After the band quit and the audience finally stopped clapping, Dave says "You folks been waiting long?"  This got a big reaction from the crowd, laughing along with Dave.  This was kinda neat, b/c it appeared on the show that night--sort of an inside joke, eh?

Dave did his monologue, did the obligatory Catholic priest joke and a few others, but I was disappointed there was no "squirrel sunning his nuts" joke, alas, maybe next time.  The monologue was pretty good, and then Dave announced that he would be going into the audience to play "America's fastest-growing quiz sensation, Know Your Current Events."  The band played the KYCE theme and Dave did his thing, asking three audience members questions regarding "Know Your Countries Ending in -Stan;" "Know Your Items From the Sharper Image Catalog;" and Dave was so struck with the third contestant that he gave her the prizes right away (dinner certificates and Late Show CD), and then took the prizes from the other contestants as well!  I never saw them get their prizes back, so I'm assuming that greedy wench walked away with all of 'em!

During the first commercial break, clips from the Late Show years past played on the monitors, sans sound. Pretty funny stuff, but I was watching the band and Dave's desk during the break.  He is surrounded by his producers, stage managers, and assistants during all of the commercial breaks, all undoubtedly briefing him on what's next, what's been changed, etc., etc.  Coming back from the break, Dave did the Top Ten with the help of the Army's Old Guard, and then talked a bit with Paul about Jack Hanna.  Dave had concluded that there were two kinds of animals, all related to either dogs or cats--and also birds.  Paul wisely asked "But what about monkeys?"

Dave got a kick out of that, as did Ross and I--who were about the only ones who laughed at that--listen for it if you watch the show.  Dave said he'd be sure to ask him when he came out and then introduced Jodie Foster, a first time guest on the show.

She did pretty well; her "mauled by a lion" story going over very well with Dave and the audience.  I had heard that Dave doesn't talk to the guests at all during commercial breaks, so I kept a close eye during the next break.  The desk is once again surrounded, with the addition of Foster's assistant and the Late Show booking agent (I think).  He did actually chat with her for most of the time, when the booking guy from the show or the producer or her assistant wasn't talking with her. 

Paul daydreaming

Jodie Foster