by Before David Letterman got his own late-night talk show on network TV, he was, like many of you, I suppose, a hungry young stand-up comedian and writer. Here is some footage of Letterman from back then, talking about the influence of Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor on his generation of young comedians, struggling to find success, and having to work for free. Also includes footage of Letterman doing stand-up at The Comedy Store. The date is unspecified, but considering the interviewers bring up the lack of paid gigs, you'd have to think this is around the time the comics in Los Angeles began demanding better pay, right? If anyone knows the date, please holler.
In the meantime, enjoy:
The strike was March of 1979. By then Letterman was already guest hosting the Tonight Show…must be earlier than that.
1976 I’d say
middle 1976 lady says dave has been in scal for 1 1/2 years