Uncategorized

Before he was famous: David Letterman’s early TV interview (and stand-up footage)

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:

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

View all posts by Sean L. McCarthy →

3 thoughts on “Before he was famous: David Letterman’s early TV interview (and stand-up footage)

Comments are closed.