I probably should have done this yesterday, as last night was Dave’s last show, but prompted by same, I was reminded of the time I went to see him.
In January of 1988, I was junior in college, and my high school pal Rob secured us tix to go see “Late Night with David Letterman.” As such, we dutifully showed up 30 Rockefeller Plaza (he was still with NBC at the time … I place I would later work….for a while) on the 13th of the month (I suppose I was still on Christmas break? That seems unlikely, but — in any case — there I was).
Honestly, I don’t remember that much about it. I do remember it being damn chilly in the studio. The guests that night turned out to be Brother Theodore (who we loved — and later went to see at that tiny repertory theatre on East 13th between Fifth and Sixth Avenues), the guy who played Mad Headroom (Matt Frewer) and a woman who cut paper with her fingers, if memory serves.
I do recall being struck by how Dave would just *stop talking* to his guests the second the camera went off. I suppose he wanted to go over things in his head and save the exchange for the show, but it seemed really weird and rude at the time.
All told, not a remarkable show, but we enjoyed it. The next night, of course, Robin Williams and Mick Jagger were on (or someone of that caliber). Just our luck.
In any case, in remembering same, I managed to dial up the episode in question on YouTube. I love this old intro where the camera zooms through the Old Town Bar & Grill. And much like my fleeing cameo in Killing Joke’s live DVD, I make a blink-&-you’ll-miss me appearance in the audience, starting at exactly 09:00 minutes in.
In case you missed it, here I am….top row in the back, all the way to the right. I’m seated just next to the standing page, wearing a black shirt (naturally).
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