The Letterman Podcast

By Mike ChisholmTV & Film

The Letterman Podcast episodes

November 08, 2024 151 Friends Of The Show Volume I Part I
Today’s episode kicks off a new series we’re calling Friends of the Show. In this premiere, Mike is joined by a stellar panel for an epic roundtable discussion that became so lively it had to be split into two episodes!
Joining Mike are Letterman legend and prolific comedy writer Steve Young, original Late Night with David Letterman writer Steve Winer, Warren Zevon historian Adam Unger, TV historian Allison Lips, and Darin Cox, host of the Irritable Dad Syndrome podcast and producer at Antenna TV.
This group covers Letterman’s Late Night and Late Show years and beyond, sharing stories, insights, and plenty of laughs. And for the first time in over a decade, Steve Young graces us with a brand new Kyron quiz to wrap up Part 1!
Our ongoing sponsor, Hello-Deli.com—run by the one and only Rupert Jee—is the ultimate source for official Late Show merchandise. If you’re a fan, get your gear before it’s gone!
If you enjoy these conversations, show us some love! Like, share, subscribe, and leave a review. (Come on, help Mike reach his lifelong dream of being the world’s most niche podcast celebrity.)
1 hr 35 min
November 01, 2024 150 Alex Hazard says Jerry Springer was a bit of a letdown compared to working for Letterman
Episode 150 of The Letterman Podcast celebrates a special guest and a pivotal moment in late-night history with Alex Hazard. Alex started as an intern during the final chapter of Late Show with David Letterman, a role that ultimately led to a full-time position in the audience coordination department. For Alex, his time at the Ed Sullivan Theater was pure magic.
In this episode, Alex shares his journey, from how he first landed the internship to the thrill of being brought back full-time. He and Mike dig into memories from dozens of tapings, unforgettable behind-the-scenes moments, and even the Live on Letterman Concert Series. While Alex went on to work on shows like Jerry Springer, nothing compared to the time he spent at Late Show—an era that left an indelible mark on him and continues to be one of the most memorable times of his life.
And now, a note from our cherished sponsor: If you’ve been waiting all your life to own some authentic Late Show swag, wait no longer! Visit hello-deli.com, run by the one and only Rupert Jee, and turn those dreams into merch reality.
Finally, a humble (and only slightly desperate) request from us: please like, share, subscribe, and maybe even leave a nice comment. Or don’t. But if you do, we might just love you forever.
1 hr 5 min
October 25, 2024 149 Chris DeLuca Worked For The Best Conan, Craig and Craig of Late Night
This episode of The Letterman Podcast features Chris DeLuca, the mastermind behind the brilliant Talking Trump: The American Emperor Aftershow podcast. Chris shares his wealth of late-night experience, having worked on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, where he even escorted David Letterman back to the late-night studio for his first appearance after moving to CBS.
Chris also wrote for The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn and Craig Ferguson. In this episode, he and Mike dive into a fantastic conversation about the state of comedy, his history in late night, his new podcast, and much more.
And, of course, don’t forget to visit hello-deli.com for all your officially licensed Letterman merchandise. It’s the only place to get the good stuff, run by the legendary Rupert Jee!
Now, be a good friend and subscribe, share, and spread the word about the show. You’ll be helping us out, and really, who doesn’t want to be a hero today?
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2 hr 9 min
October 18, 2024 148 Steve Young Is... The Daykeeper
This episode marks the return of one of the most prolific Letterman writers of all time, Steve Young! Mike and Steve catch up to chat about Steve’s latest musical project, Broken Heart Insurance, a hilarious and clever EP available across all streaming services and YouTube.
Beyond that, they dive into a nearly existential conversation about the state of television, entertainment, and what it really takes for creatives to make their mark in today’s world.
With plenty of laughs—thanks entirely to Steve Young, and absolutely not Mike—this episode of The Letterman Podcast is sure to entertain.
And now a quick shoutout to our sponsor, hello-deli.com—because where else could you possibly buy licensed Late Show with David Letterman merch? Maybe somewhere on the internet, but why risk it when you can get the real deal from Rupert Jee? Exactly.
By the way, if you’re enjoying the show (or even if you’re not, but still need something to hate-listen to), make sure to like, share, subscribe, and leave a comment. It’s the least you can do for the free entertainment, right?
#SteveYoung #LettermanWriters #BrokenHeartInsurance #DavidLetterman #LateShow #ComedyWriting #HelloDeli #RupertJee #MyNextGuest #LikeShareSubscribe #LettermanPodcast
1 hr 30 min
October 11, 2024 147 John Moran Handed David Letterman The Microphone Hundreds Of Times
This week’s guest is John Moran, a broadcasting veteran with over four decades of experience at the highest level.
For Late Show with David Letterman, John was the guy who handed Dave the microphone during the preshow Q&A, but that’s just one small part of his fascinating career. Mike and John dive into an amazing conversation that covers John’s journey from delivering TV Guides as a boy, to becoming an NBC page during some of the most exciting years at 30 Rock. John’s love for broadcasting pushed him to pursue his dream, eventually joining the Late Show team when they moved to CBS.
In his first appearance on the podcast, John shares some behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive photos from his years at the show—stories you won’t want to miss!
Of course, we can’t forget a shout-out to our legendary sponsor, Rupert Jee, and Hello-Deli.com, the only place to get licensed Late Show with David Letterman merchandise. Trust us, if you’re a fan, this is your spot.
And finally, we’d love it if you like, share, subscribe, and leave positive comments for the show. If you don’t… well, that’s fine too, but we’ll assume you have terrible taste in podcasts. No pressure.
1 hr 54 min
October 04, 2024 Episode 146: Stupid Pet Tricks with Ben Zelevansky
Today’s episode highlights a beloved segment of the Letterman mythos we’ve been wanting to explore for quite some time… Stupid Pet Tricks!
Our guest is none other than Ben Zelevansky, who coordinated this legendary segment for Late Show with David Letterman. An actor, writer, and more, Ben’s career in show business kicked off during his formative years working for Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Saturday Night Live, and of course, Late Show with David Letterman.
Ben started as an intern at Late Show and was hired full-time, helping to produce the iconic Stupid Pet Tricks segment. He and Mike have a fantastic conversation, where Mike digs deep into how the process worked back then—finding, vetting, and putting together this unforgettable, unique part of the show.
Ben shares tons of behind-the-scenes stories about taking on the role, the adventures he embarked on during this incredible time in his life, and even the story of how he met his wife while working on the show!
For licensed Late Show with David Letterman merchandise, check out Hello-Deli.com—where else can you find a Rupert Jee mug to sip from while you watch your favorite episodes?
And hey, if you’ve got a minute, we’d love for you to like, share, subscribe, and leave us some glowing feedback (our egos need it).
#StupidPetTricks #BenZelevansky #DavidLetterman #LateShow #ComedyLegends #LateNightTV #LettermanPodcast #HelloDeli #BehindTheScenes #TVHistory
1 hr 48 min
September 27, 2024 145 George Rothweiler Filmed dozens of Superbowls and exponentially more Late Shows and has the stories to prove it!
Episode 145: George Rothweiler
This week’s guest is George Rothweiler, an Emmy-winning camera operator who worked for CBS for over 40 years, including the entire 22-year run of Late Show with David Letterman.
George and Mike have an expansive conversation about his journey into the world of television, how he climbed the ranks to cover high-profile sporting events like Super Bowl XII, and his transition to become a handheld camera operator for Late Show.
They delve into the people who shaped his career, with George giving special recognition to veteran leaders such as Jerry Foley and Dave Dorsett. Naturally, they also reflect on George’s favorite moments working alongside David Letterman and the incredible team at Late Show.
And now, for our wonderful sponsor: the one and only Hello-Deli.com—the exclusive place to get Late Show with David Letterman merchandise, run by the legendary Rupert Jee himself! Seriously, where else can you support a sandwich shop with cult status and snag some official Late Show swag?
Lastly, if you enjoyed the episode, be sure to do your part! Like, share, subscribe, and leave us glowing reviews—or at least mildly positive ones. It keeps us going, and hey, it’s cheaper than therapy!
#LateShow #DavidLetterman #GeorgeRothweiler #CBS #CameraOperator #SuperBowlXII #JerryFoley #DaveDorsett #TelevisionHistory #BehindTheScenes #RupertJee #HelloDeli #Broadcasting #EmmyWinner #LettermanFans #ComedyLegend #TalkShow #LikeShareSubscribe #Television
1 hr 19 min
September 20, 2024 144 TV Historian Allison Lips Returns to Talk My Next Guest With David Letterman, Cancel Culture, and Justin Bieber's Underpants
This episode features the return of television historian and friend of the show, Allison Lips.
Mike and Allison, who often have long, in-depth conversations outside of the podcast, bring that dynamic to this episode. The original idea was to focus on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, and while they definitely dive into that, their journey through the material takes some unexpected detours.
For example, neither could quite nail down when exactly Tina Fey’s episode aired (spoiler: it was the second-to-last episode of the first season). But the conversation doesn’t stop there. It evolves into a deep dive into their favorite episodes, the effects of cancel culture, and even a discussion about a sitcom involving Nazis.
For all your official Late Show with David Letterman merchandise, head to Hello-Deli.com, the only place in the known universe where Rupert Jee himself makes sure you’re covered in Letterman swag!
And of course, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. You won’t win any prizes, but you’ll definitely feel good knowing you did something right today.
2 hr 4 min
September 13, 2024 1436 Francesca Rollins Got To Use 30 Rock As Her College Playground
This episode features Francesca Rollins, the youngest daughter of legendary showbiz manager Jack Rollins.
Mike and Francesca have a fantastic conversation about how 30 Rockefeller Center, home to Saturday Night Live and Late Night with David Letterman, served as the backdrop for her high school and college years.
They delve into stories of staffers she interacted with, cherished memories from being at the show, and, of course, her relationship with her father, Jack Rollins.
Francesca shares her unique perspective on her father’s career and what it felt like as he transitioned into his later years, including parting ways with many longtime clients, such as David Letterman himself.
For all your Late Show with David Letterman merchandise, visit the iconic Rupert Jee’s Hello-Deli.com! It’s the only place in the world to get your hands on authentic Late Show swag!
And before you go, hit that like button, share the episode with your friends, and smash that subscribe button like you’re trying to out-pun Rupert Jee himself. Don’t forget to leave a comment, but only if it’s flattering—we accept nothing less!
1 hr 31 min
September 06, 2024 142 A Tribute To One Of Our Own. J Ryan Talks About Losing Nicole
Episode 142 of The Letterman Podcast
This episode takes a different tone as we memorialize Nicole Ryan, a cherished friend and an integral part of The Letterman Podcast community from the very beginning, who recently passed away after a courageous battle with MS.
In this deeply personal conversation, Nicole’s husband and frequent guest on our show, J Ryan, joins Mike exactly one month after Nicole’s passing. Together, they share some of the events and details of Nicole’s final days and give an honest update on how J is navigating through this incredibly painful time.
Though somber and, at times, raw, J and Mike have a frank and vulnerable discussion about life, love, loss, and the lessons we learn along the way.
There’s also some Letterman talk, including J’s heartfelt gratitude to Worldwide Pants and other figures who have extended their condolences.
Nicole’s radiant smile, infectious laugh, and her immense showbiz expertise and advice will never be forgotten. She will forever remain a beloved member of The Letterman Podcast family.
This episode drops on what may be the most difficult birthday J has faced in recent memory. From all of us in The Letterman Podcast community, we send J our deepest empathy, sympathy, support, and, most of all, love.
1 hr 52 min

About The Letterman Podcast

From the publisher's feed

This podcast celebrates the incredible body of work done by broadcast legend David Letterman and Company. On the show we highlight folks who worked for Dave or were a part of any of his shows…