Late Show with David Letterman
Season 12
TV-PG
David Letterman's comedic talk-show after moving to a new television network. He retains largely the same format as the previous 'Late Night with David Letterman.'
Where to Watch Season 12
193 Episodes
- Jon Cryer, Chris Kentis, Renee OlsteadE1
Jon Cryer, Chris Kentis, Renee OlsteadDave points out that CBS is airng stock footage of a guy wresting an ostrich to compete with NBC's Olympic coverage; director Chris Kentis promotes Open Water; ""Still Standing"" star Renee Olstead performs a scorching rendition of ""Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby."" - Natalie Coughlin, Carla Gugino, Gavin DeGrawE4
Natalie Coughlin, Carla Gugino, Gavin DeGrawA former Manchurian hunting lodge nestled beside the Great Wall of China, The Red Capital Ranch is Beijing's first and only eco-tourism resort. Each of its 10 residences is a restored ancient Chinese villa. Meanwhile, the Red Capital Residence situated in the preserved heritage district of Dongsi takes a communist-themed interpretation to the traditional courtyard houses. - Carly Patterson, Jeff Foxworthy, LL Cool JE6
Carly Patterson, Jeff Foxworthy, LL Cool JOsama bin Laden announces that he wants to replace Craig Kilborn as host of the Late Late Show; Dave celebrates 11 years at CBS with a timeline; Biff reports from the Republican National Convention, with a goal to hug as many ""Republican Babes"" as possible. - National Hollerin' Champions, Neve Campbell, KeaneE11
National Hollerin' Champions, Neve Campbell, KeaneDave brags about working on Labor Day; like it does every year, a runaway taxi ruins the staff Labor Day barbecue (and runs over Alan); three National Hollerin' Champions do their thing; Neve Campbell; Keane performs ""Somewhere Only We Know."" - Ray Romano, Avril LavigneE14
Ray Romano, Avril LavigneBiff spends the day at New York-Presbyterian Hospital with Dr. Lou Arrone; an educational segment with Alan and an animated rodent goes awry; Ray Romano talks about the final season of ""Everybody Loves Raymond;"" Avril Lavigne performs ""My Happy Ending."" - Queen Latifah, Jack HannaE21
Queen Latifah, Jack HannaAs it does every season, Alan's hair changes colors; Dave comments on Conan O'Brien's promotion to hosting The Tonight Show in 2009, then openly asks if he can go back to NBC to host Late Night; a Kodomo Dragon (courtesy of Jack Hanna) startles Dave. - Joaquin Phoenix, Austin Stevens, SwitchfootE23
Joaquin Phoenix, Austin Stevens, SwitchfootLive via satellite, Rupert plays bingo; Dave shows a photo of Harry shaking hands with one of the Stangel brothers; Tony ruins the ending of another movie En Espanol, then goes off on one of his trademark rants. - Howard Dean, Franz FerdinandE26
Howard Dean, Franz FerdinandDave has another rant about Jay Leno's five-year notice to NBC; an autumn in New York quiz; a still graphic acknowledges the passing of staffer Dorothy Chambers; Howard Dean shills for John Kerry; George Clarke's ""It's A Fact;"" Franz Ferdinand performs ""Take Me Out."" - Brooke Shields, Barry SonnenfeldE30
Brooke Shields, Barry SonnenfeldDuring ""CBS Mailbag,"" Dave promotes the new Late Show newsletter, which includes an Alan Kalter centerfold; Brooke Shields visits; director-raconteur Barry Sonnenfeld returns to tell more amusing stories, and show samples of his martini art. - Laura Linney, Richard Lewis, The Wallflowers and Jordan ZevonE32
Laura Linney, Richard Lewis, The Wallflowers and Jordan ZevonLive via satellite, Martha Stewart gets caught in a prison catfight; an NYU student plays ""Guess the Bulge"" at Hello Deli; Jordan Zevon (son of Warren) and The Wallflowers perform ""Lawyers, Guns, and Money."" - Tony Danza, Emma Roberts, Brian ReganE35
Tony Danza, Emma Roberts, Brian Regan""CBS Mailbag"" with CBS holding auditions for Dave's replacement, George Clarke learning to play drums and Gerard Mulligan returning as ""George W. Bush;"" Tony Danza on his new talk show; Dave chats with Julia Roberts' niece Emma; Brian Regan does standup. - Amy Sedaris, Tommy LeeE40
Amy Sedaris, Tommy LeeDave's annual (and quite early) look at ""Halloween Costumes;"" George Clarke with a premature reminder about the end of Daylight Savings Time (Dave makes him down chocolate syrup); Amy Sedaris discusses her bunny and imaginary husband ""Ricky;"" Tommy Lee talks about his book, Tommy Land. - Johnny Damon, Anne Heche, The DonnasE41
Johnny Damon, Anne Heche, The DonnasDave plugs his and Paul's (bogus) ""Decision 2004 Election Showdown Countdown Vote 2004 Democracy Corner"" for tomorrow night's election coverage; Rupert reports from St. Louis and Game 4 of the World Series; Johnny Damon recalls Boston's come-from-behind triumph; Anne Heche talks about parenthood and Birth; The Donnas perform ""Fall Behind Me."" - Paul Reubens, Evangeline Lilly, Project BandaloopE49
Paul Reubens, Evangeline Lilly, Project BandaloopDuring Mailbag, Rupert admits to learning how flirt with women from Bill O'Reilly; Canadian-born TV actress Evangeline Lilly hugs Paul; after a one-week holdover, Project Bandaloop finally trapezes around the building. - Nicolas Cage, Jason Alexander, MorrisseyE51
Nicolas Cage, Jason Alexander, MorrisseyDave experiments with new camera angles by sitting on the edge of his desk; live in the green room, we meet a man who has collected pennies for over thirty years and amassed a fortune of roughly $28; Dave and Nicholas Cage talk about motorcycles. - Kevin Spacey, Ben Roethlisberger, StrebE56
Kevin Spacey, Ben Roethlisberger, StrebA telenovela catfight turns into a Pistons-Pacers basketball game; Rupert and a woman from Alabama drop fake turkeys off the top of the theater; Pittsburgh Steelers wonderkind Ben Roethlisberger participates in the latest Late Show QB Challenge. - Natalie Portman, John MayerE58
Natalie Portman, John MayerVia satellite from Indianapolis: The annual Thanksgiving pie-guess with Dave's mom (and dinner guest Marv Albert); Natalie Portman talks about an earlier Thanksgiving day LS appearance and plugs Closer; a Late Show Turkey Recall Announcement; John Mayer performs. - Barack Obama, Jessica BielE59
Barack Obama, Jessica BielDuring Mailbag, CBS suit Vinnie Favale announces a stricter policy on vulgarity on the network that may work to Dave's disadvantage; Senator-elect Barack Obama radiates charm and confidence while discussing politics; Dave and Jessica Biel swap stories about their dogs. - Kristin Johnson, Tom DreesenE72
Kristin Johnson, Tom DreesenDave's monologue is interupted by a surprise appearance from Billy Crystal (promoting the one-man Broadway show ""700 Sundays""); Dave introduces ""The Nog-Cam;"" 10 carolers present the Top Ten; Broadway star Kristen Johnston opens up to Dave about her recent mugging; Tom Dreesen tells another story about opening for Frank Sinatra. - Hilary Swank, Andy Dick, Green DayE74
Hilary Swank, Andy Dick, Green DayDave wishes everyone a happy new year, then accentuates his goals for 2005 (he plans to use the word ""snarky"" more often); ""Biff Henderson: Pollster"" roams the streets once more; Hilary Swank plugs Million Dollar Baby; Andy Dick talks about his crabs; Green Day performs ""Boulevard of Broken Dreams."" - Kevin Bacon, Caroline Rhea, WilcoE78
Kevin Bacon, Caroline Rhea, WilcoA shocking message from Dubya; Dave contines his use of all the following: carbs, steroids and the word ""snarky;"" ""Celebrity Resolutions"" goes straight into the dumper; Alan's new show, ""Desperate House Gal;"" Kevin Bacon; Caroline Rhea; Wilco performs ""Late Greats."" - Jack Hanna, Teri PoloE84
Jack Hanna, Teri PoloDave calls up Patriots fan -- and ""D Fence"" guy -- Gary Wren, who drops an ""F bomb;"" Rupert learns karate at Tiger Schulmann's; the always on edge Jack Hanna with animals; Alan admits to being jealous of Jack Hanna, then has another hissy fit (and drops an ""F bomb""); Teri Polo on her experiences making Meet The Fockers. - Peter Lassally, Doc SeverinsonE89
Peter Lassally, Doc SeverinsonDave's first new show following the death of Johnny Carson is an hour-long tribute, featuring clips of Johnny's appearances on both ""Late Show"" and ""Late Night,"" and the ""Tonight Show"" clip of Johnny stealing Dave's pickup truck; longtime ""Tonight"" producer Peter Lassally; former ""Tonight"" bandleader Doc Severinsen and former NBC Orchestra members Tommy Newsom and Ed Shaughnessy perform one of Johnny's favorite songs, ""Here's That Rainy Day."" - Stupid Pet Tricks, Bonnie HuntE104
Stupid Pet Tricks, Bonnie HuntCompetitive eater ""Crazy Legs"" Conti attempts to break the world's oyster-eating record in the lobby of The Ed; ""Stupid Pet Tricks"" features three dogs (none too crazy about the oysters); Bonnie Hunt remembers Johnny Carson (and tries an oyster). - Barbara Walters, Rachel Bilson, Kings of LeonE105
Barbara Walters, Rachel Bilson, Kings of LeonDave demands to be grilled on the annual Barbara Walters Oscar special, but only if he does the interview with Oprah by his side; ""Harold Larkin's Sidewalk Idol"" searches for the next great singing talent; Kings of Leon perform ""The Bucket."" - Amanda Peet, Dean KamazesE116
Amanda Peet, Dean KamazesDave is able to work the phrase ""needlessly circuitous"" into the interview with Amanda Peet, plus he admires her profile; Alan gives suggestive advice to Condoleeza Rice; Susan Hum refuses to give her picks for the Final Four tournament; marathon man Dean Karnazes discusses the joy of running. - Sandra Bullock, Gwen StefaniE117
Sandra Bullock, Gwen StefaniDave thanks the FBI and the Montana police for their efforts following a botched kidnapping involving his son last week; Pat Farmer celebrates ""March Madness"" by trying to duplicate his 90 foot drop shot into a goal on 53rd Street; Sandra Bullock doesn't talk about boyfriend Jesse James, but does plug Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous; ""Alan Kalter's Are You ****ing Kidding Me?"" takes a look at the Robert Blake verdict; Gwen Stefani discusses high school and performs ""Hollaback Girl"" with a drumline and sits down for a chat. - Lisa Marie Presley, Ahmed Ibrahim, Jake JohannsenE124
Lisa Marie Presley, Ahmed Ibrahim, Jake JohannsenRoof problems at the theater results in rainwater onstage; Dave worries over Dengue fever; ""Will It Float?"" hits a snag when a bucket of gumdrops topples over; matchmaking cabbie Ahmed Ibrahim brags about his abilities as an interceder. - Show #2345E126
Show #2345Dave explains how he cut his finger with a cheese grater, then confesses to having a great admiration for lesbians; in her first appearance on the show in 19 years, Jane Fonda discusses her marriage to Ted Turner and her infamous visit to Vietnam; Bloc Party performs ""Banquet."" - David Duchovny, Ray LamontagneE129
David Duchovny, Ray LamontagneOne day after his 58th birthday, waffles are hucked at the audience. Quote Dave: ""Why do I need joke writers when I have waffles?"" Also, the Late Show recreates testimony from the Michael Jackson trial in which the ""King of Pop"" (Gerard) makes an ass of himself; the new Miss USA Chelsea Cooley delivers the Top Ten; David Duchovny promotes House Of D.; Ray Lamontagne performs. - Kristin Chenowith, Johnny Lechner, LudacrisE131
Kristin Chenowith, Johnny Lechner, LudacrisA lucky motorist wins $100 worth of free gasoline, which is spent up in less than five seconds; Alan has another hissy fit, this time in a Michael Jackson costume; singer-actress Kristen Chenoweth discusses painkillers. - Hank Azaria, Jeff MacGregorE133
Hank Azaria, Jeff MacGregorTonight's clip from the NBC serial ""Passions"" features a monkey comforting a middle-aged woman; Dave meets the employees of Angelo's Pizza; Spamalot star Hank Azaria admits to Dave that he's a lousy dancer; author Jeff MacGregor discusses his year-long observational tour of the NASCAR circuit, and his subsequent book, Sunday Money. - Teri Hatcher, Harry HillE136
Teri Hatcher, Harry HillCold opening: Dave runs into a nude (yet blurred) Teri Hatcher who's locked out of her dressing room; ""Late Show Week In Review"" with Vinnie Favale as Elvis, a SWAT team kitty and Alan with a bevy of hookers; ""Will It Float?"" (a bag of fertilizer...no); Teri talks about swimming with a whale; Harry Hill performs standup. - Stupid Human Tricks, Christina Applegate, Brian ReganE141
Stupid Human Tricks, Christina Applegate, Brian ReganLike he does every Kentucky Derby weekend, Dave calls up Dave Johnson to hear him say ""...and down the stretch they come!""; Christina Applegate promotes the musical ""Sweet Charity"" and discusses a recent injury onstage; Brian Regan performs a stand-up routine about cholesterol and heartburn.
