Late Show with David Letterman
Season 3
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 3
210 Episodes
- Show #0443E4
Show #0443Amongst the ""Items Included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame:"" Stuff found in ZZ Top's beards, a guitar made of David Crosby's old liver, and Marv Albert's Rock & Roll Bloopers, with Hootie (as in Hootie and the Blowfish) getting hit on the head by a basketball. Meanwhile, in order to prepare for an Olympic diver that will be appearing later, Dave recruits Alan and an audience member to get in a tank. - Show #0486E47
Show #0486Dave uses the speaker phone to get someone to bring him pizza. Later, thirty folks show up with boxes, and slices are handed out to the audience. Also, the United States is in the middle of a government shutdown, so Dave calls the Pentagon, misdials, finally gets an answering machine, and hangs up. A stagehand gives him an ax, cuts the phone cord, and hands the phone to an audience member. - Show #0495E56
Show #0495In a sign of future legal trouble, Microsoft owner and multibillionaire Bill Gates tries to fix the Late Show Quiz Machine after it gets stuck displaying the answer ""Windows '95"" in all three boxes. Also, Bob Borden tries with little success to deliver a turkey to President Clinton. - Martin Short, Bev Tanner, The Dave Matthews BandE63
Martin Short, Bev Tanner, The Dave Matthews BandAs a tribute to such beloved recurring segments such as ""The Man Under the Seats"" and ""The Fugitive Guy,"" Chris Elliott stars in a short-lived skit ""Cable Pulling Guy;"" Martin Short helps ""baking madwoman"" Bev Tanner make a cake. - Don Rickles, Mary Stuart Masterson, Joe Ely & Todd SniderE86
Don Rickles, Mary Stuart Masterson, Joe Ely & Todd SniderCBS President Les Moonves (bogus) takes a moment to comment on Clinton's State of the Union address by singing ""Holding Out for a Hero."" Also, pre-teen sports reporter Sparky Mortimer returns to the show and is given a new assignment- to cover Super Bowl XXX. - Ricki Lake, William Shatner, Ray RomanoE119
Ricki Lake, William Shatner, Ray RomanoDave mentions that in between show tapings, an audience guy named Anthony sang ""My Way"" from the balcony. During the taping of this episode, however, Dave invites him to sing it onstage. Also, Dave goes over to Black Rock Bar & Grill to swipe a beverage from Dan Rather. - Mandy Patinkin, Tea Leoni, Collective SoulE120
Mandy Patinkin, Tea Leoni, Collective SoulDave stoically mentions that this will be the last night for the current set, and that it will be remodeled during the NCAA Tournament coverage. To commemorate this, at the end of the show, a couple dozen audience members file by the desk to touch Dave. - Barbara Walters, Halle Berry, Ray CharlesE121
Barbara Walters, Halle Berry, Ray CharlesAs the Ed Sullivan Theater is being renovated, Dave hosts his show from the lobby with only 60 folding chairs set up for the audience. Fire Commissioner Howard Safir oversees the proceedings, while guests Barbara Walters and Halle Berry make their entrances through the theater debris. Dave tells Ray Charles, ""I don't know how to break it to you, but you're in the lobby."" Also, a man-on-the-street segment finds that most New Yorkers are apathetic towards the new set. - Phil Hartman, Rose Hamburger, The BandE122
Phil Hartman, Rose Hamburger, The BandAfter a week of construction, the show's new ""Bridge"" set is unveiled. Dave quickly mentions that he ordered it from a catalog. Martha Stewart honors the occasion by hammering in the last nail. Later, she's seen sanding backstage and, still later, operating a blowtorch. - Nick Turturro, Jenny McCarthy, Stone Temple PilotsE125
Nick Turturro, Jenny McCarthy, Stone Temple PilotsDana Carvey drops by and receives a piece of the set; The Usual Suspects star Kevin Spacey presents the Top Ten live via satellite; Alan Kalter stars in the new midseason replacement sitcom ""Weird Guy in an Elevator."" - Mary Tyler Moore, Anna Paquin, Mark KnopflerE126
Mary Tyler Moore, Anna Paquin, Mark KnopflerDave tricks young Oscar® winner Anna Paquin into getting in a magician's box, claiming he was going to show her a trick. Once he had her locked in, he took off her shoes and tickled her feet!Also, Dave challenges Millionaire Basketball Winner Tom Gates: if he makes his shot onstage, Dave will give him $10,000; if he doesn't, he has to host the show. He misses. So does a very un-athletic Mary Tyler Moore. But Paquin hits, and Dave gives her the $10,000 cash. - Elle MacPherson, Hank Azaria, Cassandra WilsonE128
Elle MacPherson, Hank Azaria, Cassandra WilsonAnna Paquin returns to the show two days after the basketball challenge and donates her cash prize to charity. Also, Dave temporarily moves his show to public access, and Laurie Diamond persuades him to return to CBS. - David Hyde Pierce, Scott Thompson, PulpE130
David Hyde Pierce, Scott Thompson, PulpDave shows a clip of Marshall Sylver's infomercial, and throughout the night Dave attempts to hypnotize members of the staff. After Dave accidentally puts Biff in a daze, he calls up Sylver to figure out what to do with his entranced stage manager. - Tony Danza, Lucy Lawless, R. KellyE132
Tony Danza, Lucy Lawless, R. KellyDave begins a new contest: The town that sends the most valuable gifts will be the new Top Ten Home Office. Two huge glass tanks are displayed onstage, each for the two towns in competition. Tonight, Wahoo, Nebraska (the challenger) sends enchiladas, while Grand Rapids (the incumbent) sends a fax from the Governor of Michigan. Not a good start for Grand Rapids. Also, the outside cam visits Sullivan's Bar & Grill next door, and their bartender comes in the theater to pose for a Polaroid picture. - Luciano Pavarotti & Michael Bolton, David Schwimmer, Cynthia RowleyE134
Luciano Pavarotti & Michael Bolton, David Schwimmer, Cynthia RowleyThe Home Office Competition continues: Added to Wahoo's tank is a pizza, a T-shirt, and a birdhouse, while Grand Rapids adds a garment bag; Dave shows another episode of Alan Kalter's mini-sitcom ""Weird Guy in an Elevator""; Luciano Pavarotti and Michael Bolton sing ""Nessun Dorma."" - Tom Brokaw, Blue, Rosanne CashE135
Tom Brokaw, Blue, Rosanne CashDave appears on the Times Square Jumbotron demanding presents; Dave and Fred Nigro go to Jersey to help with taxes, during which Dave recruits a citizen to stand in for him during an audit; Dave plugs his mother's recently-published cookbook. - Kids Telling Jokes, Chazz Palminteri, Celine DionE139
Kids Telling Jokes, Chazz Palminteri, Celine DionWahoo vs. Grand Rapids, Day 9: Wahoo sends two kids, Jeff and Josh Price, to sit in their glass tank. Grand Rapids loses further ground by sending several non-living items. Also, Alan does various random things throughout the night, including reading his turkey pot pie recipe, speaking in a bad French accent, ripping his shirt open, and holding his breath through a commercial break. - Dana Carvey, Robin Quivers, Afghan WigsE140
Dana Carvey, Robin Quivers, Afghan WigsIn honor of the recent Sotheby's Auction that featured items once owned by John F. Kennedy, Biff comes stage on Jackie O's (alleged) riding lawnmower; in a pre-taped segment, Dave interviews CBS job applicants, during which he pressures college sophomore Todd Stevens to sing; Nathan Lane appears to show Todd how it's done; Dave leaves the show to have some coffee with a guy named Kenny. - Tom Hanks, Steve YoungE146
Tom Hanks, Steve YoungThe Late Show begins a week in San Francisco as Mayor Willie Brown interrupts the show throughout the hour by offering Dave the key to the city, a loaf of sourdough bread, and a stick he found in his yard. Also, Paul composes a music video for cable car operator Luis ""Guido"" Montano, with cameos by Los Lobos, Carly Simon, Hootie & the Blowfish and Celine Dion. - Paul Reiser, Jane Seymour, Keanu Reeves & DogstarE147
Paul Reiser, Jane Seymour, Keanu Reeves & DogstarFrisco, Day 2: Dave gives a bouquet to a 95-year-old lady in the audience; Dave and football great Joe Montana tour the city, where they end up getting ""friendly"" in Alcatraz; Dave checks on the theater in NYC, and finds Clint Eastwood imitating Dave at his desk. - Stupid Pet Tricks, Dean Cain, Elvis CostelloE148
Stupid Pet Tricks, Dean Cain, Elvis CostelloFrisco, Day 3: Sheila E. and Pete Escovido sit in; Dave shows off the 49ers shower curtain he has in the dressing room; Dave orders Rupert to harass people on the street; Dave invites a shaggy-looking guy in the audience (a professor at Stanford, no less) to take a shower during the show. - Eddie Murphy, Paul Doherty, Green DayE149
Eddie Murphy, Paul Doherty, Green DayFrom San Francisco: Three audience members receive free hams and souvenir cue cards; Joe Satriani sits in; Dave tells the seals at Fisherman's Wharf to shut up; the San Francisco Giants present the Top Ten; basketballs and melons are rolled down Fillburn Street, the steepest in the city. - Don Johnson, Jeremiah Tower, Alice in ChainsE150
Don Johnson, Jeremiah Tower, Alice in ChainsFrisco, Day 5: The Alcatraz mock-up in the backdrop is subject to a jailbreak; Dave hangs out with a local hippie, thus introducing the world (not to mention fleeting fame) to one Manny Papp; Dave loses a blue card, and then finds it inside a crab at Fisherman's Wharf; Manny meets his hero, John Popper of Blues Traveler. - Anjelica Huston, Paul Hogan, Natalie MerchantE151
Anjelica Huston, Paul Hogan, Natalie MerchantDave quizzes the audience on his week in San Francisco, during which Gene Siskel runs onstage looking for Roger Ebert. Later in the show, he gives up on his search, then relaunches his film review program as ""Siskel and DeForest."" Also, Natalie Merchant sings ""Jealousy."" - Walter Cronkite, Harry Hill, Spin DoctorsE154
Walter Cronkite, Harry Hill, Spin DoctorsDuring Mailbag, Tony sits in for Dave while Dave sits in for Alan saying ""letter number two,"" which leads into a question about lawn care; comedian Harry Hill tells jokes about Cher, The A-Team, and his grandmother's funeral; Spin Doctors perform ""She Used to Be Mine."" - John Goodman, Norm MacDonald, Patty LovelessE157
John Goodman, Norm MacDonald, Patty LovelessIt's time for a new game called ""May We Turn Your Pants into Shorts?"" Dave is the first to mutilate his slacks, and is followed by Paul, Biff, John Goodman, and Norm MacDonald, who was already wearing shorts. - Stupid Human Tricks, Brett Butler, Al GreenE158
Stupid Human Tricks, Brett Butler, Al GreenDave shows a clip of his favorite moment from last night's show: Biff doing a quadruple take upon seeing Dave's slacks getting cut at the knee; Dave's contact lens fall out, so he wears his glasses for half the show; Brett Butler performs a Stupid Human Trick. - Kid Inventors, Dennis Quaid, Seven Mary ThreeE160
Kid Inventors, Dennis Quaid, Seven Mary ThreeDave and Conan O'Brien get ""Bob Dole Is Old"" jokes from the joke storeroom in the basement of the Ed Sullivan Theater. Also, Dave invites several staffers (including then-intern Stephanie Birkett) to discuss their dreams at a local steakhouse. - Martin Short, Jimmy Vassar, Bryan AdamsE161
Martin Short, Jimmy Vassar, Bryan AdamsLive via satellite in San Francisco, Manny the Hippie reviews the film ""Spy Hard"": ""It's schwiggity schwag!"" Also, ""She Loves Me"" week begins with Martin Short, who performs this song, hanging on to the last note while leaving the theater, grabbing a soda at the Hello Deli, getting a massage, and returning to the theater wearing a terrycloth robe. - Nathan Lane, Daisy Fuentes, Mitch FantelE162
Nathan Lane, Daisy Fuentes, Mitch FantelDave invites customers from the Roy Rogers restaurant across the street into the theater to be checked for ticks; Dr. Sam Merrick declares them tick-free. Also, Day 2 of ""She Loves Me,"" tonight performed by Nathan Lane. Like Martin Short the previous night, Nate holds the last note, goes out to Hello Deli for a soda, then to a massage, and back inside the theater with a robe. - Matthew Broderick, Kim Delaney, RentE164
Matthew Broderick, Kim Delaney, RentDave tells a mean fat joke about Roger Ebert, and shortly afterwards the film critic calls Dave a bastard; four singers present the First Annual Late Show Salute to the Word ""Ass""; on Day 4 of ""She Loves Me"" week, Matthew Broderick performs a certain 1950's pop standard, holds the last note, runs through the theater, grabs a soda at the Hello Deli, gets a handbill for a free massage, receives the massage, and returns to the theater wearing a robe, still holding the note. - Rosie O'Donnell, Heather Matarazzo, CrackerE165
Rosie O'Donnell, Heather Matarazzo, CrackerThe final day of celebrity ""She Loves Me"" performances takes place when Rosie O'Donnell sings, holds the last note, runs through the theater, grabs a soda at Hello Deli, gets a handbill for a free massage, receives the massage, and returns to the theater wearing a robe, still holding the same note. Dave follows this flawless presentation with a week-long retrospective. - Sarah Jessica Parker, Marv Albert, Lyle LovettE172
Sarah Jessica Parker, Marv Albert, Lyle LovettSome guy carrying the Olympic torch comes through to interrupt the monologue. Also, Dave recalls a fake Father's Day memory when his son ""Jimmy"" gave him an ashtray. Paul doubts the story, forcing Dave to recall his ""real"" video memory: ""Jimmy"" arriving with pizza. (correct synopsis) - Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Katz, George Clinton & the P-Funk All-StarsE183
Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Katz, George Clinton & the P-Funk All-StarsDave airs his first new July 3rd show since his morning show in 1980. During the ""Rejected FDA Products"" segment, Dave introduces ""Sherwin-Williams Fettucine in Paint."" Later, Jeff Goldblum promotes ""Independence Day"" as Rupert searches the sky for UFOs. - Kids Tell Jokes, Dan O'Brian, Brian Setzer OrchestraE184
Kids Tell Jokes, Dan O'Brian, Brian Setzer OrchestraMujibur and Sirajul stand on the roof, waiting for the fireworks in broad daylight; during Mailbag, ""Neil Diamond"" (Calvert) rouses the crowd with a smokin' rendition of ""America;"" two audience members take an American flag to the Empire State Building; The Brian Setzer Orchestra performs ""Town Without Pity."" - Andie MacDowell, Bob Woodward, Paul WesterbergE194
Andie MacDowell, Bob Woodward, Paul WesterbergDave discusses in length the show's embarrassment of Emmy riches this year (four nominations); the ""CBS Mailbag"" presents Dave's 10,000th ""Bob Dole is old"" joke; Dave receives another discouraging visit from Fan Club president ""Cliff Sussman"" (Jay Johnson). - David Duchovny, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, SpongeE195
David Duchovny, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, SpongeLeonard ""The Ronald McDonald Guy"" Tepper joins Rupert for another one of his hidden-mike remotes with Dave. Later, Jackie Joyner-Kersee promotes her new fitness book and upcoming appearance at the Atlanta Games.
