David Letterman & Harvey Pekar invade Live at 5

[MetallicBill]

Doctor Ruth it looks like at the end there!

[greg5566]

It amazes me that people badmouth David Letterman. He is obviously one of the most innovative and creative people ever to be on television. He doesn't do much anymore, but so what. People still go to Paul McCartney concerts as well.

[msdemos]

You know why, "greg"?

Because they feel truly cheated by him.

In his early years, he was fearless, funny and smart...an awesome combination of talent that turned every one of his broadcasts into "anything can happen" night. It truly was an amazing (and funny) display to behold....Unfortunately, somewhere along the way (after losing out on "The Tonight Show" gig???), he stopped giving a crap, and because of it, his CBS show is now just a mere shadow of his old (NBC) show.

That's why.

[greg5566]

@msdemos Everything you say here is absolutely correct, but if that is it, then the badmouthing is completely misdirected. People should complain about what he did wrong, not what he did right.

[msdemos]

@greg5566

I completely agree, unfortunately, this is the kind of thing that passes for "intelligent" discourse, these days..........{sigh!}

[bwc3821]

@msdemos I think part of it is because there isn't much for him to compete with. Save the ratings, once Leno got the Tonight Show he gave up being funny, so I guess Lettermen felt like he didn't need to try anymore.

[msdemos]

@bwc3821

Probably, "bwc"..........it's just a shame to see how far his show has fallen, while memories of his 'glory days' (NBC show) still seem so fresh........ :(

[arodaman]

@msdemos The same thing happened to Conan O 'brien. Only he lost his way as soon as he was promised the Tonight Show in 2004, and it all went down hill from there. I thought he might regain his Conan mojo with the new TBS show, but sadly it's still the same old watered down crap.

[morethansalt]

Letterman was funny once, I forget.

[RealityDefenseLeague]

RIP Harvey, your story did inspire me..

[lionofthejungle]

"Why are you pushin' me? maaan!"

[rafaelsccp]

Harvey Pekar always like to bitchin against Letterman, like he was the source of all evil and Pekar the image of integrity. Bullshit. Dave never put a gun into Pekar's head, neither obligated him do participate on the Late Show's shananigans. Pekar use this do get some self-promotion, and benifited greatly.

[thatDonOguy]

Happy birthday, Harvey!

[EdGauthier1]

Ya, crazylogic called it - I was ALSO waiting to see what the notorious Sue "What the ef are u doing" Simmons was going to say.

I know she was sure as heck THINKING it !!!

[rog944]

"Quit pushing me! ...This is not wrestling!" lol! Classic!

[Scott4025]

1:00 - Havey to Roker - "So, uh, it looks like you gained a little weight."

[simonjeste]

@Scott4025 WOW - Roker AND Cafferty, before they went national ... kinda cool to see that too.

[crazylogic]

I'm waiting for Sue Simmons to say "what the f-ck are you doing?!"

[eighteam91]

Dave is still funny, he's just not as daring, irreverent, or as willing to do grunt work connecting with the average Joe. That is, besides being funny, what made him great. When Dave started doing a lame Johnny, Jay started doing a lame Dave. Get on the street Dave.

[TheSeanAlfe]

Dave's in his own theater now. CBS cleverly kept him away from their studios. He still does stuff on the street in front of his theater from time to time, but he can't very well go invade live broadcasts anymore.

[ace11rothstein]

Jack Cafferty went to CNN

Al Roker went to a Today show icon

Moral of the story: poor Sue Simmons.

[DeejayLarz2006]

what the fuck are you doing?!

[likes2havefun]

I thinks it's funny that Harvey is talking about Dick Goddard to Al Roker.

[ucfkid67]

Hilarious @ :49. Shut up man! and everyone is looking around like they lost something!

[ucfkid67]

Does dave ever stop talking?? geez...put a sock in it!

[ucfkid67]

Does dave ever stop talking?? geez...put a sock in it!

[exile103]

Letterman liked to take the air out of the uptight windbags that were and still are the general tv populace. He showed how it was alright to not be worried to death that you might lose your spot if you actually behaved outside of the very small box the execs try to keep everyone in. It says so much about the ultra-conservativism of the general public. That's the main reason so many people never got Dave, and why NBC went with Lameo to replace Carson.

[BradNMarty]

I believe this was an era when it was "chic" for Dave and crew to invade the Live at 5 newscasts across the hall (at WNBC TV 4) from the Late Night studio. On another occasion, Dave interrupted Al Roker's weathercast so HE could do the weather.

That lady at the end was Dr. Ruth Westheimer (Dr. Ruth). Noted sex expert. She was famous in the 1980's for frank, open discussion on the air about all facets of sex.

[hunyghan]

Two questions. 1-What was the point in their visit? And 2-Who was that woman at the end?

[discomatador]

I think that was Dr Ruth (Westiemer), the sex education lady. The point of the visit was pointlessness, promoting show thru stunts really