David Letterman Question

[Mac4life30]

Does David have some type of mild mental affliction? He always seems so uncomfortable and awkward during his show. Almost like he is afraid to connect on an emotional level or is socially awkward? If he does no big deal Kudos of him for all he has accomplished. I was just wondering because of the stories I hear and what I see during his shows.

 

[usd2bmd]

Not really sure if he does. I never thought he looked awkward or uncomfortable and considering how long he has been on late night television I would assume the networks don't think so either. What stories have you heard?

The only stories I remember hearing are the ones about his stalker.

 

[kimblebee]

I know what you mean. I've always thought he was super annoying and an awful host. He can't interview worth poop in my opinion. He's always making weird noises and he hardly knows what he's talking about. Half the time it seems like he doesn't even know who he's interviewing. At least, that's the way it was the last time I watched him..but it seems that way every time I see a clip of him. I for one won't be sad to see him go.

 

[Micca]

Letterman is...maybe was brilliant. He should probably have hung it up 5-10 years ago (or more.) I think he's been phoning it in for a long, long time.

 

[Mizzoufan]

I don't think he has an mental illness.

I think his sense of humor is really dry.

I do think he is the best talk show host EVER. No one will ever hold a candle to him

 

[powellrj]

I have watched him since he was doing local TV and he has always been a little odd. I agree he should have left a few years ago.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Mental affliction? no. Moral affliction, yep.

someone mentioned weird noises -- that describes Paul Schaeffer's gratuitous laugh to a T.

Johnny Carson was a much better host. He always made his guests feel comfortable.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Mental affliction? no. Moral affliction, yep.

someone mentioned weird noises -- that describes Paul Schaeffer's gratuitous laugh to a T.

Johnny Carson was a much better host. He always made his guests feel comfortable.

Has it been said somewhere the guest are uncomfortable?

 

[moon]

I think David is just brilliant, and the best interviewer on TV. Funny that those who judge him so harshly don't even watch him. He is great during campaign season, and I will never forget how his first live show after 9/11 lead the way for TV to go back to normalcy after the tragedy. That show alone made TV history.

But to each his own, I guess. Me? I will miss him terribly. His retiring is like the last nail in the coffin of my youth... (wow, that was awful and melodramatic, but hey, it's the way I feel.) Bye Dave...thanks for everything...it was a great ride...

ETA: I think the post 9/11 show, and the show where he presented the medical team after his life-saving surgery should answer any question about David being able to connect on an emotional level. The rest? it's done mostly for laughs. Some get it, some don't

 

[Planogirl]

I've always liked Dave even though I think that he's lost interest the last few years. It's time to go.

In my opinion most of the good late night hosts are moving on. I like Fallon OK but I miss Ferguson and his replacement doesn't do much for me. Carson was definitely greatness back in the day.

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

I find David Letterman so completely uninteresting and annoying. DH used to watch him so I watched involuntarily and I tried to like him, but he's just obnoxious and anything he did that actually was funny was repeated over and over and over again til I couldn't stand it anymore. Couple that with the intern scandal and I'll pass, thanks.

The only parts of his show that I liked were when he would do things outside the studio such as operating the fastfood drive thru or when Rupert went out and Dave fed him lines. Paul Shaffer is also beyond annoying. I won't miss either of them.

 

[asta]

I love David Letterman and will really miss his show. I think you have to be able to get his humor and I don't think anybody else even gets close. I also like his interview style. He approaches his guests as an equal instead of fawning all over them like Fallon and Leno. I can see how some people think that as disrespect but not me.

I enjoy the skits and games on Fallon so I will probably watch that but will always be sorry that I'm not watching Dave interviewing his guests.

 

[Squirlz]

That has always been his schtick. I'll miss him.

 

[EMom]

I think David is just brilliant, and the best interviewer on TV. Funny that those who judge him so harshly don't even watch him. He is great during campaign season, and I will never forget how his first live show after 9/11 lead the way for TV to go back to normalcy after the tragedy. That show alone made TV history.

But to each his own, I guess. Me? I will miss him terribly. His retiring is like the last nail in the coffin of my youth... (wow, that was awful and melodramatic, but hey, it's the way I feel.) Bye Dave...thanks for everything...it was a great ride...

ETA: I think the post 9/11 show, and the show where he presented the medical team after his life-saving surgery should answer any question about David being able to connect on an emotional level. The rest? it's done mostly for laughs. Some get it, some don't

Those two shows were genius.

 

[gwynne]

Those two shows were genius.

They certainly were! And maybe not in the same league, but I loved it when Dave had Jack Hanna as a guest. Those two together were hilarious!

 

[Kim&Chris]

I went to see his show in person, twice, about 20 years ago.

I think he WAS funny & brilliant back in the NBC days, but seemed to become bitter when he moved to CBS. Now he often seems annoyed at his guests, uninterested, or downright snide. I stopped watching a while ago.

I believe his retirement is long overdue, and I agree with a PP who believes he's been phoning it in for a long time.

 

[slo]

Dave has always been a little quirky, but it works.
I've always loved him, and I'm going to really miss him

 

[OhMari]

We went to his show last November. It was more about what he used to be, than what he is now. His warm up and talking to the audience before the show reminded us of the old Dave, we have no idea why it seemed like a switch was turned on and a person that hated his job took over.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Eh, I always felt like Dave was NYC. Certainly quirky and odd but that was his thing.

I do think things went downhill when Carson decided not to choose him as the successor to his show and instead put Leno in.

 

[asta]

Eh, I always felt like Dave was NYC. Certainly quirky and odd but that was his thing.

I do think things went downhill when Carson decided not to choose him as the successor to his show and instead put Leno in.

I may not remember this right but I don't think it was Carson's decision. In fact, I thought Carson wanted Dave and was not pleased with NBC giving the job to Leno. That was why he came back and guested on Dave's show but never with Leno.