Late Show with David Letterman

Dave asks Johnny for permission to use “Stump the Band.”

Late Night with Conan O’Brien

Norm Macdonald on wolverines and plastic dog toys.

Late Night with Conan O’Brien

Conan’s first Late Night

Guests >> John Goodman, Drew Barrymore, Tony Randall

Late Show with David Letterman

Dave’s first Late Show

Guests >> Bill Murray, Billy Joel

Late Night with David Letterman

Dave’s last Late Night

guests >> Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen

DAVE >> I began a relationship with NBC in the late 70s, in roughly 1978. I was a guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and it was, I think, the most exciting moment of my life in big-time television. I’ve had an association with NBC ever since. Through all of those years, I have never been anything but completely proud of my relationship with this network, and I hope in some small measure that they took some pride in our accomplishments. For me, it’s just been terrific. ...

The next time we see you folks, it will be Monday night, Aug. 30 at 11:30. Have a good night. Thank you.

Late Night with David Letterman

Garry Shandling on the penultimate Late Night.

Late Night with David Letterman

Dave welcomes his replacement at 12:30: Conan O’Brien

Late Night with Conan O’Brien (audition)

A minute from Conan’s Late Night audition.

Late Night >> Fred Willard collection

Fred Willard, 1982-2007

Late Night
1. February 23, 1982
2. March 30, 1983
3. May 7, 1985
4. May 21, 1986
5. September 24, 1986
6. November 6, 1986
7. February 9, 1987
8. May 14, 1987
9. July 24, 1987
10. October 8, 1987
11. February 19, 1988
12. June 13, 1989
13. December 11, 1990
14. April 8, 1993

Late Show
15. June 28, 2006
16. September 13, 2007

Late Night >> Bill Hicks collection

Bill Hicks, 1984-93

Late Night
1. December 5, 1984
2. August 22, 1985
3. February 13, 1986
4. September 12, 1989
5. December 26, 1989
6. June 12, 1990
7. October 3, 1990
8. September 4, 1991, CBS airs "Survival of the Funniest" on 48 Hours. Hicks is profiled in one segment as he prepares for his Late Night appearance on April 25, 1991.
9. April 25, 1991, two segments on Dave with the "48 hours" crew, then Bill Hicks' stand-up.
10. March 26, 1992
11. October 27, 1992
12. March 19, 1993

Late Show
13. October 1, 1993

Late Night >> Phil Hartman collection

Phil Hartman, 1989-96

Late Night
1. April 5, 1989
2. October 31, 1989
3. September 21, 1990
4. October 8, 1991
5. March 19, 1992
6. October 8, 1992
7. March 18, 1993

Late Show
8. November 9, 1993
9. February 17, 1994
10. January 4, 1995
11. October 3, 1995
12. March 26, 1996
13. November 21, 1996

Late Night with David Letterman

Guest >> Bill Murray

Late Night >> Siskel & Ebert collection, vol. 3

Siskel & Ebert, 1992-93

20. February 21, 1992
21. May 1, 1992
22. September 10, 1992
23. November 13, 1992
24. December 18, 1992
25. January 14, 1993
26. January 14, 1993, Siskel after Dave’s press conference

David Letterman / CBS press conference

Dave’s press conference announcing his move to CBS

Late Night >> Art Donovan collection

Art Donovan, 1983-93

1. February 1, 1983
3. August 30, 1983
4. August 28, 1984
5. January 16, 1986
6. September 8, 1986
7. September 24, 1987
8. January 14, 1988
9. December 22, 1988
10. October 4, 1989
11. October 23, 1990
12. January 16, 1991
13. September 5, 1991
14. September 8, 1992
15. January 5, 1993