David Letterman uses mature humor to appeal to his audience in this weeknight series, which gets its music from a house band led by Paul Shaffer. Among the show's most-famous segments are the Top Ten List and Stupid Pet Tricks, the latter of which subsequently led to an additional recurring segment called Stupid Human Tricks.
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Air Date: 1993-08-30
Tom Brokaw shows up to take back some NBC ""intellectual property;"" Dave shows off the renovated Ed Sullivan Theater...
Air Date: 1993-08-31
Dave's worst moment on last night's debut: his fake tooth fell out (the video is repeated several times in slow motio...
Air Date: 1993-09-01
A very pregnant Demi Moore is given the honor of throwing the first pencil through the backdrop windows of the Late S...
Air Date: 1993-09-02
The ghost of Ed Sullivan (who haunts Dave throughout the first week) introduces a plate spinner; Andy Dick makes his ...
Air Date: 1993-09-03
Dave has fun with a car phone, calling in bogus traffic reports to 1010 WINS radio; Casey Kasem presents ""Top Ten Fa...
Air Date: 1993-09-06
Dave continues pestering locals with the new hands-free car phone: WINS radio, a car wash, Dial-a-Mattress and Jackso...
Air Date: 1993-09-07
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1993-09-08
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Air Date: 1993-09-09
Dave takes a cab to help out at Yankee Stadium and later makes fun of Tony Randall; Lenny Kravitz performs ""Are You ...
Air Date: 1993-09-10
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Air Date: 1993-09-13
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Air Date: 1993-09-14
The Mars Observer crashes into the studio; Mike Ditka promotes ""NFL on NBC;"" John Hiatt performs ""Perfectly Good G...
Air Date: 1993-09-15
Jerry Garcia sits in with the band; Dave makes several jokes at the expense of Yassir Arafat.
Air Date: 1993-09-16
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Air Date: 1993-09-17
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Air Date: 1993-09-20
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Air Date: 1993-09-21
David Sanborn sits in with the band; Dave does part of the show from his ""house"" in Connecticut.
Air Date: 1993-09-22
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Air Date: 1993-09-23
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Air Date: 1993-09-24
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Air Date: 1993-09-27
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Air Date: 1993-09-28
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Air Date: 1993-09-29
Ed Sullivan's ghost introduces juggler ""Andy Head;"" Paul & the CBSO play Jerry Lewis out with the coda from Count B...
Air Date: 1993-09-30
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Air Date: 1993-10-01
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Air Date: 1993-10-04
Dave's high-rise buddy Meg Parsont (at a different building) makes her first and only appearance on CBS -- giving a d...
Air Date: 1993-10-05
Johnny Cash sings ""Don't Take Your Guns to Town.""
Air Date: 1993-10-06
Dave looks at new books for fall; Andy Dick returns as ""Donnie ... the CBS Page Who Likes to Suck Up.""
Air Date: 1993-10-07
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1993-10-08
""Celebrities in the Audience"" makes its first appearance on the new show, as guests from previous shows are introdu...
Air Date: 1993-10-11
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Air Date: 1993-10-12
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Air Date: 1993-10-13
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Air Date: 1993-10-14
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Air Date: 1993-10-15
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Air Date: 1993-10-18
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Air Date: 1993-10-19
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Air Date: 1993-10-20
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Air Date: 1993-10-21
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Air Date: 1993-10-22
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Air Date: 1993-10-25
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Air Date: 1993-10-26
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Air Date: 1993-10-27
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Air Date: 1993-10-28
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Air Date: 1993-10-29
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Air Date: 1993-11-01
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Air Date: 1993-11-02
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Air Date: 1993-11-03
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Air Date: 1993-11-04
Natalie Merchant - ""Because the Night""
Air Date: 1993-11-05
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Air Date: 1993-11-08
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Air Date: 1993-11-09
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Air Date: 1993-11-10
Mary Tyler Moore treats Late Show viewers to a video clip of Dave from her 1978 variety show, ""Mary,"" in which she ...
Air Date: 1993-11-11
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Air Date: 1993-11-12
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Air Date: 1993-11-15
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Air Date: 1993-11-16
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Air Date: 1993-11-17
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Air Date: 1993-11-18
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Air Date: 1993-11-19
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Air Date: 1993-11-22
""Meet the Neighbors,"" conclusion: The outside cam goes to K & L's Rock America to see Mujibur Rahman and Sirajul Is...
Air Date: 1993-11-23
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Air Date: 1993-11-24
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Air Date: 1993-11-25
Throughout the night, Calvert reports from the parade; as he does every year, Dave guesses what pies his mother made ...
Air Date: 1993-11-26
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Air Date: 1993-11-29
In ""Bad Phone Call,"" Dave calls the father of Michelle Polikas to tell him she's living with Bob Howard. Also, Dav...
Air Date: 1993-11-30
Mandy Patinkin drops by (along with Tony Randall), and asks for rehearsal time. Before Dave gets a chance to say no, ...
Air Date: 1993-12-01
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1993-12-02
Dave buys Paul a fake Rolex off the street; Chris Elliott is on hand for the world premiere of his surrealist art fil...
Air Date: 1993-12-03
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Air Date: 1993-12-13
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Air Date: 1993-12-14
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Air Date: 1993-12-15
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Air Date: 1993-12-16
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Air Date: 1993-12-17
Dave visits some handwriting analysts; Rush Limbaugh promotes his new book.
Air Date: 1993-12-20
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Air Date: 1993-12-21
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Air Date: 1993-12-22
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Air Date: 1993-12-23
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Air Date: 1993-12-27
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Air Date: 1993-12-28
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Air Date: 1993-12-29
Dave comments on FOX taking away CBS' NFL coverage; strongman Dennis ""Mighty Mite"" Rogers lifts weights.
Air Date: 1993-12-30
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Air Date: 1993-12-31
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Air Date: 1994-01-03
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Air Date: 1994-01-04
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Air Date: 1994-01-05
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Air Date: 1994-01-06
Chris Elliott performs the title song from ""Cabaret;"" legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman follows with a rendition o...
Air Date: 1994-01-07
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Air Date: 1994-01-10
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Air Date: 1994-01-11
The ghost of Ed Sullivan introduces trampoline star Tom Boleen; Troy Aikman throws footballs into cabs on Broadway, a...
Air Date: 1994-01-12
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-01-13
George Carlin promotes his new sitcom; Calvert drops by as ""The Guy Who Thinks Dave's Name is Randy.""
Air Date: 1994-01-14
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Air Date: 1994-01-17
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Air Date: 1994-01-18
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Air Date: 1994-01-19
Dave gets dragged by a cab; the cast of ""Cats"" runs into the Ed Sullivan Theater to take a bow.
Air Date: 1994-01-20
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Air Date: 1994-01-21
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Air Date: 1994-01-31
Concrete Blonde – ""Mexican Moon""
Air Date: 1994-02-01
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Air Date: 1994-02-02
Dave comments on the upcoming Winter Olympics in Norway; staff members Debbie Drimmer, Rick Scheckman and John Becker...
Air Date: 1994-02-03
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Air Date: 1994-02-04
Peter Frampton sits in; Dave discusses Clinton's health care plan with a group of cab drivers; seven-year-old sheep h...
Air Date: 1994-02-07
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Air Date: 1994-02-08
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Air Date: 1994-02-09
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Air Date: 1994-02-10
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Air Date: 1994-02-11
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Air Date: 1994-02-14
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Air Date: 1994-02-15
James - ""Laid""
Air Date: 1994-02-16
Throughout the night, champion canines from the Westminster Dog Show walk across the stage; Dorothy does a little sho...
Air Date: 1994-02-17
Dorothy interviews Tommy Moe; Phil Hartman promotes Greedy.
Air Date: 1994-02-18
David Sanborn sits in with the band; Dave surveys residents of Scotch Plains, NJ about the Olympics; Bebe Neuwirth pr...
Air Date: 1994-02-21
Dave proposes marriage on behalf of an audience member; UB40 performs ""Higher Ground.""
Air Date: 1994-02-22
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-02-23
Two guys pretending to be Dave and Paul ice skate; Laurence Fishburne promotes Searching for Bobby Fischer.
Air Date: 1994-02-24
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Air Date: 1994-02-25
Dorothy recaps her two weeks in Lillehammer; Michael J. Fox promotes Greedy.
Air Date: 1994-02-28
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Air Date: 1994-03-01
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Air Date: 1994-03-02
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Air Date: 1994-03-03
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Air Date: 1994-03-04
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-03-14
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-03-15
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Air Date: 1994-03-16
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-03-21
Dave shows an anonymous gift (Jonathan Estrada, maybe?) of a block of cheese shaped like Oklahoma. Also, up-and-comi...
Air Date: 1994-03-22
Ten cabbies present the Top Ten; Diane Sawyer sneaks in footage of Dave from his weatherman days; Chris Elliott shows...
Air Date: 1994-03-23
""New Pharmaceuticals"" include ""Hot 'n' Spicy Tylenol,"" ""L'eggs Metal Pipe Resistant Pantyhose,"" and ""Nipsey's ...
Air Date: 1994-03-28
New York native Gurnek Basanti drives his cab into the theater; Dave devours an entire tub of I Can't Believe It's No...
Air Date: 1994-03-29
Dave brags about the birth of his nephew; Buck Henry promotes his new book.
Air Date: 1994-03-30
""Can a Guy in a Bear Suit Get into the Hard Rock Cafe?"" Apparently, he can do it with ease, but ""Can a Guy in a B...
Air Date: 1994-03-31
Dave watches a live feed of himself watching the show at home while he's taping the show in the theater. Shots includ...
Air Date: 1994-04-01
A day after Madonna arouses/grosses out the American viewing public by, among other things, offering Dave her underwe...
Air Date: 1994-04-04
Dave can't seem to remove his shoe, and with no shoehorn available, he runs outside and asks a cab driver to run over...
Air Date: 1994-04-05
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-04-06
Paul Newman jumps out of the audience, claiming to take a powder when he learns that Madonna won't be on. Instead, h...
Air Date: 1994-04-07
Shortly after a baseball-themed Top Ten, Dave goes on a brief rant about how overpaid the players are.
Air Date: 1994-04-08
Tonight marks the Late Show debut of ""The Strong Guy, the Fat Guy, the Genius,"" which pits three men of said traits...
Air Date: 1994-04-18
Mujibur and Sirajul make a visit to Mickey the barber, and they promptly receive free haircuts. Soon afterwards, Don...
Air Date: 1994-04-19
""Rejected FDA Items"" include Medicated Pringles, Tic-Tacs with Real Ticks and Tacks, Deodorant with Raisins, Milk w...
Air Date: 1994-04-20
During Mailbag, Dave discusses a certain much-publicized divorce with ""Roseanne Arnold"" (Gerard). Later, he chats ...
Air Date: 1994-04-21
Dave names Jimmy Johnson as the new head coach of the show; Ellen DeGeneres promotes ""These Friends of Mine.""
Air Date: 1994-04-22
Future Dave lead-in Tom Snyder promotes his new (and ultimately doomed) Larry King-style cable talk show.
Air Date: 1994-04-25
Dave notices an empty seat in the third row, so he brings in a guy from outside to fill it.
Air Date: 1994-04-26
Dave finds a stray blue card on his desk and returns it to Regis and Kathie Lee. Also, Gin Blossoms perform ""Hey Je...
Air Date: 1994-04-27
Donny Osmond and Calvert star in the Late Show's version of the Menendez Brothers' life story.
Air Date: 1994-04-28
Dave tries to wake up and gets soaked with Gatorade; Tony Randall helps Mandy Patinkin practice a musical number; Dav...
Air Date: 1994-04-29
Dave harasses hotel doormen, and later he chats with NFL draft pick Dan Wilkinson.
Air Date: 1994-05-02
The outside cam heads to Times Square, during which Dave invites passerby Amy Butler in to co-host. Later in the sho...
Air Date: 1994-05-03
Dave gets a parking ticket; Robin Williams promotes ""Comic Relief VI.""
Air Date: 1994-05-04
Throughout the night, we have an assortment of ""Happy Endings,"" providing a satisfying coda to unusual situations. ...
Air Date: 1994-05-05
Dave brings out 70 cases of Gatorade that were received after the stunt in Show #149. Later, he goes up to his offic...
Air Date: 1994-05-06
Dave discusses politics with a bunch of cabbies; Chris Farley demonstrates his physically demanding comedy routine; S...
Air Date: 1994-05-09
Dave takes his show to LA for the first time since 1985. Dave throws a pencil into a wading pool that's behind his de...
Air Date: 1994-05-10
L.A., Day 2: Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda is seen gulping down Slim-Fast; Dodgers pitchers Orel Hershiser, Roger McD...
Air Date: 1994-05-11
LA, Day 3: Dave ends the show early, and then flies back to New York. Paul finds him working the cashier at K&L Rock...
Air Date: 1994-05-12
L.A., Day 4: It's time for ""Los Angeles Souvenirs,"" including a Fabio Lawn Gnome, Record Industry Weasel Magazine, ...
Air Date: 1994-05-13
A very special guest presents the Top Ten (see recap); Bette Midler performs ""Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.""
Air Date: 1994-05-16
Travis Tritt performs ""Foolish Pride,"" while Harvey Pekar actually censors himself, much to Dave's chagrin.
Air Date: 1994-05-17
Dave finally has his photos from LA developed, and an audience guys helps him display the photos on the Times Square ...
Air Date: 1994-05-18
It's time for more celebrities in the audience, including Michael J. Fox, Jerry Seinfeld, Paul Shaffer, Kathie Lee Gi...
Air Date: 1994-05-19
Dave quizzes the audience on last week's trip to LA.
Air Date: 1994-05-20
Dave freshens up by walking outside the theater, towards a hot dog vendor, and washing his face in the dirty hot dog ...
Air Date: 1994-05-23
Dave makes another bad phone call for an audience member; Rick Moranis promotes The Flintstones, and his interview is...
Air Date: 1994-05-24
Dave is missing his opening ""billboard"" card with tonight's guests listed on them, so he leaves the theater, goes t...
Air Date: 1994-05-25
Dave finds a sports reporter from Indianapolis outside and invites him in; Dave launches ""Top Ten Plus,"" the quicke...
Air Date: 1994-05-26
Jets take off at JFK Airport; Rosie O'Donnell promotes The Flintstones.
Air Date: 1994-05-27
Dave helps Nancy Agostini find an apartment in the city; The Pretenders perform ""Night in My Veins.""
Air Date: 1994-06-06
Dave escorts the Stand-by Audience (all 40 of 'em) to a restaurant a few blocks away from the Ed Sullivan Theater. He...
Air Date: 1994-06-07
Dave hands out ""Warning Label"" props to the audience; another ""CBS Special Report"" finds Alan Richardson reportin...
Air Date: 1994-06-08
Dave's coffee is cold, so he goes out and warms it himself with a taxi battery; George Miller comments on today's sol...
Air Date: 1994-06-09
An audience member plays a staged version of ""The Price is Right,"" and wins a can of flour. Also, Michael Buffer f...
Air Date: 1994-06-10
Mujibur and Sirajul begin their Coast-to-Coast Tour, leaving NYC on a private jet; Keanu Reeves promotes Speed; Dave ...
Air Date: 1994-06-13
On their first leg of the Coast-to-Coast Tour, Mujibur and Sirajul report from Niagra Falls, saluting the US flag. Pa...
Air Date: 1994-06-14
Dave selects two audience members to receive tickets to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Marv Albert hands out the ...
Air Date: 1994-06-15
Three members of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers drop by, and later they let Morty take a picture of t...
Air Date: 1994-06-16
Jon Lovitz laments the demise of ""The Critic;"" Sandra Bullock promotes Speed.
Air Date: 1994-06-23
Stone Temple Pilots – ""Vasoline""
Air Date: 1994-06-20
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-06-21
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-06-22
After a technical error prevents it from being performed the previous night, Dave presents the rest of the ""NBA Fina...
Air Date: 1994-06-24
John Mellencamp – ""Wild Night""
Air Date: 1994-06-27
On their latest stop, Mujibur and Sirajul get serenaded by Tom Jones in Las Vegas. Wondering who's been operating K&...
Air Date: 1994-06-28
Barbra Streisand walks on the set and gives Dave two tickets to her show at Radio City Music Hall. Dave gives them a...
Air Date: 1994-06-29
""Coast to Coast with Mujibur and Sirajul"" -- tonight, they're fly-fishing in Madison Valley, Montana, with their te...
Air Date: 1994-06-30
In a spoof of Home Shopping Network, Dave sells ""Dave and Paul Collection Plates,"" giving out the phone number of h...
Air Date: 1994-07-01
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-07-04
Dave takes a cue card from Tony Mendez, re-reads a joke and then has the cue card passed around the audience. Later,...
Air Date: 1994-07-05
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-07-06
Dave leaves the show after the monologue and heads upstairs to read Wresting Magazine with his face in a mud mask, an...
Air Date: 1994-07-07
The Runaway Camera is roaming the streets of New York City, getting squeegied, hit by a bike, down a manhole, running...
Air Date: 1994-07-08
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-07-18
Dave returns to outside the Today Show set and displays his sign: ""Happy 100th Birthday, Willard""; in honor of the ...
Air Date: 1994-07-19
Ricki Lake promotes her supporting role in the upcoming Cabin Boy; Gary Sinise plugs Forrest Gump.
Air Date: 1994-07-20
""Can a Guy in a Bear Suit Say Hello on a N. Y. C. Pay Phone?"" The answer? Mais oui! Also, one of the all-time gre...
Air Date: 1994-07-21
Cold opening: Kenny Rogers tells Dave when to hold ‘um and when to fold ‘um. Dave also stops the show midway thr...
Air Date: 1994-07-22
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-07-25
Dave fills up a pothole outside the studio with joke cards; Jim Carrey's limo is towed away.
Air Date: 1994-07-26
The pothole Dave filled up with blue joke cards the previous night is sealed by none other then Mayor Guiliani; the p...
Air Date: 1994-07-27
A severed head perks out of the pothole; a doctor stands in the backdrop in case Dave suddenly becomes sick during th...
Air Date: 1994-07-28
Dave comments on Tony's cue card work, then makes a bad phone call for an audience member with mother issues.
Air Date: 1994-07-29
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-08-01
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-08-02
Dave attends the Whitewater Hearings; up-and-coming starlet Cameron Diaz promotes ""The Mask""; Dave finally chats wi...
Air Date: 1994-08-03
The show is interrupted all night long by (bogus) CBS News special reports by anchor Alan Richardson, who sings, is b...
Air Date: 1994-08-04
After Dave sings a horrible rendition of ""Oklahoma,"" Paul demands to hear a better version. Soon after, John and B...
Air Date: 1994-08-05
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-08-08
Dave and model Inna Mirovich toss back some vodka. Later, Howard Stern admits that he had to drop out of the New Yor...
Air Date: 1994-08-09
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-08-10
Dave looks at ""What's On Other Channels;"" the Smothers Brothers perform.
Air Date: 1994-08-11
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-08-12
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-08-15
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-08-16
Rupert brings soup to tonight's guests; Dave reflects on the Michael Jackson-Lisa Marie Presley wedding.
Air Date: 1994-08-17
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-08-18
No episode overview available.
Air Date: 1994-08-19
No episode overview available.