Menu
Download the app

SBJ subscribers – Enhance your experience with the revamped iOS app

People and Pop Culture

As Letterman Signs Off, THE DAILY Looks Back At Some "Late Show" Sports Moments

Tonight marks the end of an era in late-night, as “Late Show” host DAVID LETTERMAN gets his final laughs -- and maybe a few tears -- in the iconic Ed Sullivan Theater after 22 years with CBS. Dave has been doing his unique, biting brand of comedy on late-night television for over 30 years, passing his idol JOHNNY CARSON for longest running late-night talk show host in ’13. To honor the occasion, THE DAILY takes a look at some of Letterman's noteworthy forays into the sports world with the “Top Ten Best Sports Personality Appearances” (not in any order) over his 22 years at CBS. One note -- we're not forgetting the early years at NBC, but his CBS run ties closer to THE DAILY, which launched in '94.

10) There were numerous sports personalities who made frequent guest appearances, but no one matched MARV ALBERT for number of visits to the Ed Sullivan Theater. Albert once asked Dave about appearing so many times on the broadcast, saying, “I think I'm trailing REGIS, is that correct? JACK HANNAH?” Letterman said to Albert, “Bring an animal out next time.” Letterman made sure to tell Albert that of “all-time you’re my favorite.” Of course, it was not always a laugh-a-minute, like when Albert appeared during his media blitz to rehabilitate his image after his infamous '97 arrest for allegedly biting his longtime partner in a hotel room in a rather seedy affair. The exchange between the two is awkward, but Letterman does not let him off the hook, telling Albert, “The only thing I have ever bitten during sex is my lower lip.”  

9) One memorable moment that ranked high on the “uncomfortable meter” is when longtime Stage Manager BIFF HENDERSON was sent to cover the Yankees' Spring Training and he told Letterman, “I asked ALEX RODRIGUEZ to teach me how to become a baseball player. He had me stretching, hitting and fielding. I have no idea why he had me do this.” At that point, the broadcast aired a troubling video of a shirtless Henderson rubbing suntan oil on shirtless A-Rod.

8) The reports from Letterman's mom, DOROTHY, at the '94 Lillehammer Games were always very funny, as her “fish out of water” reports from locales far from her Indiana home gave viewers many laughs. When asked how it was going, she said, “Still cold.” It seemed Dave enjoyed a little too much placing his mom in uncomfortable situations, but for the audience it was a humorous slant on learning about a foreign culture.

7) Former Cardinals slugger MARK MCGWIRE appeared on the broadcast in ’98, the season he and the Cubs' SAMMY SOSA dueled for the home run crown, and featured Letterman pitching batting practice to him outside of the Ed Sullivan Theater. Dave actually got a swing and miss on one pitch before McGwire sent a rocket down the street. No word on whether the broadcast drug-tested prior to the segment. 
 

6) The appearance by the “Fierce Five” U.S. gymnastics team following their Gold Medal-winning performance at the '12 London Games was another in a long line of memorable Olympic athlete moments, with the girls appearing polished and often trading barbs with Letterman like pros. They seemed to have the marketing savvy of a grizzled vet as MCKAYLA MARONEY said they do not drink coffee before an event for energy, instead “we eat Corn Flakes.” 
 
5) Tennis great JOHN MCENROE, another frequent guest, appeared in '01 on the roof of a building adjacent to the Ed Sullivan Theater and hit tennis balls into an open window on an upper floor of the theater. Letterman asked McEnroe, “What kind of balls you using?” McEnroe: “These are Dunlop balls. Thanks for asking. That was nice. I just got $50,000 for that.” You can’t be serious!?  

4) In the wake of the U.S. Women’s World Cup team winning the '99 tournament in memorable fashion, MIA HAMM and BRANDI CHASTAIN appeared on the show and held their own during the interview. When Hamm said they were working on a deal to appear on the Wheaties box, Letterman said, “It makes me wonder, are the Wheaties people a little soft on communism?” Chastain -- we are sure to Letterman’s chagrin -- remained fully clothed throughout the interview.

3) The show had a raucous “only in New York” moment when Letterman surprised the studio audience by bringing out the Stanley Cup following the Rangers' win in ’94, and then upped the ante when BRIAN LEETCH, MIKE RICHTER and MARK MESSIER appeared. The three stars took the Cup into the audience, shaking hands and allowing people to touch something 54 years in the making.

2) The late DALE EARNHARDT reading the “Top Ten Reasons It Took Me 20 Years To Win The Daytona 500” days after winning his first “Great American Race” in ’98 was really entertaining. The Intimidator was at ease and seemed to enjoy laughing at himself, which went against his on-track persona. The No. 2 entry: “This year whenever I passed somebody I gave them the finger.” That completely sums up his driving style, minus the NASCAR fines for indecent hand gestures.

1) Letterman has long been a champion of open-wheel racing -- he's even co-owner of an IndyCar team -- and one inspirational moment on the show was definitely when driver ALEX ZANARDI, who lost both his legs in a horrific crash in ’01, walked on-stage using his prosthetic legs in ’04. Letterman told him, “When you hear this life out of this man’s mouth, it brings you to tears. The awe and the admiration that I have.” Zanardi said after that heartfelt comment from Letterman, “I wish my time was over so I could go home with that.” Letterman saying, “You are busier than my schedule and I have two legs. You’re making me look like a dope for God’s sake.” The guy cannot stop smiling, and that speaks volumes.

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2015/05/20/People-and-Pop-Culture/Letterman.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2015/05/20/People-and-Pop-Culture/Letterman.aspx

CLOSE