Tonight is the "Late Show with David Letterman" that the entire Late Show with David Letterman year revolves around. Be sure to tune in / set your tivo / start the VCR / mark it down in your social, political or otherwise daily planner / call the neighbors / wake the kids / call the cops, etc.
It's the Late Show Special Christmas Edition! They do hundreds of shows each year but this is the biggey, this is what it all builds up to, it all comes down to this. If there was just one Late Show to see this year, it would be this one. There are a number of special Christmas Late Show traditions, some ridiculous (okay, most are ridiculous), some emotional, which have gradually and organically built up over the years and now you too can anticipate and look forward to them because I'm here to tell you what they are (hopefully without spoilers).
1) Topping the Christmas Tree
What to Expect: Most people put a star or an angel on top of the Christmas tree. That isn't the Late Show way. In order to represent the city of New York and at the same time bring in people who are part of the "Late Show family" in a creative way, the Christmas tree is topped first with a pizza (from Joe G's Pizza, a former neighbor of the show) then a small model of the Empire State building is placed on top of that (from Mujibar and Sirajul - also former neighbors of the show and frequent correspondents) and finally with a giant meatball with tomato sauce (from Rupert G's Hello Deli, a long time and current neighbor of the show). Traditionally "the topping of the tree" is meant to be done at the beginning of the week but I haven't seen it this year so it's either not shown on-air anymore or it'll be on tonight.
Origins: This tradition goes back to 1993, the first year of the Late Show. It was the first Late Show Christmas tree and they just decided to ask Mujibur and Sirajul to bring items from their shop to commemorate their friendship. They brought an American flag, a commemorative "U.S. Presidents" plate and a figurine of the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty conveniently fit the top and so it was kept. The pizza and meatball were added later as the show met more neighbors and I believe the Statue of Liberty was changed to the Empire of State building at some point. See the first ever topping
here.
2) Paul's Cher Impression
What to Expect: During desk chat, every year, Dave requests and Paul recalls a famous Christmas moment from the old "Sonny and Cher" show where Cher sang "Oh, Holy Night". It always ends with Paul doing a musical impression of what it sounded like that brings down the house. I don't want to give too much away but the word "muff" WILL be mentioned and it gets a laugh ever year.
Origins: This goes back almost to the dawn of Dave History. Paul first told this story in April of 1983 on Late Night. Dave enjoyed it so much that it was later retold at Christmas time of that year and has subsequently become tradition. No link so as to avoid spoiling the fun.
3) The Lone Ranger Story
What to Expect: Jay Thomas comes on and tells the "Lone Ranger Story". Pretty simple, just a man telling a true story from his past. Except to say, (and I won't give anything away) that the reason for this tradition is that it's the greatest true anecdote ever told on a late night talk show ever, in the history of all things. Oh, yes, prepare thyself, citizen.
Origins: This story was first told like every other story. Jay came on the show as a guest and simply told it. Dave describes it as perhaps the best story he's ever heard as a host of a talk show and he's brought Jay back every year since to retell it. I think this became a tradition basically as a Christmas gift that Dave gives himself and in conjunction with the fact that Jay has to be on the show anyway for #4.
4) The Meatball Quarterback Challenge
What to Expect: With the Christmas topping all in place (see #1) Jay Thomas and Dave get a giant vat of footballs and throw the footballs at the tree. The goal is to bullseye the giant meatball head-on and knock it off the tree from a distance of about 20 yards. It's something of a competition although Jay hits it almost ever year. These days, with over a decade of throws gone by, the Challenge is usually preceded by a montage of all past years.
Origins: In 1998, Dave had NFL quaterback Vinny Testaverde on the show and at the end of the segment they played the "Holiday Quarterback Challenge" (trying to throw a football and knock the meatball off the tree). Attempt after attempt, Vinny and Dave missed. Finally, Jay Thomas, who was scheduled as the second guest that night, got so mad that he ran out on stage, grabbed a football and knocked it off on his first throw. He's been back every year since. Recent editions have been preceded by the montage (mentioned previously) and have also incorporated the Late Show Hula Hoop Girl and Late Show Grinder Girl - although I think these two were just temporary and not actual additions to the tradition.
5) Darlene Love Performs "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"
What to Expect: If you're like me you might not be familiar with the artist or the song. But if you're like me, you'll instantly recognize both once you hear them and go "oooh". Coming at the end of the show, it's meant to be the finale that gets you right into "The Christmas spirit" and it works. I get goosebumps every single time and if you're not dead you will too.
Origins: In 1993, Paul and Darlene were doing a play together about the life of Phil Spector and invited Dave to see it. After the show Dave said to Paul, "We need to get Darlene Love down here to sing that Christmas song. That's the greatest Christmas song I've ever heard." And so they did. Originally, it was just Darlene and the band but each year it gets "bigger" as they try to top last year's performance. The number of instruments grew, the number of back up singers grew, the production grew etc. Until today where they have a full band, full orchestra, full choir, fake snow, costumes, the works. Last year (or a few years ago) they even had a saxophonist descend from the ceiling to do a solo.
And that's your Christmas Late Show. Know it. Watch it. Enjoy it.
