Monday, July 19, 2010

David Letterman cuts back to 4 shows a week

Viewers who tuned into the "Late Show" on Friday saw a year-old broadcast featuring Johnny Depp and Megan Fox. It's part of a new summer schedule, according to the show's Wahoo Gazette: Friday repeats.

"We're trying something new this summer. Four new shows a week, with Friday being a previously viewed Late Show. We're seeing how it works out. Please write to the producers to let them know how much you think it's a great idea!" writes production coordinator Michael Z. McIntee, obviously angling for a little summer R&R.

The "Late Show" crew usually tapes Friday's show on Monday evening, so having the day off isn't a new thing, but it will definitely lighten the overall workload.

This Friday's rerun is scheduled to be a July 15, 2009 episode featuring Paul McCartney, as well as a Top Ten List presented by Bruce Willis.

10 comments :

  1. Andrew said...

    They're actually taping the Thursday show on Monday evening for summer, so they're definitely getting an extra day off.

  2. Talk Show News said...

    Thanks for that info, Andrew!

  3. 2hot2live said...

    They should show some "classic" episodes on Fridays. Like they did during the strike. I don't bother with recent (well, fairly recent) encore shows, they're pretty useless.

  4. mehnonymous (OpenID not working right now) said...

    Somewhere in the ticket info for "Late Show," it advises you to dress warmly because the temperature in the Ed Sullivan Theater is low "to keep the comedy fresh" (quoted from memory, i.e. may not be an exact quote). They wouldn't have to worry about freshness if they taped every show on the same day it airs! (I live in NYC and I thought about getting tickets for a taping this summer but I didn't want to go dressed in summer clothing and freeze my ass off.)

  5. Anonymous said...

    I would think people would be trying to get in just to escape from the 120 degree heat. And it really isn't that cold inside. Especially considering that you're standing in line outside with a hundred other people in the aforementioned heat before you're shuffled in.

  6. Talk Show News said...

    For the record, I've attended several "Late Show" tapings, and while it is definitely air conditioned, it's not like you're sitting in a meat locker. A light sweater is really all you need. Leave the parka and gloves at home.

  7. Anonymous said...

    If you go watch the late show being taped on Monday, do you get to stay for the taping for Fridays show also, or do they bring in a different audience? I am a huge Letteman fan and would love to make it up to NYC to view a taping someday.

  8. Talk Show News said...

    It's a different audience.

  9. Anonymous said...

    Looks like it's happening again in 2011, there have been reruns on Fridays the past couple of weeks and this Friday's show is a rerun too.

  10. maria said...

    I agree with airing older shows. when we went to one of the tapings, they showed very old segments and they were great. i would prefer that. just one thing, i wish dave would be a little edgier like he used to be. that's what his fans look for - that's why we don't watch "milk toast" leno!

    maria