Countdown to Late Show w/David Letterman, July, August 1993

When Dave announced his move to CBS in mid-January 1993,* he still had five more months of Late Nights to produce for his then-current network. During a week break in early March, Dave visited CBS affiliates around the country to promote his move to the new network and help get clearances. Network executives were not pleased with him promoting CBS while still under contract, so such travels ceased until after Late Night's final new broadcast in late June.

*seen in full here -- https://youtu.be/cSZyBzDw040

Once Late Night was done, Dave was contractually free to begin preparing promotion with CBS over the summer. The first harvest came during the CBS-aired All-Star game on July 13, as no less than six Dave-to-CBS spots aired during the live broadcast, two lasting 20 seconds each, four at 10. Those spots begin this compilation, though the definitive collection, uploaded by 1ApolloOne in early 2015, can be seen here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGgbcN2Uwss&spfreload=10

The spots saturated the CBS airwaves for the next six weeks until Late Show's debut on August 30. Meanwhile, Paul Shaffer had released his "Party Boys of Rock and Roll" CD in August, so he had own promotional tour, first with an appearance on "Later with Bob Costas" that aired on August 19, and then, two days later, on "ABC In Concert." Both can be seen here: https://youtu.be/AI9FGZHajbc

CBS's promotion went full-throttle the week before Late Show's premiere:

1. Monday, August 23: CBS This Morning: With video of Dave's press conference in L.A. earlier in the summer; footage of the American Comedy Awards from March 3 and a followup scene from the July 7 episode of "The Larry Sanders Show"; renovation of the Ed Sullivan Theater; and a look at Dave's new neighbors.

[Tuesday, August 24: There was nothing featured.]

2. Wednesday, August 25: CBS This Morning: Mark McEwen interviews Paul Shaffer, with later a full music performance of "Something About You" with the now-called CBS Orchestra (but before the additions of Felicia Collins and Bernie Worrell).

3. Thursday, August 26: CBS This Morning: Paula Zahn and Harry Smith interview Dave, Part 1 of 3; and later, Mark McEwen interviews Teri Garr.

4. Friday, August 27: CBS This Morning: A live remote with two audience members from the previous night's "shakedown show"; an interview with Dave, Part 2 of 3.

5. Friday, August 27: KCBS 2 Action News in Los Angeles: Bree Walker interviews Dave via satellite.

6. Saturday, August 28, 11:35 PM: Harry Smith hosts "A Conversation with David Letterman," with footage inside the Late Show offices, and a chat with Executive Producers Peter Lasally and Robert Morton; Director Hal Gurnee; and Head Writer Rob Burnett.

7. Sunday, August 29: WCBS 5 PM News in NYC: Michelle Marsh interviews Dave, Part 1 of 2.

Monday, August 30, the big day:
8. CBS This Morning: An interview with Dave, Part 3 of 3.

9. Minutes later, Katie Couric interviews Jay Leno on the Today Show.

10. WCBS 5 PM News, at 5:10 PM: Live coverage outside the Sullivan Theater with Morry Alter 20 minutes before the first show's taping.

11. WCBS 5 PM News, at 5:52 PM: Live coverage outside, 22 minutes into the taping; Michelle Marsh's interview with Dave, Part 2 of 2, and a short clip with Andy Rooney.

12. WCBS 6 PM News: Live coverage into the 2nd half hour of the taping.

13. KCBS 2 Action News: A report from CBS's affiliate in Los Angeles in the late afternoon. With Paul's last name misspelled, of course.

14. KCBS 2 Action News: Another report, early evening with videotape not racked up.

15. KCBS 2 Action News: 11 PM report

16. Back in NYC: WCBS 11 PM News live coverage.

17. WCBS 11 PM News ends and Late Show begins its first broadcast.

Then, next-day reactions:

18. CNN Showbiz Today
19. CNN Headline News
20. (9/1): CNN Business
21. WCBS 5 PM News

Finally: In Michelle Marsh's interview, Part 2 (#11 above), Dave mentions taping a segment inside the Ed with Andy Rooney "two days ago." It aired two months later on Late Show #50, November 5, 1993, and is included here.

L.A. and other clips courtesy of C. Bay, again.

Видео Countdown to Late Show w/David Letterman, July, August 1993 канала Don Giller