On a recent episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, David Letterman made a special appearance to discuss his thoughts on Thanksgiving and reminisce about a childhood pet turkey. The chat show audience erupted with applause as they welcomed the beloved TV host to the stage.
It began with an amusing anecdote about a court judgment involving David Letterman and Judge Wapner, known for his role in “The People’s Court.” Letterman jokingly recounted how he lost $24.95 to Judge Wapner on the show and did not hesitate to mention it when he joined Carson tonight. The witty banter between the two hosts kept the crowd entertained.
David Letterman also teased his upcoming show, David Letterman‘s Second Annual Holiday Film Festival, set to air right after Miami Vice. With his signature sense of humor, Letterman engaged in playful banter with Carson, causing the audience to burst into laughter.
As the conversation progressed, the topic shifted to David Letterman‘s passion for the Navy and his regret for not having served. He shared his admiration for the Navy and the water, explaining that he wished he had the opportunity to experience military life. The lighthearted exchange between Johnny Carson and David Letterman was a highlight of the show.
Thanksgiving, being one of David Letterman‘s favorite holidays, became the central theme of the evening. He regaled the audience with an endearing childhood memory involving a pet turkey. In his early years growing up in Indianapolis, Indiana, his family decided to raise their own turkey for the following year’s Thanksgiving feast. They visited a turkey farm and picked out a small turkey, which they fondly named “Tom Turtle.”
The turkey soon became much more than just a future meal—it became a cherished member of the family. Tom Turkey would eagerly wait for the school bus every day, accompany the children back to the house, and even sleep in their beds at night. Letterman jovially revealed how he would wake up to little peck marks on his feet. The bond between the Letterman family and their pet turkey grew stronger with each passing day.
However, when Thanksgiving finally arrived, they found it increasingly difficult to go through with the original plan of having their beloved Tom Turtle for dinner. The emotional attachment they had developed with the turkey made it almost impossible to imagine him as a meal. In the end, they opted for a different holiday menu, sparing their furry friend.
The heartwarming tale of David Letterman‘s childhood pet turkey left the audience filled with mixed emotions—laughter, nostalgia, and a touch of sentimentality. As the show came to a close, Letterman expressed his gratitude for being able to share his Thanksgiving story and thanked the audience for accompanying him on this trip down memory lane.
David Letterman‘s appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was a delightful blend of humor, nostalgia, and warm-hearted storytelling. The chat show once again proved to be a platform that brings together beloved celebrities, entertaining anecdotes, and unfiltered laughter. Stay tuned for more memorable moments on the late-night talk show that never fails to entertain.
