In an exciting night for the talk show host David Letterman, the chat show featured a unique episode with three chairs on set. This was a first for the show, and Letterman and his co-host Paul reminisced about past episodes and couldn't recall another instance of having three chairs.
But the reason for the extra chair became apparent as the trio of satirists Jim Abrams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker took the stage. These three young men from Milwaukee had achieved great success with their 1980 film "Airplane," which grossed a whopping $170 million at the box office.
The conversation kicked off with some lighthearted banter about their physical appearances, with Letterman joking about their mustaches and sores on their faces. The filmmakers revealed that despite the film's immense success, they didn't actually make as much money as people might think. The studio took the lion's share, leaving them with only about five or six million dollars.
The filmmakers went on to explain that "Airplane" was not a meticulously planned project. It was a happy accident that came about when they stumbled upon the movie "Zero Hour" on late-night television. Recognizing the potential for comedy, they decided to write a satire based on its premise. With a budget of just three and a half million dollars, the film exceeded all expectations.
Letterman couldn't resist asking about his own involvement in "Airplane." To everyone's amusement, it turned out that Letterman had actually screen tested for the lead role in the film. The filmmakers brought the screen test footage, which Letterman admitted was embarrassing. However, it showcased his potential as an actor, leading him to joke that maybe if he had gotten the part, the movie would have made even more money.
The success of "Airplane" led to another project called "Kentucky Fried Movie". The trio also mentioned their involvement in another film titled "Police Squad", which satirized cop shows and was currently airing on ABC. They shared that they didn't have creative input or profit participation in the "Airplane" sequel due to the rights being owned by the studio.
The article ends with a mention of "Police Squad" and a clip from the show featuring Leslie Nielsen questioning a witness. The filmmakers revealed that they were working on starting a small religious school in addition to their commitments with "Police Squad."
Overall, the chat show episode was a lively and entertaining discussion about the success of "Airplane" and the filmmakers' journey in the industry. With their knack for satire and witty humor, Jim Abrams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker had undoubtedly made a significant mark in Hollywood.
