Deirdre Dod, also known as Dee, was a talent coordinator on the famous talk show, David Letterman, for nine years. She started as an intern and eventually worked her way up to her role as a talent coordinator. During her time on the show, she had some memorable moments that she shared in a recent interview.
One of Deirdre’s favorite moments was when she had to do cameos on the show. While she loved it for the money, she also admitted that it was nerve-wracking. One week, Jerry Veale, the Green Room greeter, called her name and she hurriedly went to him with drinks, wearing a French maid outfit. However, she had an embarrassing moment when her cup started shaking and one of her boobs fell out on Tom Brokaw. Mortified, she realized that he was not even a guest on the show, just a breach of security.
Deirdre’s job as a talent coordinator also involved taking care of unexpected problems. She once had to unclog a sink for Andrew Martin while dressed provocatively. She found it amusing to plunge a sink in a sexy outfit, but she managed to get the problem fixed immediately.
Apart from her behind-the-scenes responsibilities, Deirdre occasionally participated in audience pieces. She mentioned that these bits were nerve-wracking because David Letterman would sometimes catch her off guard with unexpected questions. However, one time, a woman named Elizabeth Turner saved her when David asked for her name. Elizabeth responded, receiving a cat call from the audience that helped Deirdre escape a potentially embarrassing situation.
Deirdre also shared her experiences with the camera races on the show. Although she found them exciting, she confessed that she was not good at running in heels. Nonetheless, she managed to successfully participate in one of the camera races, which made her feel proud.
Being part of a talk show, Deirdre had the opportunity to meet and interact with various celebrities. She expressed her love for the musical guests, although David did not always understand their performances. One awkward moment involved Sonic Youth, where Thurston Moore trashed his guitar, leaving Deirdre fearing that she was going to get fired.
Despite being portrayed as a miserable and mean employee, Deirdre had some fun moments on the show. She mentioned that her father used to do stunts for the show, such as driving desks on the highway. She appreciated those opportunities where she could work with her father.
Of course, working on a talk show also had its share of unexpected incidents. Deirdre revealed that she once got bitten on the ass by a baby tiger that Jack Hannah brought on the show. It required her to get a tetanus shot later in the day, which she humorously attempted to numb with Jack Daniels.
Deirdre’s time on the show also included humorous skits, such as the smoking break sketch. She used to smoke back then and found it amusing to have a smoking break in the middle of the show.
One episode involved a viewer letter asking if there were any instances of the audience making out during the show. To everyone’s surprise, the camera cut to Deirdre making out with Hal. She mentioned that it was an uncomfortable situation, akin to making out with her father.
Deirdre also recalled her involvement in a magic act on the show. She received letters from prisoners, which she found amusing. However, she jokingly stated that meeting her husband was not one of the outcomes of the act.
Overall, Deirdre Dod had some unforgettable moments during her time on David Letterman‘s talk show. From embarrassing encounters to exciting skits, she experienced it all.
