Writer Steve O’Donnell, known for his work on the late-night talk show “Late Night with David Letterman,” recently shared some of his favorite moments from his time on the show. O’Donnell, who worked as a writer and head writer for 13 years, expressed his gratitude for the job and the incredible experiences it brought him.
One theme that O’Donnell highlighted was the role of luck in creating memorable moments on the show. He recounted several instances where luck played a part in making a piece truly wonderful. One such moment was when they experimented with a super slow-motion camera and decided to have a wet dog shake itself dry on air. Despite initial doubts, the segment turned out to be a success.
During a week of shows in Las Vegas, O’Donnell had the good fortune of running into a colorful character named James T. Bagot. Bagot, an old-fashioned hobo-type character, joined Letterman and an Elvis impersonator for a memorable segment. Another stroke of luck came when O’Donnell discovered two guys from Bangladesh, Mujur and Sarah Jewel, in the gift shop at the Ed Sullivan Theater. This encounter led to a nationwide tour with the duo and unforgettable memories.
Not everything went smoothly, however. O’Donnell recalled a funny incident when they visited Mount Rushmore and stayed at a subpar motel run by a character named Red Pepper. Despite expecting to showcase the segment that night, a delay caused by O.J. Simpson’s infamous police chase left O’Donnell wondering if their bit would ever make it to air.
O’Donnell also reflected on moments when his creativity sparked interesting segments. One idea came from his mother, who noticed that Letterman never wore gym shoes with his shirt, tie, and jacket. O’Donnell took this observation and wrote a bit where Letterman’s supervisor chastised him throughout the show for his various incompetencies. The segment, featuring actor Charlton Heston, turned out to be a hit.
Throughout his time on the show, O’Donnell experienced both praise and criticism. He remembered receiving angry letters from viewers who were not happy with a book of hodgepodge comedy he worked on. He also faced backlash for creating a recipe for “Dave’s Dog Jacks,” which involved frying bologna. Despite the mixed reactions, O’Donnell cherished the moments that brought a smile or a laugh from Letterman.
One of the highlights for O’Donnell was a recurring segment where they dialed random numbers in the office building across the street. One lucky individual named Meg became a regular participant, engaging in playful interactions with the show’s host. O’Donnell appreciated Meg‘s humor and enjoyed the stunts they tried together, including dropping objects from her window at Letterman’s request.
As O’Donnell reminisces about his time on “Late Night with David Letterman,” he recognizes the element of luck that shaped his experiences. Writing jokes, creating memorable segments, and working with a talented team were the keys to his success on the show. O’Donnell’s passion for entertaining audiences shines through as he reflects on the highs and lows of his time in late-night television.
