On a recent episode of the talk show David Letterman, renowned director Ron Howard made a lively appearance to present the evening’s top ten list. The category? The top ten things you don’t want to hear from your director. As an experienced director with an Academy Award and the blockbuster film Angels and Demons under his belt, Ron Howard was the perfect guest for this entertaining segment.
The director-actor dynamic is crucial on a film set, with actors and crew relying on their director for guidance and reassurance. In moments of pressure and with the weight of a big production, the last thing anyone wants to hear are statements that shake their confidence. Ron Howard knows this all too well, and he shared some hilariously awful lines that actors and crew members hope to never hear from their director.
With his trademark sense of humor, Ron Howard began the countdown with number ten: “the stunt man called in sick, we’re going to set you on fire.” Clearly, not the message anyone wants to hear before a potentially dangerous scene. And at number nine, Ron humorously quipped, “sorry, I forgot to take the lens cap off.” A simple oversight that can lead to disastrous results on set.
But it was with number eight that Ron Howard really had the audience laughing when he announced, “this piece of crap’s going straight to DVD.” As someone who has achieved tremendous success in the film industry, Howard’s self-deprecating humor on this topic was truly entertaining.
Continuing the list, Ron Howard shared number seven: “damn it, I keep forgetting to take the lens cap off.” It seems like this mistake was a recurring theme on set, adding to the comedic element of the segment. And at number six, he amusingly pleaded, “I’ve got my shot list, but can someone please find my pants?” A humorous nod to the chaotic nature of film production.
Number five took a more unexpected turn when Ron Howard exclaimed, “I’m drunk.” The audience erupted in laughter as Howard comically acknowledged that sometimes directors might find themselves in rather unprofessional states. And at number four, he continued the laughter with, “Poy, come quick, Ralph MTH stuck in a foam booth with the pinga triplets!” Who knew foam booths and triplets could cause such chaos?
Number three brought another twist to the list as Ron Howard shared, “we need to do some re-shoot because I licked the film!” The absurdity of the statement had the audience roaring with laughter. And at number two, Ron Howard playfully declared, “I hope you don’t mind, I shot some footage of you in the shower.” A comedic reference to the often invasive nature of filmmaking.
Finally, with the number one thing you don’t want to hear from your director, Ron Howard delivered a playful jab: “Okay, Hanks, start gumping it up!” The audience couldn’t help but burst into laughter as Howard alluded to Tom Hanks‘ iconic role in “Forrest Gump” and the possibility of typecasting.
Ron Howard‘s appearance on David Letterman‘s talk show was a delightful reminder of the amusing and often unpredictable nature of filmmaking. With his vast experience and quick wit, Howard provided a light-hearted take on the top ten things you don’t want to hear from your director, leaving audiences entertained and eagerly anticipating his next project.
