Norm Macdonald on Late Night with Conan O’Brien – May 15, 1997
Perhaps the single greatest late night appearance of all time. Norm never disappointed when he graced a panel but this appearance carried with it a particular added magic that is hard to contend with. While most guests remain virtually silent on the couch after their segment is over, Macdonald couldn’t help but interject with punchline after punchline while host Conan O’Brien conducted his interview with fellow guest Courtney Thorne-Smith. As things continue to get out of hand, Conan even eggs the comedian on, hoping it will quell his sensational appetite for interruption. Norm was always a gamblin’ man however and would never turn down another roll at the dice.
2. Andy Kaufman on Late Night with David Letterman – July 28, 1982
Andy Kaufman was the master of the ruse. For his entire career, both fans and critics couldn’t tell just what was real and what was staged. Kaufman seemed far more interested in keeping such debates alive rather than making any studio audience laugh. Completely comfortable in a room full of people who were painfully uncomfortable, Kaufman is at his best here. The debate as to whether or not pro wrestler Jerry Lawler was in on the gag lasted for years after this appearance. Lawler eventually admittedly publicly that the whole thing was planned but not until after Kaufman’s death. Watch as these two unlikely co-conspirators take the Letterman audience for a wild ride that would have been no doubt the subject of discussion around the water-cooler the next morning.
Rodney Dangerfield on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson – September 2, 1974
Hosting came easy when Rodney Dangerfield was your guest, in fact most hosts could barely get a word in edgewise. Dangerfield came prepared for a television appearance like few other acts before or since and he could spitfire jokes at a rate unrivalled to this day. Watch as Johnny busts a gut and nearly coughs up a lung listening to Dangerfield’s lifetime saga of getting no respect.
Will Ferrell on Late Night with Conan O’Brien – March 26, 2015
Will Ferrell has produced so many comedies over his career and thus made so many late night appearances that it was difficult to select which one for this list but this one may just be his best. It’s quintessential Ferrell; silly, absurd and absolutely deadpan.
Jim Carrey on Late Night with David Letterman – December 12, 1994
Jim Carrey is at the height of his fame here, coming off the heels of three major blockbuster comedies; Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura and The Mask. In 1994, you couldn’t find a bigger comedic talent on the planet and Carrey knew it. Here he jokes about his newfound fame and wealth with his unique and voice and elastic face. He’s having so much fun Letterman can’t help but join in.
Eddie Murphy on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson – January 1, 1982
It’s hard to believe that this was Eddie Murphy’s first appearance on The Tonight Show as he takes the stage with such ease and grace. Perhaps it shouldn’t be too surprising that he had such confidence during this era when you consider that he was also carrying the NYC sketch show Saturday Night Live on his back at a time when the ratings were at an all time low. Many fans say Murphy was the only reason the show managed to stay on the air during that time and this appearance serves as evidence to back that theory.
Sam Kinison on Late Night with David Letterman – November 14, 1985
This was Sam Kinison’s network television debut and what a bold one it was. Even Letterman’s introduction of him, saying, “He is one of the strangest and most original comics working today. Brace yourselves. I’m not kidding…” still couldn’t have prepared the audience for what they were about to see. Kinison, formerly a Pentecostal preacher, left the church to perform stand up after seeing Richard Pryor at the Comedy Store in the late 1970’s. An experience that was in and of itself religious, Kinison would later recall. He came onto the comedy scene like a lightning rod and then left it at a moment’s notice after dying in a car accident in 1992. Norm Macdonald later said of Kinison, “he was the last original voice of comedy, there has been nobody since.” What do you think?
Bill Murray on Late Night with David Letterman – May 14, 1991
It should be noted that Bill Murray was David Letterman’s first ever guest on his show Late Night with David Letterman back in 1982 and Murray continued to be one of his most frequent guests through the different iterations of his show. A close personal friend to the host, the two can be seen here goofing around with a staged heckler. The bit is so good that one will happily and wilfully, suspend their disbelief around the organic nature of their exchange.
Chris Farley on Late Night with David Letterman – March 22, 1995
Chris Farley may have one of the most tragic stories in all of comedy folklore, too funny to live, too legendary to die. Here he makes his second appearance on Late Night with David Letterman and it’s clear that Farley himself was a huge fan of the program. Despite his nerves, Farley does not disappoint the audience nor his hero Dave.
1 thought on “9 Great Late Night Appearances by Comics”
Good post!