Tom Snyder on David Letterman 1980s KCST San Diego

Good evening everybody. I'm Tom Snyder and welcome once again to the Tomorrow Show here on NBC. Tonight we're going to take a look at the future of late night television. I mean, is it going straight to hell or is it going right down the tubes? And here with me is a fellow you all know, Mr. David Letterman. Dave, it's good. By the way, is it David or is it Dave? What do you like? >> Dave is right sir. David is. Now tell me Dave, what the heck is going on on TV after midnight? I is there any hope at all here? >> Well, gee, I'm I'm really not sure. >> In other words, Dave, it's pretty grim. A pretty sad story. There's not much going on here, right? Well, I don't know. Of course, you have you have Johnny and then there's Ted CP. >> Okay. All right. Okay. There's Johnny. There's Ted Cppel. Okay, fair enough, Dave. I'll give you Mr. Cppel, but that's about it. The folks at home, they might as well go to bed now. >> Well, again, Tom, I'm not sure. >> No, they might as well turn off the set, Dave. They might as well hit the hay, skip the whole thing, get some sleep, forget it. >> Well, well, you know, Tom, interestingly enough, I I have a little show that I do every night at about 12:30 here on NBC. >> Like I say, you know, douse the lights, fluff up the pillow, pull out the plug, head for Dreamland, flip the switch, pull back the [Music] from New York where say Biff, what are those strange lights in the sky? >> Don't worry, Bill. Probably just some kind of top secret Air Force experiment. >> I hope you're right, Biff. I hope you're right. It's late night with David Letterman. Tonight, Tom Snyder, filmmaker John Waters, and a woman who sailed around the world, Tanya Abby. Plus, Paul Schaefer, and the world's most dangerous man. And now, a man who one of those weird nights is hovering right over us. I feel weird. >> Hell, where did you go? I better finish this over now. David. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] That's it. That's it. [Applause] Yeah. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you, folks. Welcome to the show. I really feel that we have slapped together one hour of quality television entertainment for you people here tonight. >> Well, perhaps not that good. Uh I'm glad you folks are in a great mood because quite frankly, in all honesty, I feel lousy. Uh listen to this. All right. All right. Let let me explain. Today, today is the first day of the rest of my life. No one sent me a card. [Music] [Laughter] So, then then I get to work and uh kind of an ugly thing happened up in my office. I don't know. I I I I don't know how to get along with the press. And uh this guy was up there from a major magazine. He was doing an interview with me and and and I had to throw him right out of the office. I had to throw him right out of the office because he violated rule number one. When you're talking to me, don't mention my former marriage to Jill St. John. Just wow. >> Listen to how quiet it's become. Well, it sounds like >> the audience is frightened now because they're worried that I'm not in control. >> To me, I to me it sounds like you're doing somebody else's act. >> Well, I've made a pretty comfortable living at that. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. And who would that other person mean? The first one was the first day was like Rod Mchuan, first day of the rest of my life. So, you got a joke from him. >> That's right. >> And then the next one >> That's right. It is a Rod Mchuan. You know the Jo >> Funny Man Rod Mchuan. >> You still he used to go up the mountains to see him work on the weekends. >> Yeah. With a drummer. And you know >> that's right. Let me just try this one more and then I have a feeling this this show is just going to catch fire and explode into great entertainment joy. >> This is you. This next joke is you. >> Well, President Reagan announced a new policy for choosing another Supreme Court nominee to avoid all of the problems that have been happening. From now on, anyone submitted for nomination needs only a valid driver's license and two major credit cards. So the game is good. Here's our good friend, Mr. Paul Schaefer. Paul Schaefer, ladies and gentlemen. >> Thank you very much. >> When um >> we got a I think we have a really good show tonight. >> We do. >> Do you have a nice weekend? Nice evening. One thing's puzzling me. >> What's that? >> When were you involved with Chill St. John? >> Whatever. >> I would have to I would have if that were true, then I wouldn't have to throw you out. >> That's right. >> Yeah. Uh Will, over the weekend, I get a call from Mo Ginsburg. >> Ah, Mo Ginsburg is not the man who uh did not make it to the Supreme Court. That was uh what was his first name? >> Larry. >> Larry Ginsburg. No. Anyway, Mo Ginsburg did call and I just wanted you to know because I think you mentioned his name. He he doesn't Mo run a big men's store downtown or something? >> Is that who it is? >> Supreme for big big giant guys downtown. Mo called uh and um last night now I don't from time to time I've mentioned this. My neighbors have a huge a huge dog a very friendly lovable giant dog. And periodically he comes over to my house to visit. Last night it was raining. I hear a thing at the door. This is the dog scratching just like that. He of course can't reach the bell. So, so I let him in and he's having a peaceful evening. And then a little bit later, it's time for the dog to go home. So, I open the door and let let the dog go back out to where wherever his home happens to be. In the morning, I I get up and there on one of my brand new rugs, the dog has taken a giant dump. I thought that was pretty bad manners. Boy, I thought they'd love that story. How can you not love a story like that? Well, you again borrowing from, you know, >> it's a true story. I didn't borrow it from anyone. >> No, it's a great I know it was but where's it was impolite. >> That's right, Paul. He was impolite. And by the way, that's as impolite as you can get, I think. >> I guess so. Yeah, >> I enjoyed it. No, it's just part of that chatty beginning of the show that you do so well. That loose reparte that you have. >> I don't care. We got a great show tonight. We've we've been trying to get uh Tom Snyder on this program for the last 5 and a half years and he's here tonight and uh one of the broadcasting giants and he's with us >> and uh the woman who sailed around the world by herself. Tanya Abby is where isn't that where Chaucer is buried Paul? Tanya Abby, >> I believe. So, Dave, yeah, Chaucer, >> everyone in here knows something I don't know. Is that the deal? >> No. >> It just has that terrible feeling. Uh, also, filmmaker John Waters will be with us in a couple of minutes. You know, ladies and gentlemen, the recent failures. What the hell? Oh, this is a good move here. Easy. Don't hurt yourself. God, >> I missed it. >> Wow. Oh, it's like we're playing Twister with the camera equipment here tonight. Uh, the recent failures of Robert Bourke and Douglas Ginsburg to be confirmed for the highest court in America have raised troubling questions. So, tonight, using the tool of experimental theater, our own peace through dramatization players hope to shed some light on these issues. Here's a little play now they call Hell is now in session. Kids [Music] well, the system of congressional review of Supreme Court justices established by our founding fathers is working perfectly. >> How can you say that, Dad? I wanted Judge Ginsburg to be confirmed >> and so did Tffy. >> I know you had your heart set on it, Timmy, but the man experimented with narcotics. >> But mom, he had that cool beard. It's so unfair. I wish there was no congressional review of Supreme Court nominees. >> What the hell is the matter with you? If you spent more time playing sports instead of whining about current events, you wouldn't be such a repulsive little weenie. >> Hi folks. Hi everybody. Hi Timmy. Hi Tffy. How's it going? >> Wow. Late night talk show host David Letter. >> That's right. Timmy, >> you seem to come by whenever we're arguing. Well, you know, I was in the trailer park here collecting collecting scrap aluminum for my various hobby projects and and I and I couldn't help overhearing. Now, now, Timmy, do you really think we should put judges on the Supreme Court without a look into their private lives? >> Well, I guess not. But aren't we ever going to get a new judge? >> Well, well, Timmy, you know, when you get right down to it, who really cares? >> You see, the real fun is digging up a lot of sleazy stuff about people in the public eye. So, you think there might be something on Judge Anthony Kennedy, the most likely nominee? Think >> I happen to know that this guy, Anthony Kennedy, once shot a gas station attendant in Reno who caught him busting open a vending machine. >> Wow. Really? >> No, I made that up. >> But but you know, they're they're going to find out something about this guy that's just as entertaining. And that's where the real fun comes in. My gosh, look who's here. It's Biff Henderson. He's making his debut with the Peace Three Dramatization Players tonight. Aren't you, Biff? >> Mhm. Mhm. I only wish I had better news, Dave. >> I'm afraid Tffy has hypopia. He's going to have to be destroyed. >> Oh my gosh, he has hyperobia. >> Oh, he's my dog. >> If he has to be destroyed, I'll do it. >> No. No. I see. Now, this is just getting uglier and uglier. >> Oh. >> Oh, why? It's late night drummer Anton Fig. >> Hold your fire. I've just come from the lab and I have good news. There was a mixup with the test. Tffy is fine. He'll live to be a ripe old age. >> Oh, boy. Well, that's absolutely Thanks for that good news. Thank you. So, it was all a mixup now. Now, Timmy, do you understand the message the message of our little play here tonight that we were trying to impart? >> Well, that the Supreme Court is good. Um, yeah. I guess that's what we were trying to say. Good night, everybody. Come here, Tuppy. Come on. WHOA. [Music] [Applause] OKAY, we uh we we got a great show. We'll be right back after this. Thanks, folks. [Applause] [Music] [Music] John Crier's back. >> You're right. >> And high school's everything he remembers the first time, only worse. >> Let me see your back. No smoking on the school grounds. >> John Crier, hiding out. Rated PG-13. Now playing at theaters everywhere. >> Welcome to the pub in Matilda by Australia. >> Good day. >> Step inside. Check your hat, mate. Kick up your heels and cozy up in the bar for a little nip of our smooth refresher. Matilda Bay wine cooler. Oh, it's a different kind of cooler. Of course, this is a different kind of place. Now, just about everybody can enjoy Matilda Bay cooler. Good day, Skippy. Cuz it's being made by our mates in the States. Take your taste away from me every day. This Wednesday, November 11th, it's J C Penneyy's 1-day sale with savings that are 1 in a million. Like 25% off all women's package bras and briefs and 25% off all men's casual slacks. All men's sweaters are 25 to 33% off. There are wonderful buys in every department, but hurry, the sale this Wednesday is only one day, and you don't want to be the only one not there. JC Pandy. >> Thank you, Vidal. Thank you, Vidal. >> Everyone is thankful for my Vidal Cissoon Advanced Salon Formula Shampoo and Conditioning Finishing Rinse. Together, they cleanse away, styling, buildup, and leave hair radiant. >> Thank you, Vidal. >> It's Jerome's Furniture Warehouse 33rd anniversary, and we're celebrating with an incredible savings event. Plus, Jerome's pays a sales tax. This day better entertainment center. Your choice, $99. These oak and brass occasional tables, your choice, $77 each. This oak and almond fivepiece bedroom, only $5.99. This three-piece sleeper sectional, only $6.99. All four giant locations are celebrating. Hurry and save. And remember, Jeromes will pay the sales tax. [Music] [Applause] [Music] >> Thank you very much. Boy, what a It's a great day here in New York City. If you like drizzly, rain, chilly weather, it's beautiful here in New York City tonight. Do you like it when it's like this, Paul? >> It's rough. I can't say I do. >> Boy, I do. I think one of these a month would be just fine. It's very exciting. It makes the city seem doubly romantic, don't you think? >> Yeah. Uh, our first guest tonight, uh, entertain the late night television viewing audience as host of NBC's Tomorrow program. This show, terribly successful, was on the air for, I think, eight years from 1973 and until 1981. And last month, he began a a brand new project. It's a nightly ABC radio network talk show. Folks, please welcome the one, the only Tom Snyder. Tom, good to see you. Pleasure to have you here. Thank you. You want to go home? I want to go home. Thank you. Thank you very much. You walked out and you gave the talk show salute. >> Basically, I don't know what to do with my hands. I'm so nervous it's scary. I mean, >> now why are you nervous? >> Because Dave, I haven't been in the And by the way, I like what you've done to the room. It looks really, really good. >> Thank you very much. >> Really, you really fix it up nicely. Uh it's been uh since 1981 that I've been in this room and in this building and I have great reverence for this building and for this audience and for this time period because in 15 years only two of us have done this. >> But you were the one Tom who made it viable if it weren't for you. >> Stop it now. >> Well, no, that's true. I mean, you came on and proved that there was an audience out there eager for network television. >> A small audience in the beginning, but eager to be sure. >> That's right. And now you're you're on uh I guess it is ABC radio. Well, it's a conglomeration network and I don't want to go into it because it's very complicated, but if they hate me here, you can always turn the radio on right now. I'm I'm over there right >> now. Will will you be on right now talking about what what happened here tonight? >> Probably. In fact, people will be calling in from all over the country telling me how I did and I hope they say I'd done good. >> Yeah. But, you know, it's it's a it's a greatly entertaining show. I when I drive home I have the choice now of listening to Larry King or you and I go back and forth most nights and and I must Well, you do because I I mean my guy >> No, I didn't mean that the way it's but as we were talking earlier I think that AM radio and network radio now is some of the uh most creative and informational entertaining program with Larry King who's on another network and Steve Allen is back on the radio and Sally Jesse Rafael is coming on the radio network. A lot of people are coming on the radio network and people say why and I say because they asked us. >> Mhm. Sure. But didn't you start in radio? I'm guessing you did. >> We all did. Right. The Mighty 1340, Mounds of Sound, Stacks of Wax, all designed with you in mind for your late afternoon pleasure. Absolutely. >> Uh do do you like what you see happening with the radio now? Especially we're talk here in in New York, of course, it's Howard Stern and and almost every major >> Shock Radio where like there's one uh uh out in Los Angeles uh and I won't mention his name because I don't put down other performers or talent. Come on, put some down. >> His name is Jay. His name is Jay Thomas. AND I and I can't criticize the man David