You wouldn't believe how many people have asked me, "How can I get tickets to the show?" or "What's the address for so-and-so?" Well, here they are -- my answers to you, the home viewer, on the Late Show with David Letterman.

I missed last night's show -- how can I get a copy of it? Or, Can I get a copy of the show from ___? Or, Can I get a copy of the transcript of an interview?

To quote Dave himself, "If you'd like a videotape copy of tonight's show.... TURN ON YOUR DAMN VCR's!" But seriously, "Late Show" does not provide audio, video, or written copies of any episodes aired. Transcripts just don't exist, with the rare exception of a fan typing one themselves. The best way to get a video copy of a broadcast is to post a kind request in Usenet newsgroup alt.fan.letterman. It's possible that someone in the newsgroup may have taped the program and is willing to trade you their copy. For more information on Usenet newsgroups, consult your Internet Service Provider (America Online members may use Keyword: Usenet), or check out Google Groups: alt.fan.letterman. Please do not e-mail me about this! I do not tape the show nightly, and I cannot help you beyond the above suggestion. If you e-mail a question about getting a copy of a show, I'll send you right back to this page. :-)

How can I get tickets to the big show?

Send one POSTCARD with your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers to:
Late Show Tickets
The Ed Sullivan Theater
1697 Broadway
New York, NY 10019

...and be patient! Tickets can take six to eight months (or more!) to get from the Ed Sullivan Theater to your hot little hands. Each postcard request is for a pair of tickets. Requests for additional tickets for the same taping will not be honored.

CBS.com/Late Show offers ticket info on the web, and the chance to get tickets if someone cancels. Check out the details at http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/show_info/ls_show_info_get_ticket.shtml if you're interested.

How about standby tickets?

The official word from CBS on standby tickets is:

Stand-by tickets are available on the day of the show only by calling (212) 247-6497 at 11:00am ET. The phones will be answered until the allocation is gone, at which time you will receive a recording. Only 2 tickets will be issued per caller and the recipient must have identification to match the name given when calling in.

Please understand that stand-by tickets do not guarantee admittance to the Late Show.

I used to recomend showing up no later than 8:00 am. Some people used to show up at 6:00 or earlier. If you have experienced the new standby procedure, please e-mail me and give me the scoop. The number of standby audience members that are admitted to the show depends on the number of "real" ticketholders who show up. Some days only two standby ticketholders are let in while other days, twenty-five or more standby ticketholders are let in.

Additional Late Show Ticket questions and answers can be found at the CBS.com/Late Show web site.

What about stupid human/pet tricks? What should I do?

Send in a videotape (uncut-- unedited) that shows you or your pet repeating the trick three or four times in a row. Do not stop the tape in between each demonstration (this is to show that the trick can be done consistently).

Send the video to:
Pet/Human Tricks Coordinator
Ed Sullivan Theater
1697 Broadway
New York, NY 10019

(A high-school friend of mine, Brian Beitlich, got on the show -- he was the guy who could chew the top off of a Pepsi can.)

Letters -- they get letters -- they get stacks and sacks of letters. How can my letter be one of them?

Send your letter to:
CBS Mailbag
Ed Sullivan Theater
1697 Broadway
New York, NY 10019

Or you can e-mail your letter to the Late Show through their online CBS Mailbag form. Be witty, but not too much so.

I have an idea for the show... Where do I go from here?

Well, most of the time the Late Show will ignore Top Ten suggestions, or ideas for comedy skits, but... you never know. The snail and e-mail addresses are above. You can also try sending a message using the Late Show feedback form. Good luck!

Where can I find the Top Ten lists?

Last night's Top Ten can be found at http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/top_ten/. (While you're there, don't forget to check out Top Ten Extra, a collection on rejected Top Ten items from the previous night's list-- some of them are better than the ones that made the cut!) Top Tens can also sometimes be found in the newsgroup alt.fan.letterman.top-ten posted by someone with more time on my hands than me! Previous Top Tens can be found at the CBS archive at http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/top_ten/archive/index.shtml.

Is there a mailing list for the Top Tens?

In the words of former President Bill Clinton, "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!" There is currently no official listserv for the Top Ten Lists. Rumor used to be that the kids at CBS would be starting a mailing list. If that ever happens, information will be posted here.

What's the address for the [insert department name here] department?

Department Name
The Ed Sullivan Theater
1697 Broadway
New York, NY 10019

Where can I score myself some Late Show shirts, hats, etc.?

The main source of Late Show merchandise can be found at the CBS online store. Check them out at http://store.cbs.com/show.php?showID=34 for all your merchandise needs.

Who are those people?

For information on the Late Show staff, go to http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/show_info/bios/ls_show_info_bios_dletterman.shtml.

Are you Dave?-- is Dave on the Internet?

For the love of God, no, and no. I am not Dave, and to my knowlege, Dave probably couldn't turn on a Macintosh if his life depended on it. I'm begging you all-- please don't send me an e-mail that starts out "Dear Dave..."

You still haven't answered my question...

For more exciting questions and answers, such as "What's the atomic weight of magnesium?", visit the CBS.com/Late Show web site FAQs at http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/show_info/ls_show_info_faq.shtml.

More questions and answers to come as I get them...

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If you have any suggestions for additions/corrections for this page, please feel free to e-mail me any time.

Back to the Letterman page.

Updated 4/17/2003 by Kevin Nagle.