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The Best Episodes of Late Show with David Letterman

Every episode of Late Show with David Letterman ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Late Show with David Letterman!

Best episode
S16E89 Joaquin Phoenix, Bar Refaeli, Anthony Hamilton
8.840 votes
Worst episode
S12E174 Episode #12.174
1.490 votes
Top season
Season 3
9.5avg
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons22

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Late Show with David Letterman Season 16 Episode 89 - Joaquin Phoenix, Bar Refaeli, Anthony Hamilton
    8.8/10(40 votes)

    S16:E89

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Late Show with David Letterman Season 18 Episode 139 - Bryan Cranston, Jeff Altman, Garland Jeffreys
    9.0/10(29 votes)

    S18:E139

    Dave welcomes actor Bryan Cranston, comedian Jeff Altman and musical guest Garland Jeffreys.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Late Show with David Letterman Season 15 Episode 49 - Sen. John Edwards, Diablo Cody, Josh Ritter, David "Fathead" Newman
    8.0/10(170 votes)

    S15:E49

    Senator John Edwards, Diablo Cody, and Josh Ritter are the scheduled guests.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 89 - Peter Lassally, Doc Severinson
    8.7/10(23 votes)

    S12:E89

    Dave's first new show following the death of Johnny Carson is an hour-long tribute, featuring clips of Johnny's appearances on both ""Late Show"" and ""Late Night,"" and the ""Tonight Show"" clip of Johnny stealing Dave's pickup truck; longtime ""Tonight"" producer Peter Lassally; former ""Tonight"" bandleader Doc Severinsen and former NBC Orchestra members Tommy Newsom and Ed Shaughnessy perform one of Johnny's favorite songs, ""Here's That Rainy Day.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 95 - Kevin James, Aishwarya Rai, Three Doors Down
    8.1/10(30 votes)

    S12:E95

    Dave shows ""actual"" footage of the Hubble Telescope; Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai promotes Bride and Prejudice; 3 Doors Down performs ""Let Me Go.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Late Show with David Letterman Season 20 Episode 1 - Kathy Griffin; Chris Pratt; Big Boi
    8.8/10(15 votes)

    S20:E1

    Comic Kathy Griffin; from "Zero Dark Thirty", actor Chris Pratt; Big Boi performs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Late Show with David Letterman

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  7. Late Show with David Letterman Season 19 Episode 44 - Debra Messing, Josh Hutcherson, Oberhofer
    9.0/10(13 votes)

    S19:E44

    Dave welcomes actress Debra Messing, actor Josh Hutcherson, and musical guests Oberhofer. The "Smash" star discovers a lot of fake Debra Messings on Twitter.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Late Show with David Letterman Season 15 Episode 99 - Billy Crystal, Maria Sharapova
    8.3/10(22 votes)

    S15:E99

    Dave discusses Harry's T-ball debut; the backdrop scalper tries to sell Papel Mass tickets a week late; Chris Elliott and Gerard Mulligan spend a day at New York Rangers' practice; Billy Crystal riffs on turning 60 and playing one game for the Yankees; Dave and Billy play tennis on 53rd Street with Maria Sharapova.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Late Show with David Letterman Season 19 Episode 41 - Martin Short, The Ting Tings
    8.4/10(14 votes)

    S19:E41

    Dave welcomes actor Martin Short and musical guests The Ting Tings. Martin upsets a famous female broadcaster and her husband (but it's not Connie Chung and Maury Povich).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Late Show with David Letterman Season 1 Episode 1 - Bill Murray, Tom Brokaw, Paul Newman, Billy Joel
    7.5/10(42 votes)

    S1:E1

    Tom Brokaw shows up to take back some NBC ""intellectual property;"" Dave shows off the renovated Ed Sullivan Theater and chats with Bill Murray.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Late Show with David Letterman Season 20 Episode 55 - Matthew McConaughey; Ryan Lochte; Steve Earle & The Dukes (& Duchess)
    8.3/10(13 votes)

    S20:E55

    From "Mud", actor Matthew McConaughey; Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte; musical guests Steve Earle & The Dukes (& Duchess).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Late Show with David Letterman Season 22 Episode 149 - Episode 149
    7.9/10(18 votes)

    S22:E149

    The final episode includes surprises, memorable highlights and the last Top Ten List.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Late Show with David Letterman Season 18 Episode 11 - Jack Hanna, Steven Tyler
    8.0/10(14 votes)

    S18:E11

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 147 - Ray Ramono, Dave Matthews Band
    7.8/10(14 votes)

    S12:E147

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Late Show with David Letterman Season 14 Episode 6 - Maria Sharapova, Martha Stewart, Justin Timberlake
    7.6/10(17 votes)

    S14:E6

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Late Show with David Letterman Season 15 Episode 95 - Kelsey Grammer, Kristen Bell, Rogue Wave
    7.1/10(37 votes)

    S15:E95

    After Kelsey Grammer shares a disgusting antedote about his pet, Dave theorizes that every great story ends with "...and then the dog ate it." His hypothesis is confirmed when "Heroes" star Kristen Bell shares a dog story of her own.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Late Show with David Letterman Season 1 Episode 8 - Al Gore, Kim Basinger, Chris Isaak
    7.2/10(26 votes)

    S1:E8

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Late Show with David Letterman Season 16 Episode 47 - Stephen Colbert, Kristen Stewart, Super Diamond
    7.3/10(18 votes)

    S16:E47

    Stephen Colbert and Kristen Stewart are the scheduled guests.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Late Show with David Letterman Season 19 Episode 140 - Lucy Liu; Rob Corddry; Daughter
    7.2/10(13 votes)

    S19:E140

    From "Elementary," actress Lucy Liu; actor Rob Corddry; musical guests Daughter.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Late Show with David Letterman Season 15 Episode 53 - Jessica Alba, Julie Chen, The Whigs
    7.1/10(15 votes)

    S15:E53

    Jessica Alba, Julie Chen, and The Whigs are the scheduled guests.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Late Show with David Letterman Season 10 Episode 168 - Aron Ralston, Tobey Maguire
    6.8/10(15 votes)

    S10:E168

    Dave chats with Aron Ralston, the mountain climber who had to amputate his own arm following a climbing accident.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Late Show with David Letterman Season 3 Episode 15 - Show #0454
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    S3:E15

    Eddie Jamison (the guy who said ""I Love You, Man!"" in those beer commercials) interrupts the monologue; Doc Severinsen sits in with the band; Mary Tyler Moore accuses Dave of being a brown-noser.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Late Show with David Letterman Season 18 Episode 10 - Joan Rivers, Jeff Caldwell, Wintersleep
    6.6/10(18 votes)

    S18:E10

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Late Show with David Letterman Season 1 Episode 108 - Siskel & Ebert, Daryl Hall, Muggsy Bogues
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    S1:E108

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Late Show with David Letterman Season 3 Episode 8 - Show #0447
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    S3:E8

    While promoting the movie ""Showgirls,"" star Elizabeth Berkeley gives Dave a lap dance.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Joaquin Phoenix, Bar Refaeli, Anthony Hamilton" is the best rated episode of Late Show with David Letterman. It scored 8.8/10 from 40 votes. Written and directed by Unknown, it aired on February 11, 2009.

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