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The Best Episodes of Late Show with David Letterman Season 12

Every episode of Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Late Show with David Letterman Season 12!

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    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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  2. 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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  3. 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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  4. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 103 - Roseanne Barr, Rachel Weisz
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    S12:E103

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 152 - Paul Newman, Danica Patrick, Adam Savage & Jamie Hyneman
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    S12:E152

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 164 - Show #2383
    5.8/10(17 votes)

    S12:E164

    Mark Wahlberg; racing driver Juan Pablo Montoya.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 94 - Will Smith, Tom Brady
    5.6/10(19 votes)

    S12:E94

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 118 - Jessica Alba, Brian Greene, Queens of the Stone Age
    4.0/10(17 votes)

    S12:E118

    Jessica Alba plugs Sin City and performs a lasso demonstration with Dave; staffer Susan Hum is reluctant to explain string theory; Queens of the Stone Age perform ""Little Sister.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 98 - Paris Hilton, Bill Burr
    2.2/10(31 votes)

    S12:E98

    During ""Week in Review,"" Alan previews the Grammys by singing Tone Luc's ""Wild Thing;"" ten divorce attorneys present the Top Ten; Dave eats a sample of Paris Hilton's new lipstick.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 174 - Episode #12.174
    1.4/10(90 votes)

    S12:E174

    Michael Chiklis; comedian Gary Mule Deer; new summer toys with Shannon Eis.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 1 - Jon Cryer, Chris Kentis, Renee Olstead
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S12:E1

    Dave points out that CBS is airng stock footage of a guy wresting an ostrich to compete with NBC's Olympic coverage; director Chris Kentis promotes Open Water; ""Still Standing"" star Renee Olstead performs a scorching rendition of ""Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 2 - Dennis Leary, Sam Easterson
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S12:E2

    Dave has difficulty explaining to Paul what exactly animal photographer Sam Easterson does; Dave shows another out-of-focus clip from the Olympics; Denis Leary promotes the FX hit drama ""Rescue Me.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 3 - Paul Hamm, Josh Hartnett, Nick Cave
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S12:E3

    ""CBS Mailbag"" features Dave getting friendly with U.S. Olympic volleyball stars Kerri Walsh & Misty May (bogus), Alan Kalter's ""You're Busted"" at Ranch 1, and New Jersey going ""Gay Crazy;"" gold medalist Paul Hamm visits.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 4 - Natalie Coughlin, Carla Gugino, Gavin DeGraw
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S12:E4

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 5 - Maureen Dowd, Tom Ryan
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S12:E5

    A man from Pennsylvania turns himself into a human jack o'lantern on ""Audience Show & Tell;"" ten U.S. Olympians present the Top Ten; political writer Maureen Dowd makes several alarming comments on the presidential election.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 6 - Carly Patterson, Jeff Foxworthy, LL Cool J
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S12:E6

    Osama bin Laden announces that he wants to replace Craig Kilborn as host of the Late Late Show; Dave celebrates 11 years at CBS with a timeline; Biff reports from the Republican National Convention, with a goal to hug as many ""Republican Babes"" as possible.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 7 - Farrah Fawcett, The Clarks
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S12:E7

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 8 - John McCain, Tom Russell
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S12:E8

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 9 - Tim Russert, Snow Patrol
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S12:E9

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 10 - Jane Pauley, Greg Giraldo
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S12:E10

    Jane Pauley promotes her new book, talk show, and bipolar disorder.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 11 - National Hollerin' Champions, Neve Campbell, Keane
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S12:E11

    Dave brags about working on Labor Day; like it does every year, a runaway taxi ruins the staff Labor Day barbecue (and runs over Alan); three National Hollerin' Champions do their thing; Neve Campbell; Keane performs ""Somewhere Only We Know.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 12 - Regis Philbin, Hoobastank
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S12:E12

    At Hello Deli: Rupert selects a contestant to play the ""Late Show Heart Bypass Scramble;"" Regis promotes his new standards CD; Alan recaps his summer, with the usual results; Hoobastank performs ""Same Direction.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 13 - Martin Short, Alan Jackson
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S12:E13

    ""CBS Mailbag"" introduces Rupert's new ""girlfriend,"" answers the question, ""Does Dave ever sing?"" and features Alan's message to Hillary Clinton; Martin Short; ""Late Show Back to School Tips;"" Alan Jackson sings.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 14 - Ray Romano, Avril Lavigne
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S12:E14

    Biff spends the day at New York-Presbyterian Hospital with Dr. Lou Arrone; an educational segment with Alan and an animated rodent goes awry; Ray Romano talks about the final season of ""Everybody Loves Raymond;"" Avril Lavigne performs ""My Happy Ending.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 15 - Drew Barrymore, Aron Ralston
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S12:E15

    Dave and Drew Barrymore discuss their long-dormant drinking problems; amputee Aron Ralston returns to the show to promote his new book.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 12 Ratings Summary

"Peter Lassally, Doc Severinson" is the best rated episode of Late Show with David Letterman season 12. It scored 8.7/10 from 23 votes. Written and directed by Unknown, it aired on January 31, 2005. This episode is rated 0.6 points higher than the second-best, "Kevin James, Aishwarya Rai, Three Doors Down".