TalkComedyCBS

The Worst Episodes of Late Show with David Letterman

Every episode of Late Show with David Letterman ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Late Show with David Letterman!

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

Seasons22

All12345678910111213141516171819202122

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Late Show with David Letterman Season 17 Episode 110 - Greg Kinnear, Lacey Brown, Michael Buble, Harry Smith
    1.7/10(17 votes)

    S17:E110

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Late Show with David Letterman Season 18 Episode 83 - Kyle Chandler, Kathy Griffin, Sheila E.
    3.0/10(15 votes)

    S18:E83

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Late Show with David Letterman Season 4 Episode 171 - Matt Lauer, Ruthie Bolton-Holifield, Mighty Mighty Bosstones
    4.8/10(16 votes)

    S4:E171

    Dave gives an audience woman a ham just for being Polish; several members of the cast of Cats go inside FlashDancers; Alan Kalter promotes ""Late Show: The Game""; The Mighty Mighty Bosstones perform ""The Impression That I Get.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Late Show with David Letterman

    READ
  7. Late Show with David Letterman Season 14 Episode 7 - Ashton Kutcher, Sam Hornish, Jr., TV on the Radio
    5.0/10(21 votes)

    S14:E7

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Late Show with David Letterman Season 1 Episode 2 - Robin Williams, John Mellencamp, Jonathan Estrata
    5.3/10(24 votes)

    S1:E2

    Dave's worst moment on last night's debut: his fake tooth fell out (the video is repeated several times in slow motion); a four-year-old geography expert and cheese lover names states on a U.S. map.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Late Show with David Letterman Season 19 Episode 92 - Emma Stone, Jimmie Walker, Diamond Rugs
    5.0/10(14 votes)

    S19:E92

    Dave welcomes actress Emma Stone, comedian Jimmie Walker, and musical guests Diamond Rugs. Top Ten Things You May Not Know About The United States Supreme Court. Alan Kalter tests Bill's knowledge of the 70's Oakland Athletics. After traveling the globe, Emma discovers the one thing that everybody in the world can agree on.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Late Show with David Letterman Season 14 Episode 9 - Anne Heche, Luke Ravenstahl, The Who
    5.2/10(16 votes)

    S14:E9

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Late Show with David Letterman Season 15 Episode 62 - Colin Farrell, Blake Lively, Lenny Kravitz
    5.5/10(24 votes)

    S15:E62

    "Late Show Fun Facts" is interrupted by a ticket scalper (Mike McIntee); Colin Farrell plugs In Bruges and gives Dave a fedora; Lenny Kravitz performed "Bring It On."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Late Show with David Letterman Season 2 Episode 138 - Show #0357
    4.0/10(3 votes)

    S2:E138

    Mayor Guiliani and Dave agree to disagree on the new slogan for the New York Tourism Board; Drew Barrymore gives Dave a birthday surprise.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Late Show with David Letterman Season 16 Episode 1 - Nicolas Cage, Anna Torv, Terrence Howard
    5.8/10(17 votes)

    S16:E1

    Nicolas Cage, Anna Torv, and Terrence Howard are the scheduled guests.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Late Show with David Letterman Season 4 Episode 62 - Kenneth Branaugh, Bonnie Hunt, Counting Crows
    5.8/10(16 votes)

    S4:E62

    Dave calls the corner pay phones, but no one answers. He finally steps outside and tells anyone to pick up the phone. After some guy named Phil answers it, Dave has to scream at him to come inside.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Late Show with David Letterman Season 15 Episode 36 - Bill Maher, Ellen Page, the cast of Broadway's "Young Frankenstein"
    6.0/10(21 votes)

    S15:E36

    Dave's beard gets a key to the city, courtesy of Mayor Bloomberg; a wayward WGA picketer wanders around in the backdrop; Hal Gurnee's latest Network Time Killer is a "balloon drummer"; Ellen Page plugs Juno; Roger Bart, Sutton Foster, and Chris Fitzgerald perform a song from the musical "Young Frankenstein."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Late Show with David Letterman Season 17 Episode 52 - Natalie Portman, Adam Lambert
    5.5/10(2 votes)

    S17:E52

    Thanksgiving episode with Dave's Mom. Natalie Portman and Adam Lambert are the scheduled guests, and Dave guesses the pie that Dave's Mom made.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Late Show with David Letterman Season 15 Episode 85 - Brooke Shields, Seth Meyers, Gutter Twins
    6.2/10(50 votes)

    S15:E85

    Cameraman Dave Dorsett is caught drinking on the job; the cast of "Battlestar Galactica" reads the Top Ten; Dave and Brooke Shields discuss foot surgery; Alan recalls an unpleasant Final Four memory; SNL's Seth Meyers explains why he doesn't have a valid driver's license; The Gutter Twins perform "Idle Hands."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Late Show with David Letterman Season 17 Episode 183 - Brian Williams, Big Boi
    6.2/10(26 votes)

    S17:E183

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Late Show with David Letterman Season 9 Episode 205 - Chris Elliot, Eliza Dushku, Dixie Chicks
    6.2/10(21 votes)

    S9:E205

    Dave announces that tomorrow night Paul will be inducted into the National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame. Later, Chris Elliott and Dave reminiscense.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Late Show with David Letterman Season 17 Episode 13 - Craig Ferguson, Kristin Chenoweth, and Snow Patrol
    6.2/10(16 votes)

    S17:E13

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Late Show with David Letterman Season 1 Episode 3 - Demi Moore, Bev Tanner, Spin Doctors
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    S1:E3

    A very pregnant Demi Moore is given the honor of throwing the first pencil through the backdrop windows of the Late Show.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Late Show with David Letterman Season 5 Episode 123 - Tom Hanks, Matt Medenweldt, Scott Weiland
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    S5:E123

    Tom Hanks interrupts the monologue because he and Dave are dressed alike; throughout the night, spelling bee champ Edmund Gillette stands next to Rob's desk and spells words; during Mailbag, Alan Kalter reacts badly to a letter asking if he's a freak by visiting the letter-writer (Jay Johnson) and punching in his face; Tom gets a new suit.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Late Show with David Letterman Season 7 Episode 43 - Natalie Portman, Travis Pastrana, Ted Alexandro
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    S7:E43

    Dave shows a tape of stunt biker/scheduled guest Travis Pastrana's mishap that afternoon, and the injured daredevil later hobbles onstage. By the end of the show, the Hi-Ho Girls are helping Travis repair his bike.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Episode #12.174" is the worst rated episode of Late Show with David Letterman. It scored 1.4/10 from 90 votes. Written and directed by Unknown, it aired on July 1, 2005. This episode scored 0.8 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Paris Hilton, Bill Burr".

Keep going

Browse Late Show with David Letterman by season

If you like Late Show with David Letterman