David Letterman's Holiday Film Festival

This special came out over 20 years ago, but I still laugh when I think about it! You see, unless you are an old codger like me, you don't realize that David Letterman and his show were once funny and original--not tired and dull like its become. And, in the early days they took a lot of chances. This was a home movie special where celebrities would bring in short movies they made for the show and they'd chat. It was really cute and well worth seeing--particularly the hilarious film by Michael Keaton where he discussed how his life is going downhill and he can't find work--even losing out in an audition for a horrible ad that featured the line "...I'd bit the head off any rat to get your business!!!". In the end, he lost it to a very slimy-looking Clint Howard. You really had to see it, but I doubt if it exists anywhere. What a shame.

Four short films in this collection are really well done - and funny. First is Letterman's own short about plot-stealing on television entitled "With My Own Eyes". The second is Michael Keaton's film "But I'm Happy" about what happens to washed up actors in Hollywood. Next is Catherine O'Hara's and Andrea Martin's take on PMS...yup, that PMS. And finally, and the best of the bunch is Harry Shearer's mockumentary on the making of an "industrial". You know, an in-house video that large companies create to tell the employees about all the wonderful products they produce and how they're just one big happy family. The name of the industrial is "You Should See Our World". This one has the sharp satire that Shearer's famous for and includes "stars" Michael McKean and Christopher Guest of Spinal Tap fame. Really good stuff.

The two clunkers of the bunch are the band "video" which is amateurish and Bette Midler's "Why Bother?", which is about 3 minutes too long. Which for a five minute film is saying something.

This should be released on DVD!!!

This special is one of my very favorite memories of David Letterman, and I've been a big fan for 23+ years now. This special really needs to see the light of day on DVD. It was a wonderful show...something really unusual and experimental, but executed so flawlessly that it seemed easy. Which, if you think about it, is really what David Letterman has always done best...make it look easy.

**minor spoiler** I am mentioning this because I doubt the show will ever see the light of day again. And if it does, this would hardly detract from the overall comedy.

Prior to 9/11, Letterman's show always began with two introductory jokes. First, "From New York..." and then something about the New York being a wretched hell-hole. Second, "And now, a man who..." or some other joke about Dave himself.

For this special, the jokes were:

"From New York, where it's never a good idea to buy loose Milk Duds..."

Next,

"And now, a man who found the ending to Rocky IV a *complete* surprise...David LETTERMAN!!!"

Priceless. This special is one of the true joys of Letterman's television career. I really hope I get to see it again someday.

I wish this was out on video because it was one of the most hilarious shows ever to be broadcast. My sister and I still quote from "PMS" - the Andrea Martin/Catherine O'Hara short. The weak points are David Letterman's short and Bette Midler's "Why Bother?". Of course, even the weak points are great. The musical number in the industrial parody is also great. A musical production number about "Farm Implements!" Brilliant! The 1986 special is available but NO ONE - and I mean, NOBODY - appears to have this rare 1985 bit of brilliance. I've looked in broadcasting museum collections. I've checked message boards and collectors on Ebay. No luck. If anyone ever knows how to get a copy - please post it here!