THE DAVID LETTERMAN STORY: An Unauthorized Biography

by Caroline Latham ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 31, 1986

The key word here is ""unauthorized."" Only true Letterman fans will have the patience to wade through Latham's recycling of already published interviews with and articles about the late-night talk-show host. Although Latham gives credit where credit is due (most of the time), it still makes for some strangely vague reading: ""All available information suggests that Dave was about the same when he was young as he is now that he's all grown-up."" (Does Latham, obviously a big fan, realize that this is not necessarily a compliment?) The book opens with tributes to Letterman. ""Eddie Murphy says that Late Night with David Letterman is 'the hippest thing on television.'"" Latham later goes on to say that Letterman ""is rightly hailed as a creative and original force in television."" And one entire chapter is devoted to comparisons with Steven Allen, Ernie Kovacs, Johnny Carson, Garrison Keillor, Mark Twain and even Will Rogers. Latham takes great pains to explain not only Letterman's sarcastic humor but his personality. His humor may be largely adolescent, she says, but he never intends to give offense. ""Yes,"" she ends one chapter, ""let's admit it once and for all: David Letterman is a nice guy."" But not, she acknowledges, infallible. His attitude toward women is ""juvenile"" and the show itself ""conveys a certain leering attitude toward women."" Letterman himself admits that he is not a good interviewer because he can't resist the urge to capitalize on someone else's straight line. Latham also devotes a chapter to Letterman's future. Will he take over the Tonight Show from Carson? Or continue to do his own show for decades to come? Or move on to feature films? Produce a sitcom? Write columns for magazines and newspapers? Take it easy for a bit and romp with his dogs? Not worth losing sleep over, unlike its subject.

Pub Date: Jan. 31, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Franklin Watts

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1986

Categories: NONFICTION