Dave visits Tom: The Tomorrow Show, September 1980

As The David Letterman Show seemed to continue to gain creative steam and teeter on the brink of cancellation, Dave was featured as the lead guest on the new Tomorrow Show.  As part of Johnny Carson's new contract in 1980, the Tonight Show was cut back to 60 minutes.  NBC, not yet content to give that 30 minutes back to stations, stretched Tomorrow to 90 minutes, and added a studio audience (among other things).  This was week 2, and the early reviews from fans were not kind.  Nevertheless...

Tom welcomes everyone, acknowledges the applause, and then begins to read some of the viewer mail that has "poured in" (3 or 4 letters).  All uniformly negative.

If there was a thought that spending a few minutes seeing if the audience has any questions would break up that sentiment, he finds it's more of the same.  A man looking like a friendly serial killer asks if he misses the old format.

Tom: "I will tell you, it's uncomfortable here.  Audiences come to television shows to do 2 things: win a washing machine, or laugh uproariously, and we don't have that going on the whole time here."

After a 3rd question (making 2 of the 3 wanting a return of the old format) Tom figures it's best to move along...and maybe light up a new cigarette.

After the break, here's Dave, and the audience gives him a highly enthusiastic welcome.

Whether it's because of the new format, or the immediate audience feedback, the audience seems to be mostly made up of Dave's own staff.  Dave acknowledges this and considers this group a loyal one, and Tom states how he knew it was them: "I can tell, I see all the help wanted signs."

Since Tom brought it up, he mentions a recent New York Times story which stated that the future of his show is in jeopardy.  Could he address this issue?  Dave says that, as of a phone call with an executive today, the show has NOT been cancelled.  

This leads to a hearty round of applause, but an almost apprehensive smile by Dave at the response.  

Tom: "Probably means it's going to be picked up again."   

Dave: "I didn't say that, nor did the person I talked to say that."

After some more chat, Tom references that of the many bits Dave does in the building, one was a tour of Tom Snyder's dressing room.  In the bit, you see Tom's bartender, a piano player, singer, and tanning bed.

Even on a replay it gets laughs, but Tom wants to set the record straight of how things are at the new Tomorrow show, so they un-clip their microphones and go wandering through the 3rd floor.  Amidst the piles of studio equipment is a guy playing a grand piano.  Tom introduces him to Dave, who states the whole area reminds him of a Muncie cathouse.

The big moment: Tom's actual dressing room, which looks like the return counter at Macy's:

The above screen-grab looks like something out of underground video, yet it was broadcast coast to coast on NBC.  Wandering back, Tom invites Dave to visit anytime and take use of the facilities.  Dave, gamely going with Tom, can only thank him.  As they return to the set, Tom gives him a quick pep talk.

Tom: "In spite of all the nonsense that goes on in the background, stay with it.  Don't give up.  And stay with us in New York."

Dave: "I like being here.  Thank you very much."

They two seemed to get along well in Dave's 2nd visit to the show...if only the two of them knew how their professional lives would cross in the future...