The Letterman Podcast

• 181 J Ryan Returns And He's Selling Batmobiles?!

  Episode 181 – The Return of J RyanThis week marks the return of our very first friend of the show — J Ryan.Before The Letterman Podcast even launched, J was part of the foundation, helping set the tone for what this show would eventually become.In this episode, Mike and J reconnect after both navigating some major challenges over the past year. Their conversation covers everything from personal growth and resilience to the exciting creative projects now lighting up J’s world — including his return to hosting Late Night Playset and co-hosting the sensational new podcast “A Blockbuster Year: 1985”, a nostalgic deep dive into one of cinema’s greatest eras. Oh, and yes — he’s also selling Batmobiles.Naturally, the discussion turns toward the state of Late Night itself — and, of course, to Mark Malkoff’s much-anticipated upcoming book Love, Johnny Carson.Swing by Hello-Deli.com — the one and only spot to snag official Late Show with David Letterman merchandise, courtesy of the incomparable Rupert Jee.And if this conversation brings you even a sliver of joy, please like, share, subscribe, and leave a positive comment — we promise it helps more than you know (and it feeds our fragile podcast egos).

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• 180 Our Tribute To Longtime Staffer And Our Good Friend Arthur Kelly

  Episode 180 – A Tribute to Arthur KellyEpisode 180 of The Letterman Podcast is a heartfelt tribute to our dear friend Arthur Kelly, who passed away around the Fourth of July.For 15 years, Arthur was the receptionist on the 12th floor of the Ed Sullivan Theater office building — Dave’s floor. His job was to be the gatekeeper: ensuring the right people and calls got through, while keeping the chaos of show business at bay so the brain trust could focus on making television magic.A few years into his tenure, something strange and wonderful happened — Arthur became an on-air personality. In a recurring segment dubbed “Coach’s Corner,” he portrayed a hilariously unhinged version of football Hall of Famer Mike Singletary, barking out locker-room-style motivation that instantly became a fan favorite.Arthur was also one of the first staff members to befriend Mike, and he holds a special place in the history of The Letterman Podcast. In this emotional conversation, Mike sits down with Arthur’s brother, Andre, as the two reminisce, share heartfelt stories, and reflect on the kindness, humor, and heart that Arthur brought into every room he entered.On behalf of everyone who considers themselves an enthusiast of the broadcasts released by David Letterman and Company, we extend our deepest condolences to Arthur’s family, and to his Late Show family, whom he cared for so deeply.We would also like to thank Worldwide Pants for allowing us to include a few classic clips of Arthur from Late Show with David Letterman in this tribute.Stop by Hello-Deli.com — the only place to find official Late Show merchandise, brought to you by the legendary Rupert Jee.And while you’re at it, give this episode a like, share it with a fellow fan, subscribe to the show, and leave a kind word or two — we’ll take all the positive reinforcement we can get.

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• Andrea Engelsberg Ordered Lunch From The Soup Nazi For The Letterman Writers, And It Was Awesome

  Episode 179 of The Letterman Podcast features Andrea Engelsberg — a former Late Show with David Letterman intern who had a front-row seat to the magic during one of the show’s hottest eras.In what feels like a nostalgic sugar rush, Mike and Andrea (who snack on candy throughout the episode) dive into her journey as a dual U.S./Canadian citizen who landed the coveted internship during the “last hurrah” of an era where most of the Late Night staffers who had made the jump to Late Show were still on board. Andrea soaked in every incredible moment from the inside.From hilarious tales of her chaotic New York living situation to legendary behind-the-scenes memories, Andrea shares it all — including the time she braved the line at the Soup Nazi to grab lunch for the entire Late Show writing team. And then there’s the unforgettable story of how a sprinting David Letterman, in his pre-show adrenaline ritual, collided with Andrea in the hallway… resulting in a brand-new staff rule.It’s a joyfully unfiltered, candy-coated romp through one of the most exciting chapters in late night history — all from someone who was lucky enough to live it.Then: • A sweet shoutout to our only sponsor, Hello-Deli.com — still the only place on the planet (and the web) to grab official Late Show merch from Rupert Jee, Letterman’s favorite deli man. • Followed by our traditional plea to like, share, subscribe, and leave a glowing comment… or even a lukewarm one (we’ll take it — it still helps with the algorithm).

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• 178 Kimmel Taken Off The Air And Johnny Mac And Mike Are Mad As Hell

  In this special emergency crossover, Johnny Mac (Daily Comedy News) and Mike fire up the mics to tackle the growing storm surrounding Jimmy Kimmel’s indefinite suspension from ABC. With conflicting headlines, regulatory noise, and media blowback in every direction, it felt like the right time to take a step back and look at what’s really going on here.Johnny brings a sharp, informed perspective on the FCC’s involvement, and together, he and Mike unpack the broader implications this moment has for the late-night genre. From the evolving role of hosts to the tension between punchlines and political pressure, it’s a conversation about where the line is — and whether it’s moving.They also talk about legacy, precedent, and how moments like this could shape the future of late-night television, for better or worse.⸻🛍 This episode is proudly sponsored by Hello-Deli.com — home to the finest official Late Show with David Letterman gear, served up by the legendary Rupert Jee himself. Buy something or risk disappointing Dave.💬 If you enjoy this chat (or even mildly tolerate it), please like, share, subscribe, and leave a comment. We frame the good ones. We also frame the bad ones — but we hang them in the bathroom.

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• 177 Mark Malkoff Loves Johnny Carson, So Did Everyone Else, So He Wrote A Book About It

  Episode 177 – Friends of the Show with a Surprise Visit from Mark Malkoff!In this fun-filled “Friends of the Show” edition of The Letterman Podcast, Mike is joined by returning favorites Darin Cox, Allison Lips, and Adam Unger—but this roundtable takes an exciting turn when a very special surprise guest drops in: the mighty Mark Malkoff!Mark—host of The Carson Podcast, celebrated stand-up, and author of the upcoming book Love Johnny Carson (coming October 2025)—joins the conversation and brings his signature insight and passion for all things late night. The panel dives into Mark’s latest work and the legacy of Johnny Carson, while also exploring the ever-evolving landscape of late night TV.Inspired by a recent LateNighter.com article discussing dream guests for My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, the group shares their own ideal picks and discusses the cultural footprint of Dave’s Netflix series.As always:•our only sponsor, Hello-Deli.com — the only place to get official Late Show with David Letterman merchandise, courtesy of the one and only Rupert Jee. Seriously, it’s all we’ve got!Please like, share, subscribe, and leave a glowing comment… or a mediocre one. (We’ll still print it and hang it on the fridge.)

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