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Ask Mr. Melman Collection on Letterman, Part 3 of 3: 1987-1992

Don Giller

56,319 views

For an explanation on the origins of "Ask Mr. Melman," see the description to Part 1, uploaded here: Ask Mr. Melman Collection on Letterman, Pa...

28. January 12, 1987. The gift: a hundred packs of gum.
29. February 4, 1987. Again, a hundred packs of gum.
30. March 16, 1987. Ask The Big Man. A Steve O'Donnell creation. Gift: a 3-liter bottle of soda.
31. April 1, 1987. Ask The Big Man. Gift: $6 and $11.
32. April 28, 1987. The Big Man in Peace Through Dramatization Players skit.
33. May 25, 1987. Ask The Big Man. Gift: A bucket of nickels.
34. July 22, 1987. Ask The Big Man. A NABET strike t-shirt.
35. September 22, 1987. Ask The Big Man and Farewell. Gifts: The Big Man body parts.
36. October 14, 1987. With an associate, "Mr. Crawford" (portrayed by Clem Rivera). Gift: a carton of frozen biscuit dough.
37. August 30, 1988. Ask the Phantom. Gift: dinner for two (worth $50) at theater-district restaurants.
38. October 18, 1988. Ask the Head of Larry "Bud" Melman. Gift: scrap lumber.
39. May 24, 1989. Gift: Florsheim Wingtip Shoes, Size 10 1/2.
40. December 19, 1989. Gift: a punchbowl of eggnog.
41. May 9, 1990. Stump "Red" Melman. Gift: a pocket comb. (Sitting in with the band is Charlie Musselwhite.)
42. August 9, 1990. Ask Larry "Bud" Hussein. Gift: a gold medal from the Goodwill Games.
43. October 10, 1990. Ask Enzo "Bud" Melman. Gift: a blonde wig.
44. March 28, 1991. Ask Larry "Bud" Schwarzkopf. Gift: bag of randomly-selected prescription eye glasses.
45. April 24, 1991. Ask Ranger Larry Bud (with Daniel Kellison and Dave Hamilton in the bear costumes). Gift: a bowl of Fig Newtons.
46. October 9, 1991. Ask Larry "Bud" Fortensky. (Sitting in with the band are Matthew Fisher [organ] and Gary Brooker [piano], both from Procol Harum.) Gift: randomly-selected high school yearbooks.
47. July 8, 1992. Ask H. "Bud" Perot. Gift: a sweet kiss or a hearty handshake from Regis Philbin.

48. Early February 1984. Calvert DeForest profile on "Entertainment Tonight."

20 Comments

@tvbarn 5 years ago

Even with that fabulous backstory, the thing I’m left with is how for more than a decade that guy was the oracle for so much incredibly well written comedy. It’s not only still hilarious, it’s textbook comedy, so clean, so tight. And it came out of THAT mouth. We’ll never see his kind again!

@jsrecords2023 6 years ago

I wish I had gone to bed before this was uploaded. Now I'll have to stay up for two hours!

@namj8145 3 years ago

Larry/Calvert was literally one in a hundred million. There's an endless number of people who'd be bad actors. His mild mannered real personality was funny as hell. But when he'd go into the written material, and he faked anger or pomposity or stupidity with that booming voice and speech impediment, he created something no other bad actor could achieve. I don't know what the hell it is, but it's endlessly fascinating, beyond hilarious, and should be treasured like a rare diamond.

@mrporter2u 3 years ago

On behalf of all of us for whom original Letterman was the benchmark of comedy, thank you for these incredible time capsules!

@timthatshim 5 years ago

The Golden Age of late night TV

@Vejur9000 5 years ago (edited)

This is comedy comfort food, during tough times

@DemosthenesQDrake 5 years ago

"Bob Rooney please give this small person six dollars in cash."

@chaave9675 5 years ago

Oh my god. Thank you for putting this up. I've been checking out all the clips you've put up but these Larry clips have me crying. I was born in 75 and my parents let me stay up as late as I ever wanted. I was raised on Dave, and so many memories of watching these with my dad. Amazing.

@1deadcanary 3 months ago

I love that this started with a dud guest that tried to sue

@DemosthenesQDrake 5 years ago

"They're laughing at me or with me. It's immaterial to me. I just like to keep them happy." Thanks so much for this, Don Giller. What a human treasure Calvert DeForest was, and remains.

@ronachten2902 6 years ago

"... we'll be right back with Tempestt Bledsoe!" No need to date stamp that one Donz.

@alisonlindholm1169 6 years ago

I appreciate the detailed description, especially that you included the gifts for each segment. Don, thank you. So many people would be missing out on Letterman without you.

@maestro-zq8gu 4 years ago (edited)

I loved how he screamed as he gave away his body parts. Such a funny episode that was.

@PlanetNFLD 6 years ago

that Entertainment Tonight segment at the end, what a nice bonus! you take good care of us Don. much appreciated.

@theoriginalmr.wonderful367 1 month ago

Thanks for making this. So many laughs. Rest in Peace Calvert Deforest. You made millions of people laugh.

@_PrimetimePranks 6 years ago

Don your station has given me many hours of laughs. Thank you again and again !!

@patcrowley6949 6 years ago

This is a dream come true! Thank you, Don!

@MarcMacNair 6 years ago

This is one of my favorite series. There is a very odd sort of mental state brought on by watching these back to back :D

@DaDitka 3 years ago

Mr. Giller,

I had a totally random memory enter my head about watching the skit featuring James Monroe and The Big Man. I remember it being so funny for a teen like myself watching it, but I never thought I would ever see it again. Then I watched your video and you had it on there!

Thank you so much for bringing me a good memory of a corny skit. I appreciate it! Take care and all my best!