MovieChat Forums > Late Show with David Letterman (1993) Discussion > Alan Kalter Appreciation Post

Alan Kalter Appreciation Post

posted 8 years ago by A_Melmoth
9 replies | jump to latest

Wasn't Alan great? Who misses Alan?

I enjoy Colbert's iteration of the Late Show, but it's missing the presence of an eccentric, slightly unhinged, announcer character.

One of my favorite Kalter skits came months before the show's final episode, with Kalter answering "Dear Abby" style letters. Doesn't appear like anyone put it on YouTube (aww), but here's a transcript from a cached version of the now-taken-down Wahoo Gazette newsletter:

6/6/14

ACT 4:

Dave introduces another new segment he doesn't remember approving, "Not My Problem, with Alan Kalter."
ALAN: "Thanks, duckface. Tonight's letter comes from a viewer named Josh Fredman in Chicago, Illinois."
Alan opens and reads from a letter.
ALAN: "He writes, 'Dear Alan, I'm writing in hopes that you can help me with an issue that threatens to derail my marriage. Recently, I've come to the conclusion that my wife and I have very little in common. We speak less and less each day, and sometimes I feel like I'm sharing my life with a complete stranger. I hope you can help. Sincerely, Josh.'
Josh, if you're watching, here's my take on your situation . . . . 'It's Not My Problem.'"
Freeze
ANNOUNCE: "If you're having some trouble and think Alan could help, send your letter to:
Not My Problem with Alan Kalter.
c/o Kalter World Productions
1697 Broadway
New York, New York 10019"
Dave is concerned about Alan's sociopathic tendencies.

Anyone else miss Big Red?

[–] haynese_98 7 years ago

Alan definitely added a lot to the show and I'm sure a lot of people miss him terribly.

Shall we play a game?

[–] Maniac_In_Black 7 years ago

Yes of course. A legend from a legendary Late Night show that, by the way, should be rated higher than a 6.9.................

[–] tinkerbell_jonna 7 years ago

The interesting thing about Alan was, he was ALWAYS in character. In that he was always playing a sociopathic character. The other ones like Paul, Biff, etc.. were just THEMSELVES many times, but I don't recall Alan ever just being himself and having a conversation with Dave.

[–] A_Melmoth 7 years ago

Yes! He must have had great deal of fun on that show.

Fun fact, Kalter killed Don Knotts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLJj2TJ3w6A

What are we going to do about it? haha.

[–] tinkerbell_jonna 7 years ago

Yes, Alan was one thing about the show that I always looked forward to, BUT I wish just once we got to see the REAL Alan Kalter, not playing his character. I'd like to have seen him just once carry on a conversation. I wish Dave had interviewed him maybe like toward the finale.

I DID get to see on Youtube, Alan and his wife attended some sort of fund raiser and someone interviewed him briefly and he was just HIMSELF and was super nice.

[–] A_Melmoth 7 years ago

Here is an interview with a friendly, out-of-sociopathic-character, everyday Alan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KfM1aCYtIA

[–] tinkerbell_jonna 7 years ago

Thanks so much!! I had not seen that! He's so classy, professional and nice!

[–] tinkerbell_jonna 7 years ago

[–] moist888 7 years ago

Alan was awful. The original announcer from the NBC years (Bill Wendell) was much better.