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Author Topic: Richard Simmons on David Letterman Will Kutler Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1506 From: Tucson, AZ, USA Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-30-2006 08:27 PM                     I saw the funniest thing on David Letterman last night! Richard Simmons was a guest. I don't know if it is just an act, or if Simmons is really that uptight? Letterman was a little on the rude side, kept raggin' on Simmons who seemed to be VERY serious and uptight. Anyhow, Simmons was promoting a new invention of his...a computerized food steamer. Three seperate sections that would steam 3 different foods at various times so that they would all cook simultaniously and finish at the same time. And since the 3 foods were physically seperated into seperate compartments, then the flavors from steaming would not intermix. Actually not a bad idea. Unfortunately, Letterman was kind of rude in the matter in which he introduced Simmon's product. Furthermore, Letterman's crew attached Simmon's invention to some type of sub-tray that got all tangled up when Simmon's tried to show it to the audience. Simmons had plugged it in and was doing a demo for the audience on Letterman's desk when, ZAP! The Simmons food steamer caught fire and scared the shit out of both Simmons and Letterman. And you could see that Simmons was quite pissed off by now. What was even worse was that Simmons brought some thoughtful gifts for Letterman and his new son (some hand-made t-shirts), and Letterman acted like he could care less. K  |  IP: Logged James Westbrook Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1133 From: Lubbock, Texas, Usa Registered: Mar 2006 posted 11-30-2006 08:50 PM                     Back in the 80's, when Letterman was on NBC, he had asked Cher why she refused to book an appearance on his show. "Because you are an asshole, Dave."  |  IP: Logged Charles Greenlee Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 801 From: Savannah, Ga, U.S. Registered: Jun 2006 posted 11-30-2006 08:56 PM                        Uusually it's just some friendly rivalry. Simmon's would be his normal flamin hyper nut, and Letterman would hose him down with a fire extinguisher. However, from the way you described it, this was more than just play. Odd.  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-30-2006 09:07 PM                        It's hard to tell how Letterman really feels about Richard Simmons. He always goes on at length about what a weirdo he is, how goofy he is, etc. and picks on him mercilessly -- yet Simmons keeps going back on the show. I think the bottom line is, they both know that it results in great TV comedy. Otherwise he would not be invited (or accept an invitation) back on the show. The steamer gag would never have worked (been funny that is) if Simmons had known about it beforehand. The only screwup was the bottom tray thing fell off while they were putting it on the desk. Simmons will probably sell a million steamers from that appearance, so I doubt he was all that pissed. As for Letterman's indifference about Simmons' gifts -- that's the same schtick they always do...Simmons plays hero worship, Letterman plays hard-to-get.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 11-30-2006 09:30 PM                        Simmonds is always good theatre; even though a bit smarmy. Louis  |  IP: Logged Will Kutler Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1506 From: Tucson, AZ, USA Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-30-2006 10:09 PM                     Many years ago, back in the early 1990's Richard Simmons appeared on Howard Stern's show. I cannot stand Stern, but I was at my friends place and he had Stern on the "bube-tube". Anyhow, Simmons wanted to prove that he was not a gay "mommas-boy", so he came on Stern's show with his hair combed (not in a perm) in a three piece suit with what appeared to be Penthouse Pets or Playboy Bunnies on each arm. Well, you can imagine that Stern really ripped into him and tried to get him have sex acts with these girls. Stern just kept rippin into him, and eventually Simmons was reduced to tears while sitting between these two hotties. Another time I saw Simmons on Jay Leno's Tonight Show...many years ago. Besides Simmons, another guest was a famous supermodel who had just appeared as a Playboy Centerfold. Anyhow, here is Simmons sitting next to this girl and ogling over her Playboy layout. Leno started ripping into him, saying such things as..."Richard, why are you bothering with the magazine when the real deal is sitting next to you? Haven't you ever seen a Playboy Centerfold before??" To which Simmons replied "no" and did not know how to react. So, of course Leno started ripping into him.  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-30-2006 10:35 PM                     There's a difference between good-natured banter and personal attacks. I grew up in a home where there was a lot of banter and, to a point, I think it's funny. But, when banter crosses the line to attacks, I find it very UNfunny! After seeing Richard Simmons on TV with Letterman several times over they years, I can not believe that there isn't some kind of prearranged script between them, even if it is just a simple improvisational guideline. Why would Simmons appear on Letterman's show, only to be attacked, time after time? I can't, for the life of me, understand why anybody would think that it's funny to harass Simmons like that! Sure, I think he's weird but that's no reason to attack him that way!  |  IP: Logged David Stambaugh Film God Posts: 4021 From: Eugene, Oregon Registered: Jan 2002 posted 11-30-2006 10:50 PM                        I'm pretty sure they're both on the same page as far as what occurs on the show.  |  IP: Logged Dan Lyons Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 698 From: Seal Beach, CA Registered: Sep 2002 posted 12-01-2006 01:09 AM                     Here is a little clip of the show in question. Youtube link  |  IP: Logged Hillary Charles Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 748 From: York, PA, USA Registered: Feb 2001 posted 12-01-2006 08:44 AM                     You usually know what to expect when Richard Simmons appears on Letterman, and the fact that Simmons returns time after time is a clue that there's an understanding between them. There was a classic moment when a very fey-acting Simmons is watching Letterman take a puff on his cigar, and asks, "Dave, can you teach me how to smoke a cigar?" Letterman crooks his head a little bit with the response you know is coming, "Oh Richard, I think you already know how to smoke a cigar..." Of course, Simmons reacts in drop-jaw shock.  |  IP: Logged Rick Raskin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1100 From: Manassas Virginia Registered: Jan 2003 posted 12-01-2006 03:56 PM                     Clearly rigged. Watch the flames -- the fuel source is in the tray. That's SHOW BIZ.  |  IP: Logged Floyd Justin Newton Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 559 From: Phoenix, Arizona, USA Registered: Jun 2002 posted 12-01-2006 04:31 PM                     Rick-- You hit the nail right-on-the-head... these sort of things have been planned ahead since the days of vaudeville!  |  IP: Logged Mike Heenan Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1896 From: Scottsdale, AZ, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 12-01-2006 05:59 PM                     Simmons was on Sterns show a week ago or so, they seemed to have made up as they had parted ways in the 90s sometime, I guess the last time he was on, they must have went overboard or something. He was hilarious on the old Channel 9 shows when they dangled the chicken in front of the fat chicks, great stuff.  |  IP: Logged Tim Reed Better Projection Pays Posts: 5246 From: Northampton, PA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 12-01-2006 06:49 PM                       quote: Will Kutler Letterman was a little on the rude side Not surprised. That's why I stopped watching. Haven't seen him since before he left NBC.  |  IP: Logged Mike Heenan Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1896 From: Scottsdale, AZ, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 12-01-2006 06:58 PM                     I'm glad that Conan O Brien will be taking over for Leno. On one hand you have Dave who's an asshole, and then you have Leno who's too kiss assy, COB is always entertaining.  |  IP: Logged

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