Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Richard Simmons on David Letterman

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Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 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

Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 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."

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 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.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 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.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 11-30-2006, 09:30 PM:

Simmonds is always good theatre; even though a bit smarmy. Louis

Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 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.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 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!

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 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.

Posted by Dan Lyons (Member # 1454) on 12-01-2006, 01:09 AM:

Here is a little clip of the show in question.
Youtube link

Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 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.

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 12-01-2006, 03:56 PM:

Clearly rigged. Watch the flames -- the fuel source is in the tray. That's SHOW BIZ.

Posted by Floyd Justin Newton (Member # 1316) on 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!

[Wink]

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 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.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 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.

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 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.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-01-2006, 07:32 PM:

quote: Rick Raskin
Watch the flames -- the fuel source is in the tray. That's SHOW BIZ.

OF COURSE it was rigged. But Simmons did not know about the flameup in advance, that is what made it funny.

Tim - you should watch Dave again now. He's a completely different guy than when he was on NBC. Watch him with a politician or a news person like Tom Brokaw, or with a sports figure. A serious interview is a whole nother animal compared with a comedy-centric spot like this Richard Simmons deal.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-02-2006, 08:04 AM:

Ehmmm... I might sometime. [Smile]

quote: Mike Heenan
I'm glad that Conan O Brien will be taking over for Leno.

Oh, this is news to me. When does he take it? I like Conan, too.

How long has Leno had that show now?

Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 12-02-2006, 09:20 AM:

Either it was earlier this year or late last year that Leno said he was leaving in five years, and Conan was quickly announced to replace him. I'm looking forward to the change, although I hope it doesn't do to Conan what it apprently did to Leno.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-02-2006, 12:38 PM:

2009 is when Conan takes over the Tonight Show. Leno has been the fulltime host (as opposed to guest host) since spring 1992.

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 12-02-2006, 12:54 PM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
But Simmons did not know about the flameup in advance

Somehow I find that hard to believe. C'mon, these guys are in show business. It's all an act.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-02-2006, 04:40 PM:

Here's a quote from the "Wahoo Gazette," a daily wrapup of the show written by one of the staffers. The way this is written, I think Simmons did not know in advance (but Dave did).

quote:
And Richard has become an inventor. He's come up with his new food steamer. We have one behind the desk which Richard struggles to lift. He finally gets it on the desk but the tray it was on dangles from it. Uh oh. I know this isn't good. Richard doesn't understand why that tray is even attached to his steamer. It's awkward just hanging there and finally, with Dave's help, the tray is placed under the steamer. Richard explains how it works and presses the on button. Seconds later, it begins to smoke. Richard isn't at all pleased at the joke we pulled. But the joke isn't over. The steamer suddenly explodes into a ball of fire, chasing Richard out of his chair and over to Paul. Dave got a good laugh out of that. With that, we send Richard off with hopes of seeing him again soon.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-03-2006, 02:52 PM:

Some people like Letterman, some don't. I've been a fan of his since the 80s, but then again I do seem to "get the joke" whereas other friends of mine don't get his style of humor.

As far as Richard Simmons goes, I personally think some of his behavior is just who he is, but moreso I believe it is an act.

Speaking of Richard Simmons, nothing, absolutely nothing beats this 20 minutes of television. Be prepared to laugh yourself into pain.

Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 12-03-2006, 03:17 PM:

OMG! That was awesome! [thumbsup]

I love Whose line!

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 12-03-2006, 08:47 PM:

Letterman is pretty much an asshole toward most of his so called guests. I find him amusing some of the time but just annoying mostly. O'Brien, I think is the most nearly talent free late night host ever, just a talking face. If Letterman is still on when O'brien takes the Tonight Show, NBC will finally lose its hold on the #1 late night.

Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 12-04-2006, 01:17 AM:

THat video is HALARIOUS!!

I was reading a little about Richard Simmons.

From what I read quite some time ago Letterman actually sprayed a fire extinguisher into Simmon's face, causing Simmons to have a major asthma attack.

If this is true than that Letterman is a real shit fer brains! How stupid can you get, doing something that is potentially fatal like that???

K

Posted by Anslem Rayburn (Member # 1267) on 12-04-2006, 04:17 AM:

quote: Bill Enos
Letterman is pretty much an asshole toward most of his so called guests. I find him amusing some of the time but just annoying mostly. O'Brien, I think is the most nearly talent free late night host ever, just a talking face. If Letterman is still on when O'brien takes the Tonight Show, NBC will finally lose its hold on the #1 late night.

Conan is the greatest thing to happen to late night television since Johnny Carson. He makes fun of everthing, then he makes fun of himself and his own show. His self-depricating sense of humor keeps him fresh, and David Letterman would be wise to retire before he has to go head-to-head against Conan. This guy is the man we will be laughing with/at for the next 20 years.

Letterman has never been very funny to me, he always comes across as an arrogant prick. He is always willing to laugh at others, but whenever someone laughs at him, it's a crime. Screw him.

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 12-04-2006, 04:35 AM:

quote: Will Kutler
How stupid can you get, doing something that is potentially fatal like that???

Well, the same could be said if you sprayed silly string at someone and they had an allergic reaction to it. Something that is normally so safe, and kids play with all of the time, yet I garantee that someone out there is fatally allergic to something in it. The extinguisher was a CO2 if I remember correctly. Perfectly harmless unless you get close enough to get the frost, or empty the extinguisher into sealed box with you in it, depriving you of oxygen. Or in the unforeseen chance of being asthmatic. I say that was just an honest mistake. I do enjoy most of Letterman, especially the Top 10, and the mail bag. I think the haughtieness is just his stage personality, who knows though? As long as his victims are fine with him in the end, its good. I do know Oprah doesn't like him.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-04-2006, 03:01 PM:

You must not have watched Dave in a while. They haven't done the "mailbag" in months, and Oprah was on his show not too long ago and they got along famously. He even walked her down Broadway to the theater where her show was playing, holding hands all the way.

Letterman will go head-to-head against Conan for at least one season, because he just renewed his contract through 2010. Conan takes over the Tonight Show in 2009. Personally I think Letterman will stay on the air until at least 2011, because at that point he will have put in 30 years as a late night host. That's how long Carson had the Tonight Show and he's Dave's biggest idol. To say he matched (or beat) Carson's record for longevity would be the best thing in his legacy.

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 12-05-2006, 12:00 PM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
You must not have watched Dave in a while.

I haven't been able to. One of my favorite things to do, even as an adult, is to watch his show with my grandmother. She died just a week before Thanksgiving last year. But that's not why I can't watch it, just my schedule prevents me to and I'm too lazy to set the VCR.

Posted by Mark Ogden (Member # 43) on 12-05-2006, 01:13 PM:

quote: Will Kutler
From what I read quite some time ago Letterman actually sprayed a fire extinguisher into Simmon's face, causing Simmons to have a major asthma attack.

What happened was this: Simmons was supposed to come out dressed as a turkey (it was a show just before Thanksgiving a few years back), and do some kind of shtick. When he did come out, he ran over to Dave and tried to hug him, but he grabbed him too hard and wound up wrenching Dave's neck. Letterman got pissed off and pulled the pin on the stage fire extinguisher, and chased Simmons around yelling “fuck you” (he never got him directly in his face). Finally, Simmons ran off backstage and had some kind of hissy-fit panic attack, or something. There was no asthma. Sue Humm, the show’s wardrobe woman, finally got him calmed down. He's been unwelcome over there ever since. I was surprised to hear he was on the show, I thought Dave was doing him a favor, letting him back on to plug whatever this thing was.

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 12-05-2006, 09:43 PM:

Here's the steamer clip talked about above:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SCJLlSf21Y

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 12-05-2006, 10:27 PM:

Clip was already posted on the 1st, by Dan. But I guess it's good to have it here, for late comers that only click the last pages on a thread.

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 12-05-2006, 10:31 PM:

D'oh, sorry about that... tough to remember back 3 pages. [Smile]

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 12-06-2006, 03:07 AM:

Yeah, too much LDS in the 60's back at Berkley will do that to ya. I scarecly remember what I'm currently typing, hey look at the fuzzy kitty, isn't he so....Castro is an asshole, now where was I?

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 12-06-2006, 06:51 AM:

I can't stand Simmons. His flammer caricature is offensive and WAY annoying. He's the gay equivilent of Amos n Andy. He's every negative gay stereotype. I am sure he's naturally effeminent, but I also think he exagerates and plays it for profit, which is a disservice to gays. And what's with that idotic outfit he wears? Does he really think anyone wants to see that flabby, out of shape body of his? He's gross. He's parlayed the stereotype into a career, but doesn't have the guts to say publicly that he's gay. I don't understand why gays haven't made a bigger stink about him. He's lucky that ugly hairdo of his didn't catch fire with that stunt.

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 12-06-2006, 11:57 AM:

Such negaive energies. Don't start down that dark path. You know the drill, fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-06-2006, 12:19 PM:

quote: Charles Greenlee
too much LDS in the 60's back at Berkley

What does the Mormon church have to do with any of this? [Wink]

quote: Frank Angel
He's parlayed the stereotype into a career, but doesn't have the guts to say publicly that he's gay.

Wait... you're saying Richard Simmons is gay!?! [Eek!]

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 12-06-2006, 06:13 PM:

Um, Mormons on acid, hmm. If you were on acid, would you really need multiple wives? It should keep the same old one interesting for quite a while.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-06-2006, 07:08 PM:

Mike, ya beat me to the Latter Day Saints thing! [Smile]

Posted by Greg Anderson (Member # 235) on 12-06-2006, 07:20 PM:

Too much LDS? It's a line from Star Trek IV: The One with the Whales... and the good-natured crowds in Utah loved the line.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 12-08-2006, 01:56 AM:

quote: Charles Greenlee
Such negaive energies. Don't start down that dark path. You know the drill, fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.

Excuse me, Charles, but I don't think that any of my statements are based on fear or anger or hate....of what? homosexuality? -- if you check my post in the thread "who's out at work," you would see how that contention is unlikely.

My distaste for Mr. Simmons's act is that it is an affront to gays.... a mockery, in fact, and in my mind, it is actually a back-door type of gay-bashing. His effeminate act is in such poor taste that I would think TV producers would refuse to book him, just as they would be sure to avoid putting on a minstrel act on as being offensive to blacks. Evidently presenting stereotypical gay caricatures is not yet considered offensive enough to keep them off the late night shows.

So please, don't confuse my being appalled at his ugly wardrobe and ridiculous hair-do and calculated exagerated effeminacy as fear, anger or hate -- it's just my superior sense of good taste. [Wink]

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-08-2006, 04:55 PM:

Richard Simmons is way over the top and just says goofy things in general (unless he's changed in the 5 or 6 years since I've seen him on TV). I'm not sure gay has anything to do with it, one way or the other?

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 12-09-2006, 05:56 AM:

Well, I think you would find the majority of people if asked would say they think unequivocally that Simmons is, in fact, gay as a three dollar bill -- or let's put it more delicately -- they certainly see him as VERY effeminat, which most people will automatically equate with being gay. Conversely, you certainly would be hard pressed to find anyone who thinks he's straight. So here you have the gay fool prancing round the stage like a drunken fairy who Letterman and the audience can snicker at. No one is laughing WITH this guy, they are all laughing AT him. That's as offensive to gays as Step 'n Fetchit is to blacks and for the same reasons.

And just as an aside, guaranteed, whichever network finally runs BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, they will not only cut the tent scene, but I bet they'll cut the kissing scenes too. It's still verboten to show two normal, macho-looking guys in a passionate kiss because that is very threatening and it isn't easily mocked; straights want to claim exclusivity when it comes to macho, red-blooded All-American heterosexuality....they want those qualities all to belong only in the heterosexual domain -- anything else is very threatening to many straight guys. But having Simmons running around in his tacky underwear, that's OK because it re-enforces a stereotype and more importantly it can be ridiculed, letting everyone feel superior -- it's
the thank-god-I-am-straight-and-not-gay-like-that-fairy syndrome.

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 12-09-2006, 08:53 AM:

quote: Frank Angel
and in my mind, it is actually a back-door type of gay-bashing

I thought that's what being gay was! [Big Grin]

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-09-2006, 11:41 AM:

quote: Frank Angel
they certainly see him as VERY effeminat, which most people will automatically equate with being gay.

So, the issue, then, is with how people perceive things, rather than how a particular person behaves?

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-09-2006, 12:43 PM:

Simmons is not just effeminate when he's on the Letterman show...he's also always making suggestive comments toward Dave. If he's not gay, he's sure trying to make that impression, at least that's how it looks to me. Does he represent the "typical" gay person to me, a straight person? No, I credit myself for having more brains than that.

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 12-09-2006, 02:15 PM:

quote: Greg Anderson
It's a line from Star Trek IV

Exactly

quote: Frank Angel
Excuse me, Charles, but I don't think that any of my statements are based on fear or anger or hate

It was a joke, I was being silly. Same as with the LDS thing. But if you want to dig for it, you could be afraid of the sterotyping. You'd be afraid of the further damage Simmons is doing. Etc, etc, etc, but really, just take it as a silly comment. As far as me, I don't begrudge gays. I know a few, and as long as the continue to ehxibit the polite contraint straight people do, we're cool. It only when I get unwanted attention I have a problem with it, and usually it ends with "not interested, sorry" and they get the hint and move on.

Simmons obviusly has the capacity to be very funny. Too bad he can't find a more tasteful style. I remember seeing him as a kid and wondering what is wrong with him. Unfortunatly, there is alot of tasteless comedy out there. But what can you do.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 12-09-2006, 09:37 PM:

quote: Charles Greenlee
As far as me, I don't begrudge gays. I know a few, and as long as the continue to ehxibit the polite contraint straight people do, we're cool. It only when I get unwanted attention I have a problem with it, and usually it ends with "not interested, sorry" and they get the hint and move on.

As far as [it is for] me, I don't begrudge straights. I know a few, and as long as the[y] continue to ehxibit[sp] the polite contraint[sp] [most] gay people do, we're cool. It['s] only when I get unwanted attention I have a problem with it, and usually it ends with "not interested, sorry" and they get the hint and move on.

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 12-09-2006, 10:09 PM:

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 12-09-2006, 11:42 PM:

quote: Phil Hill
As far as [it is for] me, I don't begrudge straights. I know a few, and as long as the[y] continue to ehxibit[sp] the polite contraint[sp] [most] gay people do, we're cool. It['s] only when I get unwanted attention I have a problem with it, and usually it ends with "not interested, sorry" and they get the hint and move on.

Well put Phil. I'll drink to that. [Big Grin]

This is very unsusal. I don't mind people like my friend Joe who are casual about things, but when the few bad apples try to push their cause on casual people, it makes the majority look bad. And this is what I'm thinking Frank was complaining about with Simmons. Whether he be straight, gay, other, seriously that goofy, or joking, people perceive him as being gay and seriously that fruity, and it gives gay people a less than dignified image. Persoanlly, I judge people by the way they act towards me so I could care less what their interests behind closed doors are. Which is partially why I don't take Simmons as being serious, and enjoy his silliness as an act. But then again, I'm not like everybody else. And after all, he is a celebrity, and actor. Also, it takes some guts to get up there and act like that knowing the majority of people may judge you for it. Normality is just a mass illusion, everyone has something his peers could judge him poorly by.