October 15, 2011
I’ve always been a big fan of David Letterman. When he had his morning talk show I used to call in sick to work just to watch it, because there was nothing else like it on TV at the time. One thing I used to love (and sadly, it’s something he stopped doing) is when he’d film segments of him just fucking around on the street. I was thinking about this today and thought of one of my favorite on the street segments he did. I went to YouTube and sure as shit on a shiny shingle, there it was. And I found out that both of the places he went to are still here in New York. Even though they’ll both be closed by the time I get there, I thought it would be fun to recreate the bit on MAD. Afterwards I’ll post the original clip. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s Late NIght With MAD!
Okay, we're here on the Upper East Side and the name of this store is Just Bulbs. I'm curious as to what else they sell besides just bulbs.
Wow, that is one bright window. I just burned out half of the retina in my left eye after staring at it for seven seconds. Put on your safety glasses and let's go take a look at what they sell here.
Well, so far it appears that all they sell is...
Just bulbs.
How many Just Bulb employees does it take to change a bulb in your home or office? Call them and find out, I'd ask, but they're closed for the evening.
Hey look, is this Halloween candy? Oh, no, it's...
Just bulbs. Wouldn't you think a place that sold light bulbs would also sell shades? I guess if you want shades you need to find a store called...
Just Shades.
And they live up to their name. The front window is filled with shades.
Here's a look inside the store through the window. I thought that maybe they'd offer a variety of items, but it appears that they only sell...
Just shades.
And a glimpse of the side window confirms it. All you can get here is...
Just shades.
Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.
UPDATE: I just got an email from former Late Night writer, Merrill Markoe, I asked her if she wrote this bit and she did! I encourage all of you to buy her upcoming book, Cool, Calm and Contentious via Amazon.
Here’s the original clip from the old David Letterman show. It’s within a compilation of street scenes, look for it at 1:41 minutes into the clip.
Further reading: Biography, Just Bulbs and Just Shades.
She doesn't need you oh you sad fool,
Just turn your head and she'll be gone.
(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)
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Bonus Photo From CSP!
MAD commenter csp found this disturbing image on top of a coffee cup. He’s back and he’s caffeinated...aaaahhhh!
20 Comments
Reader Comments (20)
Ah yes, David Letterman, world's oldest MC at a college frat house hazing in his pre-cardiac case days.
I checked out 'Just Bulbs' and really liked some of those victorian style bulbs...even though they probably use a lot of juice I may just order a few 'cause they look so cool.
Marty--I also loved Dave's morning show. I was living at home and my Mom would wait til it was over to get me to do anything. I loved his on the street encounters. See you in Tompkins.
Yes, sadly Letterman doesn't take to the streets too much anymore.
@Jaws: I was amazed both stores are still open!
@Melanie: That morning show was classic, nothing else like it on TV at the time, glad you watched it also! See you tonight!
@Al: I wish he'd do more stuff like this, but I guess that's part of fame, it's harder to mix it up with every day people.
I'm still digging Dave. I think Leno's beating to death of his Jay-Walking bit has tainted on the street bits for all the other late nite guys. Sort of on topic, stock up on incandescent bulbs.
Also, I have no idea how The Sockman on St. Mark's has not only survived, but has kind of thrived. (Last I knew.)
I prefer Classic Dave to New Dave. Merrill Markoe is total top shelf talent, and add Chris Elliott you get comedy gold.
@csp: I prefer Dave over Jay for sure! And the Sockman is still there, I walked by him the other day!
@Ned: I agree, the show was never as funny after Merrill Markoe left. I'm looking forward to reading her new book!
Letterman, Bulbs, Shades, and The Knack .... what more could a girl ask for in a blog post :) Good stuff.
I loved that morning show too! Used to love Dave and his street bits but he has become a bit cranky these days. I still have a latenight sweatshirt from the old show. One of my faves was the reverse image show and the one on a jet....Good old days of comedy! How cool that Merrill Markoe responded to you! She is a great writer! Good post Pal!
have to go w/ the professor it's great that Merrill dropped in after dark,,,imho her bio was much more interestin' than dave's...personally never picked up on dave or the others that MADSTERS seem to be into...maybe i'm just slow or comin' from the sticks of PA. where even w/ an eighty foot antenna w/ a rotor we only got on a good night 4 stations and they all seem to shut down after the news but once a week one of them stations stayed "awake" and had the ernie kovacs' show and none have ever held a candle to that...
Comedy, like sodomy, is an unnatural act.
~Marty Feldman
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I'm with you Marty, Dave was ground breaking. Was in high school when he had the morning show. Stayed home when he had the wrestler Dick the Bruiser on because I grew up in Illinois and Dick ruled, unlike in real life. Know Dave was ground breaking but now he doesn't even go into the audience which is a shame.
By the way, I'm one of the guys that donated money to your old website but asked you not to mention my name because i had been shit canned from my job at the time. Took me over a year to get one. Support whole hardheartedly the current movement going on.
Thanks Marty for keeping me connected to the real world during that that time.
@wendyvee: Glad you liked it. Nothing better than Dave and the Knack for sure!
@Professor Dungpie: I was so influenced by those street bits and Merrill Markoe wrote most of them I'm sure. I was thrilled to hear from her. It's a rarity to have correspondence with someone who shaped the way you write. Too cool for school!
@rr: Nice that you brought Ernie Kovacs into the mix! Another inspiration and comedy legend. And what a great quote from another Marty! Another idol of mine! I was always thrilled we shared the same first name.
@John: I grew up in Illinois too. Thanks so much for your donation, I hope you know it means a lot to me. Glad to hear it sounds like you're back on your feet again. If you get vacation time, come on out to NYC and I'll buy you a beer. Thanks for your support, it means a lot.
There used to be a Just Bulbs store on the SE corner of 22nd St & B'way. I used to just look at the bulbs in the window, was so weird it was impressive. I liked it but don't know what happened to them. When my friend, who lived a few doors down, wasn't home I used to spend about half an hour just staring at them. A few times he was at home but I kept looking anyway. The place was neat.
@Mykola Mick Dementiuk: I think that's the spot where the Letterman bit was filmed, they've since moved to this location.
There is a store here called Just Cabinets, but they also sell furniture. It seriously irritates me.
Britta...let it out girl...just milk...just cream...just pies...just a joke...almost everythin' irritates me...but that's not really true...and that irritates me...
rr
@Britta: They should change the name to, "Just Irritating."
I was trying to come up with a joke about the Just Bulbs store, but I'm not that bright.
Hey Marty, I'm from Jersey and been back for years after my years in Illinois, which happens to be my favorite place of the places I've lived. Know I'll meet up with you if it's planned or coincidence. I read your blogs and i feel at home. Look forward to buying a round.
@John: Let me know the next time you're in the city and we'll hang out. Saturday's and Sunday's are the best. Thanks for reading and commenting! Look forward to meeting you.