Don Giller

There's a story behind this list: 9-22-89. There had been a plane mishap. The list: Top 10 Excuses of the Flight 5050 Pilot. No known fatalities when written (later it was learned there were 2.) Music open, Dave backstage, uneasy about the list. (1)

Right before he comes onstage, he asks Steve O'Donnell to prepare a new one. Now, the list was scheduled for Act 1. So Steve creates the new list on the spot and coordinates with the chyron operator just minutes before Dave reads it on air. (2/)

Details here: https://newrepublic.com/article/121809/top-ten-facts-about-late-night-david-lettermans-top-ten-list …

Hey Don, if you're in NYC we're putting on this event in Park Slope with Jason Zinoman on Sat. 8/4: https://artery.is/showcases/secret_av_club_a_giant_letterman_talk_with_author_jason_zinoman …