David Letterman entertained fans for years with the Late Show. However, it didn't come without controversy. According to some of his former guests, the host wasn't the nicest and most welcoming at times.
Paris Hilton got to learn all about than on live TV, while Richard Simmons revealed that he tried to create a closer bond with Letterman, but the host just wasn't having it. Among others, Oprah Winfrey is another famous name that a hard time getting along with Dave until the recent years.
A reoccurring guest on the Late Show, was none other than Bill Cosby. As of 2014, his relationship with Letterman soured, given the allegations. Letterman saw some his bizarre behavior firsthand, as Cosby had an odd request for Letterman's interns upon his arrival backstage.
Bill Cosby And His Team Canceled His 2014 Appearance On The Late Show With David Letterman As Allegations Started To Emerge
Back in mid-November of 2014, things started to sour for Bill Cosby. Barbara Bowman had made a major public statement, discussing her encounter with Cosby back in mid-'80s in New York. This was just the start of the problems for Cosby and his team, who faced a storm with multiple women coming forward.
The early result would lead to Bill and his team canceling several appearances, including his interview alongside David
Letterman on The Late Show.
Variety made the announcement writing:
"Bill Cosby has canceled an appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” scheduled for Wednesday as mainstream media outlets heighten the scrutiny of longstanding allegations of sexual assault leveled against the comedian. A rep for Cosby did not respond to a request for comment. CBS would not comment on the change in “Late Show’s” Wednesday guest lineup."
In truth, those behind the scenes on Late Show might've felt a great sense of relief. The long-time Letterman guest had a particular odd request, and one that the interns were not fond of.
Bill Cosby Requested That All Of The Late Show's Interns Gather Backstage And Watch Him Eat Curry
Bill Cosby had a specific request for the Late Show before he arrived behind the scenes. According to a source behind the scenes, Cosby would request that the interns watch him eat curry... You would think this might be because he wanted to chat, but apparently that wasn't the case either as it would be complete silence while he ate.
"He'd include as a request, before he arrived, that the young girls, interns and assistants, all had to gather around in the green room backstage and sit down and watch him eat curry," the Ny Daily News source explains. "No one would say anything, and he would sit silently eating and make us watch and want us to watch."
A truly bizarre scenario and one that those at the Late Show, Letterman included didn't like to make much of. However, given the allegations to come out in the following years, it is definitely troublesome, and not as light-hearted of a request.
Bill Cosby And David Letterman Go Way Back, Prior To Letterman Getting His Own Show
Bill Cosby's current status seems to be mixed in terms of what he's up to, with rumors suggesting that he's headed back on tour in 2023. That likely won't sit well with a lot of fans.
As for his relationship with David Letterman, it stems from even before the Late Show. When speaking to GQ, Letterman referred to Cosby as a pioneer, given his style of comedy. Letterman used Cosby's way of telling stories, instead of jokes.
"When I started in comedy, all my buddies were writing jokes, and you lived and died by the jokes. But if you're telling stories, you have a better chance of survival because of the personal connection. You're exposing yourself. I can remember Louis C.K. saying…and everybody felt this way…that the best at doing that was Bill Cosby. He would come out and spend 90 minutes just telling you stories," Letterman tells GQ.
Of course, Letterman did admit that his connection to Cosby might be tainted given all the allegations surrounding his name.
He continued with GQ, "I've known Bill Cosby since before I had my own show. He's a part of American culture. And yet I hesitated before telling that story about Louis C.K. So there's a taint there. If he's guilty of everything he's accused of, that's a ruined, broken individual."
Without a doubt, the relationship between Cosby and Letterman suffered following all the news that surfaced.