Actor Jay Thomas Returns to Participate in the Annual LATE SHOW Holiday Quarterback Challenge, and Singer Darlene Love Marks Her 17th Year Performing Her Classic, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” on the Broadcast
The LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN celebrates the holidays with time-honored show traditions, featuring actor Jay Thomas and musician Darlene Love, on the broadcast Thursday, Dec. 23 (11:35 PM-12:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Thomas returns for another year to participate in the annual LATE SHOW holiday quarterback challenge, where he and Letterman each take turns throwing footballs at the LATE SHOW Christmas tree to try and knock off the giant meatball perched at its top. This tradition started on Dec. 30, 1998, when former New York Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde was on the broadcast. He and Letterman tried unsuccessfully to knock the meatball off the tree, so Thomas, also a guest on the show that night, came on stage, took a throw and immediately hit the meatball off the tree. Thomas will also recount his hilarious encounter with “Lone Ranger” star Clayton Moore, one of Letterman’s favorite stories that Thomas tells every year during his holiday visits.
In another LATE SHOW holiday tradition, singer Darlene Love, who was recently chosen for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s class of 2011, will perform her classic, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” for the 17th year on the broadcast, backed as always by LATE SHOW musical director Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra.
Also featured on the LATE SHOW Thursday, Dec. 23 are actress Amanda Peet, who stars in the new film, “Gulliver’s Travels,” which opens Christmas Day, and holiday greetings from members of the U.S. military stationed overseas to their families in America.
The LATE SHOW is a production of Worldwide Pants Incorporated. Barbara Gaines, Matt Roberts, Jude Brennan, Maria Pope, Eric Stangel, Justin Stangel and Rob Burnett are the executive producers.
Official CBS Web site:Â http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/