Iowa Almanac
Iowa Almanac -- Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Letterman comes to Iowa, more from the Iowa Almanac in a moment. The year was 1972, gas costs 36 cents a gallon, a postage stamp was 8 cents, Bob Ray was Iowa's governor, and Camp Courageous was founded. For a half-century Camp Courageous near Monticello, Iowa has served individuals with special needs, and it does it without government support. Learn more by going to campcourageous.org. This message paid for by the Friends of Camp Courageous. In May of 2015, David Letterman ended his record setting 33 years hosting late night TV shows. Many forget, though, that his first TV show was on at a very different time and had a different sound. The David Letterman show aired at 9 in the morning, Iowa time for a four-month period in the summer and fall of 1980. It wound up winning an Emmy, but it was a little too unique for an audience used to game shows and soap operas, as opposed to a comedian with quirky humor. As an example, the show sponsored an essay contest, where viewers told why Letterman and his New York-based crew should tape an episode at their house. Jane Goldsworthy of Cresco, Iowa submitted a 100-word essay, and before long, she found out she had won. And that was how Howard and Jane Goldsworthy became national TV stars for a day on October 22, 1980. The Letterman program that day included taped man on the street segments from downtown Cresco, stupid pet tricks, and guest Chloris Leachman, herself and Iowa native. The show almost did not make it on the air. It was taped in the late summer, and then the show was canceled. But before the last daytime Letterman program on October 24, the producers made sure the Iowa episode aired on this date in 1980. And that's Iowa Almanac for October 22. Follow us on Twitter @IowaAlmanac. Until tomorrow, I'm Jeff Stein.