Why Did David Letterman Censor Bill Hicks?
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Date: 2022-12-29
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Comments and reviews: 20
Andrew
Let's start with the fact that this was not the first time Dave Letterman censored Bill Hicks. His very first appearance in 1984 was edited--also hastily--because NBC (or Letterman) were worried about a bit where Hicks talked about being in school, stealing a girl's pencil, tossing it around and hitting a classmate in the eye.
Every time Bill Hicks was on Letterman's show on NBC, Hicks and Robert Morton would go over his material with a fine-toothed comb, making the sets as inoffensive as possible and, in the process, defanging much of Bill's humor. This was covered in an episode of 60 Minutes in the late 1980s, where Ed Bradley talked with HIcks and Morton about the process of going from initial rehearsal to live appearance.
When Bill was booked on Letterman in October 1993, one month after Letterman had moved to CBS and an earlier time slot, obviously the same need to clean up Bill's act was in place. But as Bill pointed out, the set was approved and re-approved by Letterman, Morton and the show's other producers. And at no time did anyone from CBS's Standards and Practices department complain about the final product. As you correctly stated, it was Dave Letterman who pulled the trigger.
Again, this is understandable when you realize that Letterman was new to the network and the earlier time slot. But--and I can't stress this enough--he knew what he was getting when he booked Bill Hicks. Bill was not Jerry Seinfeld, or John Mulvaney. He was a satirist, and a potent one, like George Carlin and Lenny Bruce before him. He was an iconoclast--no target was off-limits. In other words, to quote Super Chicken, You knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Dave.
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Let's start with the fact that this was not the first time Dave Letterman censored Bill Hicks. His very first appearance in 1984 was edited--also hastily--because NBC (or Letterman) were worried about a bit where Hicks talked about being in school, stealing a girl's pencil, tossing it around and hitting a classmate in the eye.
Every time Bill Hicks was on Letterman's show on NBC, Hicks and Robert Morton would go over his material with a fine-toothed comb, making the sets as inoffensive as possible and, in the process, defanging much of Bill's humor. This was covered in an episode of 60 Minutes in the late 1980s, where Ed Bradley talked with HIcks and Morton about the process of going from initial rehearsal to live appearance.
When Bill was booked on Letterman in October 1993, one month after Letterman had moved to CBS and an earlier time slot, obviously the same need to clean up Bill's act was in place. But as Bill pointed out, the set was approved and re-approved by Letterman, Morton and the show's other producers. And at no time did anyone from CBS's Standards and Practices department complain about the final product. As you correctly stated, it was Dave Letterman who pulled the trigger.
Again, this is understandable when you realize that Letterman was new to the network and the earlier time slot. But--and I can't stress this enough--he knew what he was getting when he booked Bill Hicks. Bill was not Jerry Seinfeld, or John Mulvaney. He was a satirist, and a potent one, like George Carlin and Lenny Bruce before him. He was an iconoclast--no target was off-limits. In other words, to quote Super Chicken, You knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Dave.
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75
Is there surviving footage of the unaired set? Or was it material he used in other specials? I remember being shocked to learn Hicks died when he did. Cable and syndicated radio were chock full of standup comedy at that time, so I listened to a lot of it, and saw some live. Hicks was never one of my favorites. I chuckled at some of it, but of all the acts my friends and I quoted at the lunch table, I don't remember his stuff coming up often. But I don't remember his stuff being especially edgy compared to others of the time either.
He seems like a tall tale figure whose legend is way greater than the reality that I remember.
Sidenote: Thinking of it, seems like a lot of standup comics I liked or at least saw a lot of died fairly young. Kinison, Jeni, Hicks, Hedberg, John Fox, Tim Wilson, Kevin Meaney, Wolfberg, Robin Harrris.
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Is there surviving footage of the unaired set? Or was it material he used in other specials? I remember being shocked to learn Hicks died when he did. Cable and syndicated radio were chock full of standup comedy at that time, so I listened to a lot of it, and saw some live. Hicks was never one of my favorites. I chuckled at some of it, but of all the acts my friends and I quoted at the lunch table, I don't remember his stuff coming up often. But I don't remember his stuff being especially edgy compared to others of the time either.
He seems like a tall tale figure whose legend is way greater than the reality that I remember.
Sidenote: Thinking of it, seems like a lot of standup comics I liked or at least saw a lot of died fairly young. Kinison, Jeni, Hicks, Hedberg, John Fox, Tim Wilson, Kevin Meaney, Wolfberg, Robin Harrris.
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Professor
Comedian dies on Valentines day. All the things that scare me about being a performer rolled into one. Damage happens fast. Wanna know how glamorous doing comedy is? You walk into the club thru the bowels of the building basement plumbing visible. They hand you a drink before your set and you hit 3-5 venues per night including driving great distances. I figured it out quickly, you may kill the audience but the scenario seemed designed to kill us funny people. I am absolutely not supposed to drink due to depression. I love comedy but I knew I would not survive a week in that lifestyle. A full troupe might be less toxic but it was worse than being a dancer. Dancers are famously crippled in old age, I didn't think I could live that long. Honestly I was a caregiver to a former ballerina with a walker.
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Comedian dies on Valentines day. All the things that scare me about being a performer rolled into one. Damage happens fast. Wanna know how glamorous doing comedy is? You walk into the club thru the bowels of the building basement plumbing visible. They hand you a drink before your set and you hit 3-5 venues per night including driving great distances. I figured it out quickly, you may kill the audience but the scenario seemed designed to kill us funny people. I am absolutely not supposed to drink due to depression. I love comedy but I knew I would not survive a week in that lifestyle. A full troupe might be less toxic but it was worse than being a dancer. Dancers are famously crippled in old age, I didn't think I could live that long. Honestly I was a caregiver to a former ballerina with a walker.
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brightlightbabe
Corporate censorship Bill Hicks line: : America Free to do what we tell you, Letterman was concerned about his demographic and his own position as back lash and Sponsors, it was not right, as it was a Late Night Audience. I stopped watching Letterman when I learned this, he lost his edge, that kind of money as contract changes anyone in show business. Letterman sold Bill out and he knew it. Bill Hicks portrayed America the way it really is. one of the best Comedians ever. Censorship continues today in mainstream media.
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Corporate censorship Bill Hicks line: : America Free to do what we tell you, Letterman was concerned about his demographic and his own position as back lash and Sponsors, it was not right, as it was a Late Night Audience. I stopped watching Letterman when I learned this, he lost his edge, that kind of money as contract changes anyone in show business. Letterman sold Bill out and he knew it. Bill Hicks portrayed America the way it really is. one of the best Comedians ever. Censorship continues today in mainstream media.
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mark
A vulgar, hate mongering jackass gets cut out of a TV appearance and so many weep. He massively insulted pro life, Christian people and the ignorant weep he was blocked. He should have known better, dying and all. I hope his last appearance went well. the one on the other side of this life. All these commedians mock and destroy all that is wholesome, cynically, visciously using the talents they were gifted with to tear asunder what is good and just, with spite and hatred to anything that is holy. No one ever needed that.
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A vulgar, hate mongering jackass gets cut out of a TV appearance and so many weep. He massively insulted pro life, Christian people and the ignorant weep he was blocked. He should have known better, dying and all. I hope his last appearance went well. the one on the other side of this life. All these commedians mock and destroy all that is wholesome, cynically, visciously using the talents they were gifted with to tear asunder what is good and just, with spite and hatred to anything that is holy. No one ever needed that.
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Jason
I know why David Letterman banned Bill Hicks. it was because of the Pro-Life bit.
You see, CBS had spent quite a lot of money bringing Dave over to their network, which meant they were accepting advertising dollars from a lot of interesting entities.
For example, the episode Bill Hicks was on had an ad from a very powerful pro-life advocacy group attached to it.
Letterman was trying to play it safe to protect his new job and advertising dollars, and Bill Hicks took the blame. What a shame.
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I know why David Letterman banned Bill Hicks. it was because of the Pro-Life bit.
You see, CBS had spent quite a lot of money bringing Dave over to their network, which meant they were accepting advertising dollars from a lot of interesting entities.
For example, the episode Bill Hicks was on had an ad from a very powerful pro-life advocacy group attached to it.
Letterman was trying to play it safe to protect his new job and advertising dollars, and Bill Hicks took the blame. What a shame.
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education
these young kids need to watch shit like this. not for education about the great bill hicks, but to see the bits about censorship. ever since media was born, censorship has been a point of topic. its worse and worse everyyear, and for everyyear that passes, you can look back at what offended you, an as the years pass, you realize how silly you were, an how the world moved on, despite your feelings. its goes on an on, but one thing is for sure, this cancel shit needs to end, and end now.
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these young kids need to watch shit like this. not for education about the great bill hicks, but to see the bits about censorship. ever since media was born, censorship has been a point of topic. its worse and worse everyyear, and for everyyear that passes, you can look back at what offended you, an as the years pass, you realize how silly you were, an how the world moved on, despite your feelings. its goes on an on, but one thing is for sure, this cancel shit needs to end, and end now.
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Richard
He is my favourite comedian ever. He worked hard but the Denis Learys (wasnt he a friend 2 Bill once. That traitor Letterman. Was it bcos Letterman was scared cos Bill was a comedian. Letterman stitched him well. He had his own show planned. Life isnt fair. We lost someone with guts who made me think. I hope u r right life is a ride & u r looking at us & laughing. I hope & pray & I aint a believer that u r right Bill RIP
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He is my favourite comedian ever. He worked hard but the Denis Learys (wasnt he a friend 2 Bill once. That traitor Letterman. Was it bcos Letterman was scared cos Bill was a comedian. Letterman stitched him well. He had his own show planned. Life isnt fair. We lost someone with guts who made me think. I hope u r right life is a ride & u r looking at us & laughing. I hope & pray & I aint a believer that u r right Bill RIP
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Noel
This the first time I've heard of this character, Hicks. Of course, I had been overseas for 20+ years by that time.
I didn't find anything funny about his so-called comedy.
Why must atheists always be so vitriolic?
I've only ever heard believers speak with sadness and even sometimes, compassion about atheists.
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This the first time I've heard of this character, Hicks. Of course, I had been overseas for 20+ years by that time.
I didn't find anything funny about his so-called comedy.
Why must atheists always be so vitriolic?
I've only ever heard believers speak with sadness and even sometimes, compassion about atheists.
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joseph
What if it would have given Leno a chance to have Cyrus and Bolton come on and win more viewership, or at least alienate country music fans who might have certain strong religious beliefs, and the network didn't want to have to deal with that? Letterman seemed sarcastic to me with what he said to hicks
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What if it would have given Leno a chance to have Cyrus and Bolton come on and win more viewership, or at least alienate country music fans who might have certain strong religious beliefs, and the network didn't want to have to deal with that? Letterman seemed sarcastic to me with what he said to hicks
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starryian007
He didnt say anything derogatory about Christianity. He merely highlighted the differences between modern perceptions of Easter and how they were originally celebrated. Nothing controversial in that at all. I often wonder how Hicks would respond to the leftist fascism going on today?
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He didnt say anything derogatory about Christianity. He merely highlighted the differences between modern perceptions of Easter and how they were originally celebrated. Nothing controversial in that at all. I often wonder how Hicks would respond to the leftist fascism going on today?
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MoonBeam
BRC had just went into the stratosphere with bootlickin boogie AND was in the works with his crotch goblins Disney deal. CBS and Disney are besties. If they didn't cancel Bill the public would've canceled the Cyrus' and rightfully so but we can't have nice things or justice in the US.
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BRC had just went into the stratosphere with bootlickin boogie AND was in the works with his crotch goblins Disney deal. CBS and Disney are besties. If they didn't cancel Bill the public would've canceled the Cyrus' and rightfully so but we can't have nice things or justice in the US.
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Christopher
I was a fan of Bill's at that time however the more mature me of today thinks the Letterman show made the right decision, Hick's set was a bit too much for a commercial television audience in 93 and he opened with an insulting joke about two current entertainers of the time.
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I was a fan of Bill's at that time however the more mature me of today thinks the Letterman show made the right decision, Hick's set was a bit too much for a commercial television audience in 93 and he opened with an insulting joke about two current entertainers of the time.
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Pete
I don't believe it, I smell a conspiracy. 12 previous. Producer pre approval, no claim here of deviation from outline.
In art jobs, they say the art work is 4 free, the money is 4 the bs. Maybe some1 CBS told Dave his salary is 4 betraying his friend & taking the blame
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I don't believe it, I smell a conspiracy. 12 previous. Producer pre approval, no claim here of deviation from outline.
In art jobs, they say the art work is 4 free, the money is 4 the bs. Maybe some1 CBS told Dave his salary is 4 betraying his friend & taking the blame
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my
i didn't like a lot of Hicks' stuff. It wasn't that funny to me. The Letterman incident was pretty laughable. I have heard a lot more cussing on national television since that time. What part of Hicks' performance was so offensive? I will have to watch the set and find out.
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i didn't like a lot of Hicks' stuff. It wasn't that funny to me. The Letterman incident was pretty laughable. I have heard a lot more cussing on national television since that time. What part of Hicks' performance was so offensive? I will have to watch the set and find out.
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Gee
Funny how were backsliding into super conservative times when it comes to censorship. They'd never air this set in 2021 if it was a current comedian, and that game show bit would get him banned from Twitter, and probably every other social media for threats of violence.
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Funny how were backsliding into super conservative times when it comes to censorship. They'd never air this set in 2021 if it was a current comedian, and that game show bit would get him banned from Twitter, and probably every other social media for threats of violence.
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Darren
I first heard Bill Hicks around 2005 on a cd my friend gave me. There are a lot of great comedians. but he is genuinely laugh out loud funny. Man, it is sad he had to leave us. but i suppose we all have to at some point. R. I. P Bill Hicks.
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I first heard Bill Hicks around 2005 on a cd my friend gave me. There are a lot of great comedians. but he is genuinely laugh out loud funny. Man, it is sad he had to leave us. but i suppose we all have to at some point. R. I. P Bill Hicks.
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kcgunesq
I was an adult during this time and I don't ever recall hearing of Hicks. Sounds to me like he was just another hack spewing the left-wing position and basing his humor off of hate. I have no doubt that he'd have his own show today.
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I was an adult during this time and I don't ever recall hearing of Hicks. Sounds to me like he was just another hack spewing the left-wing position and basing his humor off of hate. I have no doubt that he'd have his own show today.
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Al
Letterman scolded Howard Stern for coming on his show wearing an OJ Simpson mask once saying there was nothing funny about a double homicide. Later when it became ok Letterman started doing Simpson jokes. He's a true follower & coward.
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Letterman scolded Howard Stern for coming on his show wearing an OJ Simpson mask once saying there was nothing funny about a double homicide. Later when it became ok Letterman started doing Simpson jokes. He's a true follower & coward.
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Bob
99. 9999% of people would do the same thing if they thought it'd threaten their $14 million contract having the comic's material air on TV. Any of you saying otherwise are totally dishonest. and/or naive. Money talks.
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99. 9999% of people would do the same thing if they thought it'd threaten their $14 million contract having the comic's material air on TV. Any of you saying otherwise are totally dishonest. and/or naive. Money talks.
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