From: jittlov@gumby.cs.caltech.edu (Mike Jittlov)
Subject: Why WIZARD was cross-posted to LETTERMAN
Summary: An interesting bit of historical fact
Keywords: wizard, Letterman, Jittlov, truth, justice, showbiz
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 02:02:12 GMT

Re: WIZARD's "Up-Hill Bicycling" Scene Explained!!

"Unknown" [located at UCSC, using an Apple IIGS] writes:
>Why the H*** is this crossposted to alt.fan.letterman?!?


                  The Truth May Surprise You

On April 11, 1980, I was asked by the David Letterman production
coordinators to be one of Dave's first guests, on the very first
David Letterman Show.

I visited the long and mostly-carpeted first-floor offices at
Universal Studios Building #473.  Dave even had his own office,
and greeted me with a gracious but tired smile.  He seemed a bit
frazzled, and no doubt had many things on his mind.  We went next
door, to a room with a working U-matic videodeck.  The union video
technicians were evidently at a meal-break, so we closed the door
and Dave motioned for me to just go on and operate the machine
myself.  I put on my promotional tape, with "The Wizard of Speed
and Time" original short.

As the filmworks played, Dave immediately brightened...then showed
considerable awe, and then even laughed out loud.  He no doubt
secretly praised the investigative resources of his talent scouts,
and enjoyed the thought of having this high-tech stuff on his
nationwide debut.

I was escorted to the production coordinator (Buddy M, I believe),
who wanted to "firm up the concept" for that all-important first
show.  We talked.  But soon, it was apparent that I'd to decline
the honor - for several reasons:

First - the producers wanted to air my films, complete and full-
length, without paying me.  Now, my WIZARD short had just aired on
ABC's primetime pilot, "Buckshot", for a $25,000 fee.  This new
deal hardly seemed fair.  Granted, Dave might be doing this show
for love - but these executives and these offices were obviously
costing hundreds of dollars.

Second - the producers wanted me to fly to New York - where the
show was being taped - but wouldn't even pay for my airfare, or
for my accommodations.  Possibly I "could run there, at super-
speed, like in the film?"  I found their humor unworthy.

Third - the show was on at 10am EST (or 7am PST).  No can do -
that's about the time I go to sleep.  And they weren't even going
to guarantee me free, potable coffee.

I returned to Dave's office, and shared with him my feelings.  He
looked at a wall corner, gripping and rotating his personalized
cup, and apologizing for the sorry state of talent compensation.
It was that darned network executive attitude.  Even though
talent and creativity were the show's very foundation and reason
for being, it was the suits and their suites who grabbed the cash. 
Dave just did not yet have the raw power and iron-fisted authority
that he might someday wield.  Although, in that future time, if I
was ever somehow available...

We parted on amiable grounds, and went on to our separate glories.
But we never spoke again.

Now..  Far be it for me - a mere internationally-acclaimed and
multi-award-winning filmmaker-director-writer-actor-artist with 
a million bizarre adventures - to tell a fellow NewsGroup icon
how to be a Success...but these are The Facts:

     I did not appear on David Letterman's first series.
     The series was cancelled.
     I did not appear on David Letterman's second series.
     That series is about to be cancelled.

                    ..."Coincidence"?

I've heard that Dave and his Staff read this NewsGroup.  So I
am posting an open invitation to the LNwDL Talent Coordinators:

Dave personally offered me a "window of opportunity" should I
ever reconsider the offer to be a guest.

I am now standing in that window.
The choice is yours.

"Let's talk"

________________________________________ ___._`.*.'_._ ________
 Mike Jittlov - Wizard, etc       .   . +  * .o   o.* `.`. +.  
  Hollywood, CA 90026-2714       '   *  . ' ' |\^/|  `. * .  *
jittlov@gumby.cs.caltech.edu  (: May All Your  \V/  Good Dreams
  <& alt.fan.mike-jittlov>    and Fine Wishes  /_\  Come True:)
============================================= _/ \_ ===========


Newsgroups: alt.fan.letterman