I'll be there. Love Darlene Love, and Jay Thomas and the Lone Ranger story just get more endearing as the years go by.

I'm glad you posted your previous commentary, and that you reminded us to tune in tonight. I consider this a personal annual tradition.

I really wish Letterman would go back to doing his yearly anniversary special as they were terrific, and a wonderful showcase for not only singers but all kinds of oddball skits. Was it something to do with his switch from NBC to CBS that stopped those? I really can't remember now what transpired, but it was a solid gold hour of tv viewing.

So until Late Show decides to have another Anniversary Special, I'll be more than happy to share Christmas with them.

To David and all our illustrious critics, and all of the commenters on TVWW, a very Merry Christmas and a happy & health New Year.

[Thanks so much, Eileen. Right back at ya. And your "Love Darlene Love!" opening statement -- it should have been my headline. - DB]

That's a wonderful little video. And this is a great tradition that Letterman and crew have fallen into over the years. I suspect that Dave invests more in this one episode of his program than in the others they produce during the year, and it's one of the only times during the year that he lets his guard down while the tape is running.

I wasn't aware until listening to Shaffer on this video that he has a speech impediment. I always assumed that when he pronounced "s" as "sh" (ex: Paul pronounces "see and "she" similarly) it was an affectation, but now I realize that's his natural speech.

Thanks, DB, for clueing us into this tradition in one of your first blog entries back in 2007. Until reading it, I hadn't been aware this was an annual event.

[My pleasure, truly. Watching it, as well as spreading word about it. - DB]

Here is the first time Darlene sang. What a difference from now.
[At this point, Sanford forwarded a video that was so cool, I decided to share it with all of you as its own, special, Christmas blog.

Thanks, Sanford! -- DB]