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Alan Kalter, David Letterman’s ‘Late Show’ Announcer, Dies at 78

Sad loss for sure. Letterman had 2 announcers during his Late Night and Late Show career from what I recall; Bill Wendell was with him at NBC and moved with Letterman to CBS, then became pretty jaded according to an interview of him on Youtube as the circumstances for him changed once the show switched networks, with Wendell finding himself distanced from Letterman at that point and felt he had to go through Dave's "handlers" at the new show. Once Wendell departed, he was replaced by Alan Kalter a few weeks later and Kalter stayed with Letterman for the last 20 years of the show. Compared to many "announcers" who don't actually join the host on the couch at any time during the show, Kalter got a fair amount of screen time and took part in a number of sketches as well. RIP!
 
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Mikey Radio said:
Sad loss for sure. Letterman had 2 announcers during his Late Night and Late Show career from what I recall; Bill Wendell was with him at NBC and moved with Letterman to CBS, then became pretty jaded according to an interview of him on Youtube as the circumstances for him changed once the show switched networks, with Wendell finding himself distanced from Letterman at that point and felt he had to go through Dave's "handlers" at the new show. Once Wendell departed, he was replaced by Alan Kalter a few weeks later and Kalter stayed with Letterman for the last 20 years of the show. Compared to many "announcers" who don't actually join the host on the couch at any time during the show, Kalter got a fair amount of screen time and took part in a number of sketches as well. RIP!
Click to expand...
Was Wendell a contract announcer at NBC.
 
I'll always remember his booming voice on Letterman, opening the show. That along with Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra doing the theme song was the perfect way to kick off the show.
RIP Alan, and condolences to Paul, David, and everyone else that was involved with his show.
 
This is an interesting listen (with former Late show Executive Producer Bob Morton) about Bill Wendell's departure for stealing bottled water from the show. It's at the one hour, fourteen minute, fifty-seven second mark (1:14:57).
 
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