![Andy Kaufman was bumped once. Sorta. June 23, 1980; The David Letterman Show. Andy strolls onto the sunrise set with big eyes, launching into what felt like just another talk show story. But this talk show story is about sleeping on fire escapes for fun. Unusual, yet strangely believable. Then, after about a minute of ridiculous set-up, Dave cuts him off. “Perhaps Andy Kaufman will be back here tomorrow,” offers the host, straight. The next day, Andy came back.
Andy Kaufman’s June 24, 1980, appearance on The David Letterman Show is something to aspire to. A masterpiece of the form. Every person who dares to sit in a talk show seat should watch it at least once. Sticking with the previous day’s aborted homeless schtick, Andy comes out dazed. Fluid leaks from a nostril. He’s been sleeping on fire escapes, after all. A minute and thirty-two seconds go by before he attempts a full sentence. A minute and thirty-two seconds. Dave vamps, Andy squints, the audience loses it.
Bumped is about the five minute late night showcase. The opportunity for ridiculousness. The opportunity for around-the-fire storytelling. The opportunity for a glimpse. These small spotlights give famous people the chance to entertain in a unique way. Bumped hopes they take that chance.
Andy Kaufman [The David Letterman Show, 06.24.80]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/L8H9zWHTielfm6v4tBpahhvWo1_500.jpg)
Andy Kaufman was bumped once. Sorta. June 23, 1980; The David Letterman Show. Andy strolls onto the sunrise set with big eyes, launching into what felt like just another talk show story. But this talk show story is about sleeping on fire escapes for fun. Unusual, yet strangely believable. Then, after about a minute of ridiculous set-up, Dave cuts him off. “Perhaps Andy Kaufman will be back here tomorrow,” offers the host, straight. The next day, Andy came back.
Andy Kaufman’s June 24, 1980, appearance on The David Letterman Show is something to aspire to. A masterpiece of the form. Every person who dares to sit in a talk show seat should watch it at least once. Sticking with the previous day’s aborted homeless schtick, Andy comes out dazed. Fluid leaks from a nostril. He’s been sleeping on fire escapes, after all. A minute and thirty-two seconds go by before he attempts a full sentence. A minute and thirty-two seconds. Dave vamps, Andy squints, the audience loses it.
Bumped is about the five minute late night showcase. The opportunity for ridiculousness. The opportunity for around-the-fire storytelling. The opportunity for a glimpse. These small spotlights give famous people the chance to entertain in a unique way. Bumped hopes they take that chance.
Andy Kaufman [The David Letterman Show, 06.24.80]
