Bill Murry, during his interview as the first guest of the David Letterman Show 1983

When Bill Murray appeared as the first guest on the *Late Night with David Letterman* show in 1982 (not 1983), it became a historic and famously wild moment in late-night television. The interview is still often talked about for its quirky and unconventional energy, as well as Bill Murray’s unpredictable and irreverent sense of humor.

### The Context

David Letterman’s *Late Night* show had just premiered in February of 1982, and they were looking for a big name to kick off the guest list. Bill Murray was a natural choice, as he was a beloved comedian fresh off the success of films like *Stripes* and *Caddyshack*. However, Murray, known for his offbeat and unpredictable personality, had a different plan for his appearance.

### The Interview and Its Unconventional Moments

1. **Bill Murray's Absurdity**: From the moment he walked onstage, Murray set the tone for the interview. He was visibly playing with the format and expectations, turning the typical late-night talk show dynamic on its head. Instead of the usual promotion of his projects, he kept making jokes and references that were nonsensical or completely off-script.

2. **Physical Comedy**: Murray’s physicality became a big part of the interview. At one point, he pretended to not understand basic questions, playing dumb and showing no interest in answering anything directly. He also made bizarre faces and exaggerated gestures, showcasing his slapstick background.

3. **Audience Interaction**: The interaction with the audience was another key element. Murray began treating the audience as part of the joke, often talking directly to them or acting as though the show was happening entirely for their amusement, regardless of what Letterman was doing.

4. **Unexpected Tangents**: In one famous moment, Bill Murray went on a surreal tangent about his supposed “discovery” of a bigfoot-like creature named “The Sasquatch” and talked about plans to "unveil it" to the public. He had also made strange, offhand comments about what it was like to appear on the show, mixing absurdity with layers of deadpan humor.

5. **Letterman’s Reaction**: Throughout all of this, David Letterman seemed amused but slightly bewildered. It was clear that he wasn’t sure what was going to happen next, but he was rolling with it, which added to the fun. The weirdness of the moment was balanced by Letterman’s professional coolness, which allowed the unpredictability to shine.

6. **The Legendary Moment - The Scavenger Hunt**: One of the most iconic moments came when Murray, without warning, launched into a bizarre "scavenger hunt" in the middle of the interview. He asked Letterman to go along with him to search for something in the studio. This chaotic moment had no real point but helped set the tone for Murray’s unpredictable comedic style.

### Impact and Legacy

The interview set a precedent for Bill Murray’s appearances on talk shows. He quickly became known for being a guest who wouldn’t just plug his latest project but would turn every appearance into a bit of performance art—often leaving hosts and audiences stunned but entertained.

Murray’s appearance on *Late Night with David Letterman* became a moment of late-night TV legend, showcasing the dynamic between a host and guest who were both playing roles—Letterman as the traditional talk show host and Murray as the wild card guest. Their chemistry was key, and it reflected Murray's eccentric brand of humor, which was still fresh and exciting at the time.

In essence, the interview showed that Murray was not only a great comedian but also an artist who loved to push boundaries and subvert expectations. His appearance helped define *Late Night with David Letterman* as a show that allowed more room for chaos, absurdity, and surprise.