Television talk show host and comedian David Letterman said on Late Night with David Letterman in September 1986:
“New York now leads the world’s great cities in the number of people around whom you shouldn’t make a sudden move.”
The joke about a dangerous New York was printed in the Chicago (IL) Tribune on September 28, 1986 and has been frequently cited. Letterman’s quote has been printed on several images.
Wikipedia: David Letterman
David Michael Letterman (born April 12, 1947) is an American former television host, comedian, writer, and producer. He hosted a late night television talk show for 33 years, beginning with the February 1, 1982 debut of Late Night with David Letterman on NBC, and ending with the May 20, 2015 broadcast of Late Show with David Letterman on CBS. In total, Letterman hosted 6,028 episodes of Late Night and Late Show, surpassing friend and mentor Johnny Carson as the longest-serving late night talk show host in American television history. In 1996 Letterman was ranked 45th on TV Guide‘s 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.
28 September 1986, Chicago (IL) Tribune, “Replays,” Magazine, pg. 6, col. 1:
“New York now leads the world’s great cities in the number of people around whom you shouldn’t make a sudden move.”
David Letterman
Google Books
1,911 Best Things Anybody Ever Said
Selected and Compiled by Robert Byrne
New York, NY: Fawcett Books
1988
Pg. 197:
316
New York now leads the world’s great cities in the number of people around whom you shouldn’t make a sudden move.
David Letterman
Google Books
The 2,320 Funniest Quotes:
The Most Hilarious Quips and One-Liners from AllGreatQUotes.com
Edited by Tom Corr
Berkeley, CA: Ulysses Press
2011
Pg. 294:
New York now leads the world’s great cities in the number of people around whom you shouldn’t make a sudden move.
—David Letterman
Google Books
The Little Red Book of New York Wisdom
By Ed Koch, with Gregg Stebben and Jason Katzman
New York, NY: SKyhorse Publishing
2011
Pg. *:
New York now leads the world’s great cities in the number of people around whom you shouldn’t make a sudden move.
DAVID LETTERMAN
Twitter
Raspberry Arduino
@RaspiArduino
New York now leads the world’s great cities in the number of people around
whom you shouldn’t make a sudden move.
—David Letterman
2:41 PM - 16 Mar 2017
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
Recent entries:
•“I read old books because I would rather learn from those who built civilization than those who tore it down” (4/18)
•“I study old buildings because I would rather learn from those who built civilization than those who tore it down” (4/18)
•“Due to personal reasons, I’m still going to be fluffy this summer” (4/18)
•“Do not honk at me. My life is worthless. I will kill us both” (bumper sticker) (4/18)
•Entry in progress—BP16 (4/18)
More new entries...
Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
This site is edited by Barry Popik. These are the Cookies and Privacy Policies.