For the first time in his 30+ years in TV (AFAIK), David Letterman has appeared on air with facial hair (other than a three-day stubble)! He has a full beard and mustache.
He’s back tonight after eight weeks off because of the writers’ strike. He made a separate deal with is writers so his show and Craig Ferguson’s (which he also owns) can be back.
I’m glad to have him back, but that beard is something of a shock!
Fuck. He looks like a cross between Burl Ives and Phil Jackson. That’s not a compliment, either.
Is he going for “distinguished elder statesman of late-night TV” or “old assed out of work Santa impersonator?” Because he nailed the latter.
He says he’s going to have it shaved off on-air soon.
By Johnny Depp? :eek:
Perhaps due to the new deal he struck with the writers, he’s not able to afford a razor anymore? 
Conan had a beard too. Is this some kind of solidarity thing?
They had eight weeks off and for the first time in decades a chance to grow beards. So they grew beards.
It’s a good year to grow a beard. Mine is coming in extra thick and woolly and surprising many people. My mom definitely does not approve. Reminds me of when I was a teen and grew my hair long. 
My wife is usually Ok with my winter beard. She doesn’t seem to like this one.
Jim
There recently has been a thread on the growing tendency of retailers to put items like razor blades under lock and key. So perhaps the sinister truth is: Dave and Conan have been shoplifting blades all these years; and now that they can’t . . . .
My boyfriend grew a winter beard last year and I never let him shave it off - he still has it. If we ever get married I don’t want him to shave it for the wedding, though I’m sure his mom would have a fit about it. Some people just look great in beards.
It was fun seeing Letterman whiskered up, but I missed Conan. I’m kind of sad that Craig Ferguson decided to shave for his return. In any case, it is great to have them back.
Recorded last night’s show, just watched it. Now I know what tonight’s nightmare will be about.
CREEPY.