# What time does Letterman tape?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-does-letterman-tape/468278>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 16, 2008, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-does-letterman-tape/468278 "2008-10-16T22:02:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-does-letterman-tape/468278/1 "2008-10-16T22:02:26Z")

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This story is in Yahoo news. Obviously Letterman is not live, but I think the following quote sounds weird, since it’s not Thursday night, yet. Why didn’t they say “today” or “this afternoon?” Can’t wait to watch, by the way!

“John McCain appeared on CBS’ “Late Show with David Letterman” Thursday night, telling the host “I screwed up” by canceling an earlier appearance on the show.”

[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081016/ap\_en\_tv/mccain\_letterman;\_ylt=AoFBSXH3Ay\_Tm\_.u6I9IDdfK.nQA](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081016/ap_en_tv/mccain_letterman;_ylt=AoFBSXH3Ay_Tm_.u6I9IDdfK.nQA)

So, what time is the show taped?

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**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-does-letterman-tape/468278/2 "2008-10-16T22:06:03Z")

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Last night he happened to mention that they tape at 5:30. Apparently McCain had asked him to move it up to 5:00.

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**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-time-does-letterman-tape/468278/3 "2008-10-16T22:59:22Z")

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It’s been a few years, but I attended a live taping and it started at 5:00 PM.