Late Show with David Letterman Season 12 Episode 15 Drew Barrymore, Aron Ralston
- September 10, 2004
Drew Barrymore and Aron Ralston are the guests on the 15th episode of the 12th season of Late Show with David Letterman. The episode promises to be an exciting one, featuring two very different but equally interesting guests. Drew Barrymore, known for her roles in movies such as "E.T.", "Never Been Kissed" and "50 First Dates", is a renowned actress and producer. Aron Ralston, on the other hand, is a mountain climber and adventurer who became famous after his ordeal in Utah's Blue John Canyon, where he was trapped for five days, and had to amputate his own arm to free himself.
David Letterman starts the show off with his trademark monologue, which includes his witty takes on the current events and pop culture. Once the monologue is over, he welcomes Drew Barrymore to the show. The two discuss her recent engagement to art consultant Will Kopelman, her pregnancy with their first child, and her upcoming movie "Big Miracle". Drew also talks about growing up in a Hollywood family, her struggles with addiction, and her philanthropic work. Drew's charming personality and quick wit make for an entertaining segment of the show.
After some commercials and another brief monologue, Letterman welcomes Aron Ralston to the show. Aron talks about his experience in Blue John Canyon, where he was hiking alone in 2003, when a boulder fell on his right arm and pinned it to the canyon wall. He spent five days trapped in the canyon, with little food or water, before he was forced to amputate his own arm with a dull pocketknife to free himself. Ralston talks about what drove him to take such drastic measures to save his life, and the emotional toll it took on him. He also talks about his book, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place", which was later adapted into the 2010 movie "127 Hours", directed by Danny Boyle and starring James Franco.
The conversation takes a lighter turn when Letterman asks Ralston about his climbing exploits, including summiting all 59 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks in winter, and his passion for adventure sports. Ralston even shares a funny anecdote about his encounter with a mountain lion while on a solo climb.
The last segment of the show features a musical performance by Okkervil River, an indie rock band from Austin, Texas. They play their song "The Valley", which showcases their unique sound and the lead singer's powerful vocals. The band's performance is well received by the audience, and Letterman thanks them for being on the show.
Overall, the 15th episode of the 12th season of Late Show with David Letterman is an entertaining one, with two very different but equally captivating guests. Drew Barrymore's bubbly personality is a great counterbalance to Aron Ralston's more serious tone, and the show does a good job of highlighting both their personalities and interests. The musical performance by Okkervil River is also a highlight of the show.