The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Season 18 Episode 3 David Letterman (guest host), Elke Sommer, Joseph Wambaugh

On September 28, 1979, David Letterman took a seat behind the desk of The Tonight Show to fill in as guest host. The episode featured a variety of guests, including actress Elke Sommer and author Joseph Wambaugh.

As always, Letterman brought his own brand of humor to the show, opening with a monologue that included jokes about current events and popular culture. He also engaged with the audience and band leader Doc Severinsen, often going off-script for some impromptu laughs.

Elke Sommer joined Letterman for an interview segment, discussing her recent film projects and her European background. The conversation was light and playful, with Letterman jokingly accusing Sommer of flirting with him and Sommer playfully batting away his advances.

Joseph Wambaugh, author of popular crime novels such as The New Centurions and The Choirboys, also appeared on the show. Wambaugh discussed his latest work and the inspiration behind his writing, as well as sharing stories from his time working as a Los Angeles police officer.

Throughout the episode, Letterman kept things lively and entertaining, even throwing a pie in the face of one of his crew members during a skit. The show concluded with a performance by singer Bonnie Raitt, who delivered a soulful rendition of her hit song "You're Gonna Get What's Coming."

While Carson was absent for this episode, Letterman proved to be a capable and entertaining guest host, keeping the audience engaged and laughing throughout the show. The episode is a testament to the versatility and talent of both Letterman and the team behind The Tonight Show.