Paul Shaffer asks Julia Roberts a forbidden question! 

When I posted this 10 years ago, I never thought it would reach 1.2 Million views! Thumbs up if you miss Dave on TV! :)

Paul Shaffer is a great musican. The sheer volume of material he has done on the Letterman show is probably almost unequalled. As a veiwer all we hear is maybe the intro and ending but his arrangements always nail the original parts. The ultimate cover band.

This *WAS* a special moment. I remember watching this episode; it was magical. Thanks for the upload!!

The wonderful thing about it is that she never ever had to answer the question again from anybody. With one single antic, the thing was swept under the rug, and Letterman and Shaffer basically stopped all relationship questions. If an interviewer asked her about it she'd say "Did you see the Letterman show?"

That one line was better than the whole interview!

Paul is the man.. He pulled a typical musician move..lmao

Dave was truly smitten with Julia. Who wouldn’t be?

Ah the good ole' days when late night TV was worth watching and the guests had real souls.

The audience roared and Julia jumped behind Dave's back for protection, shaking a finger at Shaffer and saying (with mock seriousness), "Bad, bad Paul." Later, when Letterman mentioned Bratt by name, Roberts, speaking publicly for the first time on the subject, responded, "It's come to a kind and tenderhearted end. My only regret is that the media can't accept that it's tenderhearted and kind."

I still can’t believe how good a job Julia did subbing for Dave when he was recovering from his bypass surgery. She was unbelievably brilliant as guest host.

Julia is really fun to have as a guest! Love you, Julia!

My God, I love these people. I miss this period in time.

Hahahahaha........ Brilliant when Dave asks "so what about it?" ;)

I love this clip IMMENSELY! 😂♥️

Well, Julia...answer the question.

This was the period of the transition of Paul and David from their young selves to elderly gentlemen.

"but what about it?" lol

Best and most Honest Question ever asked on TV...

Back when late night TV ruled...

Thanks Italian show for this clip!

That audience poll forced paul's hand here. The build up obliged him to ask something unusual or funny

I bet Julias finger is longer than ET's. The way she waved that thing could fling the international space station to a different galaxy.

Letterman to Paul "What is WRONG with you!!!!" ...classic

Fantastic energy interviews love them all

Bad Paul.... Bad bad Paul,.... thanks Paul lol

"Answer the question Claire." "Just answer the question Claire. Why don't you answer the question Claire?"

one of the funniest bits in years

A women with a personality like hers can have anyone anywhere anytime.

Paul is a legend.

😍 that big signature Julia Roberts smile is priceless

I think Julia wasent expecting that question at all!

"Yeah I didn't pop out of a cake!" Lol

This makes me laugh every time I see it.

The set up to this joke is, on a previous appearance, Julia Roberts was dating a much older man, and Nobody mentioned anything about this until Paul randomly asked her his age.

I miss Dave but I miss Johnny more. Such class, such distinction.

I honestly laughed out loud that was awesome

Paul's got more balls than letterman.

Sometimes I think David and Paul are a comedy team, and it's good, but when i'm laughing the most watching Letterman it usually involves Paul

You know, I have to give credit to all three parties involved for not letting it become too awkward. Schaffer backed off and apologized, Letterman attempted to lighten the mood, and Roberts cleared the air with her unique and special smile. Why can't politicians be more like these people?

The way the dude asked it was hilarious.

Thank you :)

2:21 that smile though ^_^

I thought it was a perfectly normal and legitimate question.

1:26 Trying to give Letterman another heart attack, that minx! XD XD

The face, priceless.

Hillarious wild love her reaction.

OMFG! That was hilarious!

Dave really likes Julia --- he rarely is chivalrous with his female guests.

The question was a no-brainer.

YOU DIDN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION, BEY?

They were all really good friends, there was no offense here. You can see Julia's smile when David follows up about it. All three of these people are amazing.

Her comet was at its brightest, at that point in time.

I read Paul Shaffer's autobiography, "We'll Be Here For the Rest of Our Lives", and I think I remember him mentioning this incident.

I so miss this show. Nobody is like David letterman. I never missed a show. Paul rocks too and his band.

this would never fly now

When Paul asked Julia "Are you getting layed these days" he is asking her "Are you having sex lately" It is something that a man would not normally ask a woman, but in this case Paul wanted to surprise her with a question that she would not expect. Very funny.

My mom was a Robertson and genetically shares certain characteristics w Julia Roberts. I'm like my father so I'm nothing like Julia. My mom died very young and I always felt there were certain similarities so I just love Julia right or wrong, mostly for her laugh and her open heart. I mean she even married Lyle Lovett who was completely different to her and I do really like her in some movies. Thanks for this clip. It cheered me up after Bowies' death yesterday.💔

perfect question, he's da man

The show's actually Italian. The English is just Japanese B-movie actors dubbing.

The only time in the history of ever this will be said but Paul was a Beast!!!!!

I remember watching that show, it was great, when ever she was the guest, she was the only guest

1:02 I honestly wouldv'e asked that question too, Paul.

Hahahahahaha my dad used to hang out with Paul back when he was living in Thunder Bay lol

Hahahaha! She walked right into that one! Hahaha

Wow! It's too bad I didn't get a dish earlier than winter 2002 so I could have seen this shocking moment. Way to go, Paul!

2:14 - Dave calls Paul "Jay" as in Jay Leno. bahahahahaha FAIL!

I DID NOT see that coming….

I wouldn't mind polling her... HEY OH!

folks, that question was written by dave's staff and approved by julia's team long before she even walked into the studio. that's just how these shows are made.

2:28 'Put an apple in my mouth, just put me on a spit, roll me around...' More like a watermelon, if you want it to stick.

such a wonderful woman to allow that bit to happen hope Paul shows up somewhere soon

Great question!

I am waiting for Julia to file a lawsuit against Paul David and the Studio!

ANSWER MY QUESTION!! THE QUESTION JERK!!.....John McEnroe

Letterman actually thought he was getting tackled for real when she grabbed him from the back, hahaha!

That was like something out of Fast Times at Ridgemont High

I think the whole thing was a set-up. I think she knew in advance what he was going to ask, and they had the whole thing mapped out. Pretty entertaining. AND I don't know if she's getting any, but I'm convinced she is if she wants to be.

Paul Shaffer Thug Life

LMAO good thing he was wearing shades

Lol that was too funny!!

I thought it was going to be "how old are you" or something

Red hair don't wear pink!!!!

Paul is the best sidekick ever.

OWNED.

THEE best moment in the history of the Letterman show !! For decades, Paul Shaffer was the suck-up wimpy "yes man" sidekick to Letterman, little more than a lap dog. And then, on 7/11/2001 Paul asked this innocent question that embarrassed Dave's favorite Prima Donna Princess herself and all hell broke loose. Julia and Dave reacted as if Paul led the band in a violent gang rape of Perfect Princess Julia. How dare this lowly band leader say such words to "Her Hollywood Majesty" ? The nerve of him !! Cher was only half right when she called Letterman an asshole. She should have included Princess Julia in that description. Arrogant show biz brats !!

This clip is nothing short of epic.

You could tell she allways loved comming on that show:)

Almost seemed like she was attempting to dodge Paul's question.

I love when attractive women do that (come up behind and basically spoon me standing up) one of my favorite things in the world. God I miss having a girlfriend…

oh you canadians! 😄

Dave and Paul. Howard Stern would do the same routine with a celebrity guest, with a phone caller substituting for Paul. And then he would feign revulsion at a question, only to then say, "it's a legitimate question..."

So I went to this video to find out if the Paul Shaffer Fire Alarm from Family Guy was close. Didn't disappoint..

paul is more known for the whole musical thing, but he can definitely be funny too, as seen here. good for him, taking queen julia down a peg.

Yeah, Like that wasn't rehearsed since last week...

I,m to lazy to scroll down or to google it. Just one qestion: did the Poul get sacked after razing that qestion?

we Paul's have balls -

Paul Shaffer is a boss!

He could've asked why she broke up someone else's marriage ….

that felt like a 'yes'

Thanks Paul!