Letterman chats with local journal

Brian Schott and his team of associate editors have churned out 18 editions of the Whitefish Review literary journal since it debuted nine years ago. It’s been an exhausting endeavor of love, often with little financial gain. 

Yet, every issue has a moment that simply re-energizes and inspires the staff to keep going.

For their 18th issue, that moment came just before Thanksgiving when the Review landed an interview with late-night talk show legend David Letterman. The transcript of that hour-long conversation highlights the newest issue “Growing Up and Getting Older,” which hits shelves later this month.

Letterman’s career spanned 33 years before he retired earlier this year. He owns a ranch near Choteau and splits time between Montana and New York City.

Writer Jeff Giles, who previously lived in New York City but now calls Whitefish home and edits for the Review, arranged the interview through his friend, Tom Keaney, Letterman’s publicist.

“[Letterman] owns a place in Montana and had just retired — it seemed to fit with our theme of getting older,” Schott said of asking Letterman for the interview. “He said he’d be happy to do it.”

Admittedly, Schott was nervous going into the interview.

“Here I am getting ready to interview one of the best interviewers in the world,” Schott said.

But, “after a good breakfast, a long walk, some quiet breathing, and a pep talk from my wife, I was able to calm my nerves and have a candid, wide-ranging conversation with Letterman on the telephone from his home in New York.”

The two talked casually about Montana, the TV industry, and the balance of family and work.

“What was really cool is that he immediately made me feel comfortable,” Schott said. “Asking me personal questions. Like I was in the seat across from him. It is an experience I will never forget.”

A key point of insight Schott garnered from the conversation is that Letterman’s retirement was based mostly in his desire to spend more time with family and his son.

“It was gratifying to me to talk to someone of his stature, but also realize he’s a regular guy just trying to do good things and be a good dad.”

Schott said he was most surprised at how familiar Letterman is with Whitefish and skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort. In the interview he talks about the first time he saw the view of Glacier National Park from the summit of Big Mountain.

“That was fun to have that connection,” Schott said.

This isn’t the first time the Review has scored a big interview — a previous issue featured a conversation with news anchor Tom Brokaw, who also has connections with Montana.

“In our nine years, we’ve had some pretty big names go to bat for us,” Schott said. “We’ve always struggled with how to create a sustainable business around [the Review]... but these moments infuse us with the energy to keep us chugging along.”

“I’m always half surprised we’re nine years in to this. I’m thankful for the Whitefish community, and all the people who have donated to the project. It’s such a huge team that contributes, we couldn’t do it without their help.”

He also credits his wife, Lyndsay.

“Without her smarts and support it would have failed many, many years ago,” Schott said.

The Review will release its 18th issue on Saturday, Dec. 19 at Crush Lounge in Whitefish. Doors open at 7 p.m., and readings start at 8 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Whitefish Community Foundation, Montana Arts Council, and Glacier Bank. A $10 donation is requested.

Copies of Whitefish Review are available in bookstores and for order online at www.whitefishreview.org. Cost is $12, with back issues and subscriptions also available. A new e-Book will be available soon.

A transcript of a portion of the Review’s interview with David Letterman:

Brian Schott: Hello, Mr. Letterman.

David Letterman: How are you, sir?

BS: I’m well. It’s a gorgeous Montana day. Blue skies. Snow-capped mountain peaks.

DL: What is your temperature?

BS: We were at 34 degrees about an hour ago. It’s pretty cold. Clear and cold last night.

DL: Sounds ideal. Sounds lovely and normal in a time when weather doesn’t seem to be normal anywhere.

BS: You can’t count on much these days.

DL: I was just telling Tom, that I’ve been—I believe the word is perusing—the Whitefish Review collections you sent. I’m in love with the publication and I feel stupid because prior to a month ago when I received them I don’t think I was aware of it. It’s a delightful project and must be very satisfying to work with.

BS: Well thanks for saying so. That’s really generous. We’re working with author Rick Bass right now on this next issue and Tom probably told you that we picked the theme “Growing Up and Getting Older.”

DL: Well, yes. But first of all let me tell you this, particular to nothing. Yesterday I was walking around a small town in Connecticut and the commercial grid of this small town reminded me of the commercial grid of what I remember of Whitefish. Except it’s not surrounded by lakes, rivers, or mountains. And I just said to myself then and there—I’m moving to Whitefish. I told my wife last night and she thinks I’m kidding. But why wouldn’t you move to Whitefish?

BS: That’s a good question. We could make you an intern here at Whitefish Review.

DL: I’ll do it. I’ve got nothing but time. (laughing)

DL: The last time we were out there at Big Mountain—I guess they call it Whitefish Mountain now­—you’re looking into the Canadian Rockies, then you’re looking back at Glacier, then you’re looking south to the ranges that run forever in that direction. One of my early ski instructors said to me that the first lesson in skiing is that when you get off the chairlift, take in the view. We’d been half way up the chairlift and it was like an IMAX movie. It’s beyond an IMAX movie—it’s all there. It’s crazy. You don’t see stuff like that.

BS: The scale is so massive that it’s indescribable.

DL: The first time I went through Glacier I thought, I’m looking at the hand of God here.