Shaffer, Paul
Paul Shaffer
Keyboardist, bandleader, musical director
Began With Canadian Teen Parties
Although Paul Shaffer is best known as late-night television guru David Letterman’s musical director, quirky sidekick, and bandleader, he is also a definitive role model for aspiring keyboard players, rock repertoire cover bands, and rhythm section leaders. In addition to releasing solo albums with his band—known as the Party Boys of Rock ‘n’ Roll—he has contributed to the albums of a dazzling array of musicians, including the Blues Brothers, Diana Ross, Nina Hagen, Yoko Ono, Barry Manilow, Paul Rodgers, the Honeydrippers, the Jeff Healey Band, and Joan Armatrading. His trademark approach to covering songs has been to combine a faithfulness to the original material with an infusion of his own enthusiastic, rollicking style.
Shaffer’s group was called the World’s Most Dangerous Band from 1982 through August of 1993, during their time on NBC-TV’s long-running show Late Night With David Letterman. When the Late Show With David Letterman debuted on CBS-TV on August 30, 1993 (after much political wrangling and network maneuvering), Shaffer changed the name of his band to Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra. On their own albums, however, the ensemble goes by the name the Party Boys of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Shaffer’s band is comprised of drummer Anton Fig, bassist Will Lee, guitarist Sid McGinnis, synthesizer virtuoso and former Funkadelic/Parliament member Bernie Worrell, and rhythm guitarist Felicia Collins.
Shaffer accompanies the musical guests on the Late Show With David Letterman and, as a result, has played with an extensive roster of jazz, rock, folk, soul, hip-hop, and reggae musicians since he first became musical director and straight man for Letterman in 1982. Much of his job entails being able to accommodate an array of musical styles—often with less than a half hour’s rehearsal—and consequently, he has developed into a laudably flexible musician with a working knowledge of scores of musical forms.
Began With Canadian Teen Parties
An only child, Shaffer was raised in Fort William (later called Thunder Bay), Ontario—then a town of under 100,000 people. He studied classical piano as a child and often performed in piano competitions. However, his interest turned to rock music when he reached his mid-teens. Fellow Canadian Neil Young was an early influence on Shaffer, along with such acts as the Beatles, the Bonnevilles, and the Merseybeats.
Shaffer began his musical career at the age of 16 in a local band called the Fugitives. He played regularly at
For the Record…
Born Paul Allan Shaffer, November 28, 1949, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; raised in Fort William (now Thunder Bay), Ontario; immigrated to the United States, 1974; only son of a lawyer; married in 1990; children: one daughter. Education: Received degree in psychology from the University of Toronto. Religion: Jewish.
Began playing the piano at the age of six; played in piano competitions until his mid-teens; joined the band the Fugitives and played throughout Thunder Bay, Ontario, while in high school. Became musical director of Toronto’s production of Godspell, 1972; moved to New York City, 1974; performed as a pianist in Broadway productions, created commercial jingles, made demo tapes, and worked for National Lampoon’s Radio Hour. Became writer of special musical material for NBC-TV’s Saturday Night Live, 1975; toured with the Blues Brothers as their musical director and recorded Briefcase Full of Blues, both 1978; worked with Gilda Radner in the Broadway show Gilda Live; left Saturday Night Live in 1979 to star in television comedy series A Year at the Top; returned to Saturday Night Live same year. Became David Letterman’s musical director, 1982; with band, the Party Boys of Rock ‘n’ Roll, released The World’s Most Dangerous Party, 1993.
Addresses: c/o Panacea Entertainment, 2705 Glendower Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027.
high school dances on Friday nights and at local bars such as the Flamingo and the 4-D, two places where Neil Young used to entertain as well. Since Shaffer couldn’t afford a Vox keyboard—and a Hammond organ was too unwieldy to tote—he originally played a Hohner organ with only four octaves, before moving on to a Yamaha single-keyboard organ. One of the highlights of his teen years in Thunder Bay was opening for the Troggs.
Shaffer had anticipated following in his father’s professional footsteps. He originally planned to earn a law degree from the University of Toronto and then join the elder Shaffer’s law firm. He ceased playing and studying music for his first two years of college and was miserable as a result. A friend urged him to take up his keyboard again; he did, and he then knew he had to follow his heart rather than his family’s expectations. Shortly after graduating with a degree in psychology from the University of Toronto, Shaffer auditioned for the role of musical director for the 1972 Toronto production of Godspell; landing the spot was his first big break. Godspell ran for 15 months.
During the early 1970s, Shaffer immersed himself in Toronto’s cultural scene and created bonds of friendship with several artists who would later dominate American comedy. Fellow Godspell cast members included future Saturday Night Live performers Martin Short and Gilda Radner; the three remained friends for decades. Canadian-born producer/director Lorne Michaels of Saturday Night Live, along with comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Candy, were also influential in Shaffer’s early professional life.
Shaffer made his first trip to New York City in 1974 to record the movie album for Godspell. He was then hired to play piano in the Broadway musical The Magic Show, and soon he was also playing for National Lampoon’s Radio Hour. Shaffer put in 15-hour days throughout the mid-1970s, jumping from demo taping to commercial jingle gigs to radio show recordings. He never knew with whom he would be playing—everyone from James Brown to Judy Collins would turn up—and he was enthralled with the excitement of his work.
Forays Into Comedy
In addition to being a session musician, Shaffer had a flair for theatrical timing and television presentation. He first began flexing his comedy muscle as writer of special musical material for Saturday Night Live in 1975; he also worked on National Lampoon’s Good-Bye Pop parody album, which was released the next year. In addition, Shaffer collaborated on the Blues Brothers’ 1978 album Briefcase Full of Blues; it sold over 3 million copies and hit the top of the music charts.
After his stint with the Blues Brothers, Shaffer worked with Gilda Radner on her Broadway show Gilda Live. Shortly thereafter, in 1979, he left his post at Saturday Night Live to star in a television comedy called A Year at the Top, which was produced by Norman Lear and Don Kirshner but, due to disappointing ratings, ran for only six weeks. Shaffer then returned to Saturday Night Live and found a comedie niche on the show by impersonating rock emcee Don Kirshner for two seasons in various skits. He also played band manager Artie Fufkin in the comedie mock-documentary This Is Spinal Tap, directed by Rob Reiner. By 1982 Shaffer had been offered the position of musical director for late night television personality David Letterman. Due to his witty retorts, hard-driving musical style, and the overall popularity of Letterman’s show, Shaffer became a national celebrity.
Music His Top Priority
Even with his late night success, Shaffer shunned the traditional trappings of wealth and fame: the manager, agent, personal trainer, and flashy summer home. He threw all of his energy into his work and music. This commitment took its toll on his personal life: Shaffer he was forced to sever a six-year relationship with a woman who was tired of taking the backseat to his musical career. Shaffer did eventually marry in 1990, and had a daughter soon afterward. And his fervor for music, kitsch, and comedy remain as strong as ever.
In 1991 Shaffer produced an album with Dion, Ben E. King, Bobby Womack, and Wilson Pickett titled Coast to Coast, which features standard rock and roll and blues classics such as “Louie Louie,” “What Is Soul?,” and “Wang Dang Doodle.” Shaffer then worked on Blues Traveler’s 1993 effort Save His Soul. That same year, he released his own band’s album, produced by Todd Rundgren and titled The World’s Most Dangerous Party.
Shaffer told New York magazine contributor Michael Stone that the assimilation and appreciation of music is more than just a job or a sound. “I used to listen to rock and roll as a kid,” he related. “People were leading such exciting lives. They were going ‘under the boardwalk’ to make out. Or ‘up on the roof’ to make love. And I was coming home from school frozen in my long underwear.” Music came to represent all that was exciting in life to Shaffer, and over the years he has clearly joined in on the excitement himself.
Selected discography
Godspell, Arista, 1974.
(With Barry Manilow) This One’s for You, Arista, 1976.
(With National Lampoon) Good-Bye Pop, Epic, 1976.
(With the Jeff Healey Band) Feel This, Arista, 1977.
(With the Blues Brothers) Briefcase Full of Blues, Atlantic, 1978.
(With Joan Armatrading) Me Myself, A&M, 1980.
(With Nina Hagen) Nunsexmonkrock, Columbia, 1980.
(With Diana Ross) Silk Electric, RCA, 1981.
(With the Blues Brothers) Made in America, Atlantic, 1982.
(With Yoko Ono) It’s Alright, Polydor, 1982.
The Honeydrippers, Volume 1, Es Paranza (distributed by Atlantic), 1984.
(With Dion, Ben E. King, Bobby Womack, and Wilson Pickett) Coast to Coast, Capitol/EMI Records, 1991.
(With Blues Traveler) Save His Soul, A&M, 1993.
(With the Party Boys of Rock ‘n’Roll) The World’s Most angerous Party(includes special guest appearances by Richard Beizer, James Coburn, and Harry Shearer), SBK Records, 1993.
Sources
Keyboard, September 1983; October 1986; March 1987; November 1989; October 1993.
New York, June 2, 1986.
New York Post, August 17, 1993.
—B. Kimberly Taylor
Shaffer, Paul 1949–
SHAFFER, Paul 1949–
(Paul Schaefer, Paul "Shiv" Shaffer)
PERSONAL
Full name, Paul Alan Shaffer; born November 28, 1949, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (some sources cite Fort William [now Thunder Bay], Ontario, Canada); immigrated to the United States, 1974; son of Bernard (an attorney) and Shirley Shaffer; married Cathy Vasapoli (a booking agent), 1990; children: Victoria Lily, William Wood Lee. Education: University of Toronto, B.A., 1971. Religion: Judaism.
Addresses:
Office—c/o The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS–TV, 530 West 57th St., New York, NY 10019. Agent—Cunningham/Escott/Dipene and Associates, 10635 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 140, Los Angeles, CA 90025 (voice work).
Career:
Musician, composer, bandleader, actor, voice performer, and producer. Fabulous Fugitives (rock band), Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, musician, 1964–68; Blues Brothers (musical group featuring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd), bandleader and music director, 1978–79; Howard Shore Band, keyboard musician; performed with the Candy Slice Group, the Honeydrippers, Howard Shore and His All Nurse Band, Northern Lights, and the Paul Shaffer Band; studio musician for recording artists. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, producer, director, and leader of the Paul Shaffer Hall of Fame Orchestra, 1986—. 1996 Summer Olympic Games, Atlanta, GA, music director, 1996; Super Bowl XXX, Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ, halftime performer, 1996. Appeared in television commercials for Radio Shack electronics stores, 2002–03; voice for radio commercials for Westchester Medical Center, 2002; worked on other radio commercials; Epilepsy Canada, spokesperson; affiliated with the American Red Cross. Paul Shaffer Celebrity Seder, New York City, organizer; Concert of the Century, Washington, DC, music director, 1999.
Awards, Honors:
Honorary D.F.A., Lakehead University, 1988; two Grammy Award nominations, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, 1989, for Coast to Coast; Emmy Award nomination (with others), outstanding achievement in music direction, 1989, for Late Night with David Letterman; Emmy Award nomination (with others), outstanding achievement in music direction, 1992, for Late Night with David Letterman: 10th Anniversary; honorary D.Mus., Five Towns College, 1993; Film and Television Music Award, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, most performed theme, 1995; Writers Guild of America Award (with others), outstanding comedy or variety special, 2001, for Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary; Grammy Award (with others), best country instrumental performance, 2002, for "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," Earl Scruggs and Friends; Paul Shaffer Drive in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada named in his honor, 2002; Golden Jubilee Medal, Queen Elizabeth II, 2003; inducted into National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame.
CREDITS
Television Appearances; Series:
With various bands, including the Blues Brothers, the Honeydrippers, and Howard Shore and His All Nurse Band, Saturday Night Live (also known as NBC's "Saturday Night," Saturday Night, Saturday Night Live '80, SNL, and SNL 25), NBC, 1975–78, 1981, 1984, 1987.
Paul Durban, A Year at the Top, CBS, 1977.
Leader of the World's Most Dangerous Band and musician, Late Night with David Letterman, NBC, 1982–93.
Leader of CBS Orchestra (also known as Party Boys of Rock 'n' Roll), musician, and occasional host, The Late Show with David Letterman (also known as The Late Show and Late Show Backstage), CBS, 1993—.
Dr. Hans Zarkov, Flash Gordon, syndicated, beginning 1996.
Voice of Hermes, Hercules (animated; also known as Disney's "Hercules"), ABC and syndicated, 1998–99.
Voice of Hermes, House of Mouse (animated), ABC, 2001–2003.
Television Appearances; Specials:
Steve Martin's Best Show Ever, NBC, 1981.
Himself, The Last Polka, Showtime and HBO, 1985.
Himself, Tears Are Not Enough (documentary), CBC, 1985.
Late Night Film Festival, NBC, 1985.
"Martin Short Concert for the North Americas," Showtime Comedy Spotlight, Showtime, 1985.
David Letterman's Second Annual Holiday Film Festival, NBC, 1986.
"Fats Domino and Friends: Immortal Keyboards of Rock and Roll," Cinemax Sessions, Cinemax, 1986.
NBC's 60th Anniversary Celebration, NBC, 1986.
The Beach Boys: 25 Years Together, ABC, 1987.
Comic Relief II, HBO, 1987.
David Letterman's Old–Fashioned Christmas, NBC, 1987.
Don Johnson's Music Video Feature Heartbeat, HBO, 1987.
The Late Night with David Letterman Fifth Anniversary Show, NBC, 1987.
"Viva Shaf Vegas" (also known as "Paul Shaffer: Viva Shaf Vegas"), Cinemax Comedy Experiment, Cinemax, 1987.
Ashford and Simpson: Going Home, The Disney Channel, 1988.
The Late Night with David Letterman Sixth Anniversary Show, NBC, 1988.
(Uncredited) Audience member, Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary, NBC, 1989.
Host, Rate the '80s, syndicated, 1989.
Jacksonville Jazz IX, PBS, 1989.
The Late Night with David Letterman Seventh Anniversary Show, NBC, 1989.
Host, The Best of Cinemax Sessions, Cinemax, 1990.
The Late Night with David Letterman Eighth Anniversary Special, NBC, 1990.
Night of 100 Stars III (also known as Night of One Hundred Stars), NBC, 1990.
Artie Fufkin, A Spinal Tap Reunion: The 25th Anniversary London Sell–Out (also known as The Return of Spinal Tap), NBC, 1992.
Late Night with David Letterman: 10th Anniversary, NBC, 1992.
(As Paul "Shiv" Shaffer; in archive footage) Band member, The Best of the Blues Brothers, The Disney Channel, 1993.
"The Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Celebration," In the Spotlight, PBS, 1993.
Friends of Gilda, CBC, 1993.
"A New York Night—Live!," HBO Comedy Hour, HBO, 1993.
Host from New York, Happy New Year America—1994, CBS, 1994.
The Late Night with David Letterman Video Special, CBS, 1994.
The Show Formerly Known as The Martin Short Show, NBC, 1995.
(With the Blues Brothers) Halftime performer, Super Bowl XXX, 1996.
Host, Grammy Countdown, CBS, 1997.
Farm Aid '98, HBO (some sources cite Country Music Television), 1998.
The Goodwill Games Opening Celebration, TBS, 1998.
The Late Show with David Letterman Fifth Anniversary Special, CBS, 1998.
Himself, Straight Shooter: The Story of the Mamas and the Papas, Bravo, 1999.
(With the Paul Shaffer Band) The Concert of the Century for VH1 Save the Music, VH1, 1999.
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary (also known as Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Primetime Special), NBC, 1999.
America: A Tribute to Heroes, multiple networks, 2001.
The Concert for New York City, VH1, 2001.
Host, "The New York Friars Club Roast of Chevy Chase," Comedy Central Presents, Comedy Central, 2002.
Gilda Radner's Greatest Moments, ABC, 2002.
"Warren Zevon: Keep Me in Your Heart," VH1's Inside Out (documentary; also known as VH1's (Inside)/ Out, VH1 Inside Out Warren Zevon: Keep Me in Your Heart, and Warren Zevon: Inside Out), VH1, 2003.
Himself, Unseen + Untold: The Blues Brothers, Spike TV, 2004.
Himself, Saturday Night Live: The First 5 Years (documentary), NBC, 2005.
Television Appearances; Awards Presentations:
The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Show, CBS, 1987.
Host, The 1990 Billboard Music Awards, Fox, 1990.
Presenter, The Second International Rock Awards, ABC, 1990.
Host, The 1991 Billboard Music Awards, Fox, 1991.
The 1997 ESPY Awards, ABC, 1997.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Class of '99, VH1, 1999.
Musical presenter, The 55th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Fox, 2003.
Presenter, The 45th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 2003.
The 34th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards, Bravo, 2003.
2003 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony, VH1, 2003.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony 2004, VH1, 2004.
Television Appearances; Episodic:
Guest, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, NBC, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990.
Himself, "Fifteen Minutes of Fame" (also known as "10 Minutes of Fame"), Cosby, CBS, 1998.
Himself, Sonny Bono: The E! True Hollywood Story, E! Entertainment Television, 1999.
Guest, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, CBS, 2000.
Host, Cover Wars, VH1, 2001.
Guest, Primetime Glick, Comedy Central, 2001, 2002, 2003.
Irv Nadler, "The Shot," Ed (also known as Stuckeyville), NBC, 2002.
Himself, "Hope Couture," Hope & Faith, ABC, 2005.
Television Appearances; Pilots:
Lionel, Hereafter (pilot for the series A Year at the Top), NBC, 1975.
Television Work; Series:
Music supervisor, music director, and musician, Late Night with David Letterman, NBC, 1982–93.
Music supervisor and director, The Late Show with David Letterman (also known as The Late Show and Late Show Backstage), CBS, 1993—.
Television Executive Producer; Specials:
"Viva Shaf Vegas" (also known as "Paul Shaffer: Viva Shaf Vegas"), Cinemax Comedy Experiment, Cinemax, 1987.
Television Music Producer; Awards Presentations:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum: 16th Annual Induction Ceremony, VH1, 2001.
2003 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony, VH1, 2003.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony 2004, VH1, 2004.
Television Music Director; Specials:
David Letterman's Second Annual Holiday Film Festival, NBC, 1986.
"Fats Domino and Friends: Immortal Keyboards of Rock and Roll," Cinemax Sessions, Cinemax, 1986.
The Late Night with David Letterman Fifth Anniversary Show, NBC, 1987.
The Late Night with David Letterman Sixth Anniversary Show, NBC, 1988.
The Late Night with David Letterman Seventh Anniversary Show, NBC, 1989.
The Late Night with David Letterman Eighth Anniversary Special, NBC, 1990.
Late Night with David Letterman: 10th Anniversary, NBC, 1992.
Friends of Gilda, CBC, 1993.
"A New York Night—Live!," HBO Comedy Hour, HBO, 1993.
The Late Night with David Letterman Video Special, CBS, 1994.
The Late Show with David Letterman Video Special 2, CBS, 1996.
The Late Show with David Letterman Video Special 3, CBS, 1997.
The Late Show with David Letterman Fifth Anniversary Special, CBS, 1998.
The Concert of the Century for VH1 Save the Music, VH1, 1999.
The Concert for New York City, VH1, 2001.
Television Music Director; Awards Presentations:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum: 17th Annual Induction Ceremony, VH1, 2002.
Film Appearances:
Organist, Mr. Mike's Mondo Video, 1979.
Don Kirshner, Gilda Live, Warner Bros., 1980.
Artie Fufkin, This Is Spinal Tap, Embassy, 1984.
Filmmaker's assistant, Heartbeat, 1987.
Street musician, Scrooged, Paramount, 1988.
Voice of Optilow, Light Years (animated; also known as Gandahar), Miramax, 1988.
Taxi businessperson, Look Who's Talking Too, TriStar, 1990.
Voice of Hermes, Hercules (animated), Buena Vista, 1997.
Marco, Blues Brothers 2000, Universal, 1998.
Himself, Man on the Moon (also known as Der Mondmann), Universal, 1999.
Himself, Bitter Jester, Anchor Bay Entertainment, 2004.
Film Work:
Keyboard musician, Godspell (musical), 1973.
Music supervisor, Mr. Mike's Mondo Video, 1979.
Music supervisor, music director, music arranger, and vocalist, The Lemon Sisters, Miramax, 1990.
Music producer, Blues Brothers 2000, Universal, 1998.
Performer, producer, and arranger of songs that have appeared in films, television productions, and videos.
Stage Appearances:
Don Kirshner, Gilda: Live from New York, Winter Garden Theatre, New York City, 1979.
Phil Spector, Leader of the Pack, Bottom Line Theatre, New York City, 1984.
Night of 100 Stars (also known as Night of One Hundred Stars), 1990.
Stage Work; Musicals:
Music director, Godspell (musical), Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, beginning c. 1972.
Pianist, The Magic Show, Cort Theatre, New York City, beginning c. 1974.
Music conductor, Godspell, Broadhurst Theatre, New York City, 1976, Plymouth Theatre, New York City, 1976–77, Ambassador Theatre, New York City, 1977.
Radio Appearances; Series:
Host, Live from the Hard Rock Cafe, NBC, 1985–86.
Radio Work; Series:
Musician for The National Lampoon Radio Hour.
RECORDINGS
Albums with Others:
Godspell (soundtrack recording), Arista, 1974.
Barry Manilow, This One's for You, Arista, 1976.
(With National Lampoon) Good–Bye Pop, Epic, 1976.
Jeff Healy Band, Feel This, Arista, 1977.
(With the Blues Brothers) Briefcase Full of Blues, Atlantic, 1978.
Joan Armitrading, Me Myself, A&M, 1980.
Nina Hagen, Nunsexmonkrock, Columbia, 1980.
Diana Ross, Silk Electric, RCA, 1981.
(With the Blues Brothers) Made in America, Atlantic, 1982.
Yoko Ono, It's Alright, Polydor, 1982.
(With the Honey Drippers) The Honey Drippers, Es Paranza, 1984.
(With Billy Crystal and Christopher Guest) Mahvelous!, A&M, 1985.
(With Crystal) You Look Mahvelous!, A&M, 1985.
The Karate Kid II (original soundtrack recording), 1986.
(With Dion, Ben E. King, Bobby Womack, and Wilson Pickett) Coast to Coast, Capital/EMI, c. 1988.
The Blues Masters, Monsoon, 1992.
Blues Traveler, Save His Soul, A&M, 1993.
(With the Party Boys of Rock 'n' Roll) The World's Most Dangerous Party, SBK Records, 1993.
(With others) Earl Scruggs and Friends, MCA Nashville, 2001.
Singles:
(With Northern Lights) "Tears Are Not Enough" (track on the album We Are the World), Polygram, 1985.
Videos:
(With the Blues Brothers) The Best of John Belushi, 1985.
(With the Blues Brothers) The Best of Dan Aykroyd, 1986.
Composer, The Best of Chevy Chase, 1987.
The Stories behind the Making of "The Blues Brothers," 1998.
Music Videos:
Don Johnson, "Heartbeat," 1986.
Video Games:
(As Paul Schaefer) Voice of Hermes, Hercules, 1997.
WRITINGS
Television Composer; Series:
Theme music, "Like a Rising Star," A Year at the Top, CBS, 1977.
Special music material, Square Pegs, CBS, 1982–83.
Late Night with David Letterman, NBC, 1982–93.
The Late Show with David Letterman (also known as The Late Show and Late Show Backstage), CBS, 1993—.
Main title theme song, The Martin Short Show, NBC, 1994.
Television Composer; Specials:
Theme song, "Viva Shaf Vegas" (also known as "Paul Shaffer: Viva Shaf Vegas"), Cinemax Comedy Experiment, Cinemax, 1987.
Theme song, "Late for Dinner," Cinemax Comedy Experiment, Cinemax, 1988.
Song "Bermuda," The Late Night with David Letterman Eighth Anniversary Special, NBC, 1990.
The Show Formerly Known as The Martin Short Show, NBC, 1995.
Teleplays; Specials:
"Viva Shaf Vegas" (also known as "Paul Shaffer: Viva Shaf Vegas"), Cinemax Comedy Experiment, Cinemax, 1987.
(With others) Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary (also known as Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Primetime Special), NBC, 1999.
Film Music:
Mr. Mike's Mondo Video, 1979.
Gilda Live, Warner Bros., 1980.
(With others) Postcards from the Edge, Columbia, 1990.
Screenplays:
(With Gilda Radner) Gilda Live, Warner Bros., 1980.
Stage Music:
(With Gilda Radner) Gilda: Live from New York, Winter Garden Theatre, New York City, 1979.
Songs:
(With Gilda Radner) "Gimme Mick," 1979.
(With Gilda Radner) "Honey (Touch Me with My Clothes On)," 1979.
(With Paul Jabara) "It's Raining Men," 1981.
(With Billy Crystal) "You Look Mahvelous," 1985.
Shaffer's music and songs have appeared in films, television productions, and videos.
OTHER SOURCES
Books:
Contemporary Musicians, Volume 13, Gale, 1994.
Periodicals:
Billboard, February 21, 1998, p. 46.
Down Beat, October, 1989, p. 16.
Entertainment Weekly, February 28, 2003, pp. 48–50.
New Yorker, January 16, 1989, p. 36.
People Weekly, September 13, 1994.
TV Guide, March 15, 2003, p. 6.