Jon Cryer, Chris Kentis, Renee Olstead

S12 E01 • Monday, Aug 23, 2004 • Aug 23

Dave points out that CBS is airng stock footage of a guy wresting an ostrich to compete with NBC's Olympic coverage; director Chris Kentis promotes Open Water; ""Still Standing"" star Renee Olstead performs a scorching rendition of ""Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby.""

Dennis Leary, Sam Easterson

S12 E02 • Tuesday, Aug 24, 2004 • Aug 24

Dave has difficulty explaining to Paul what exactly animal photographer Sam Easterson does; Dave shows another out-of-focus clip from the Olympics; Denis Leary promotes the FX hit drama ""Rescue Me.""

Paul Hamm, Josh Hartnett, Nick Cave

S12 E03 • Wednesday, Aug 25, 2004 • Aug 25

""CBS Mailbag"" features Dave getting friendly with U.S. Olympic volleyball stars Kerri Walsh & Misty May (bogus), Alan Kalter's ""You're Busted"" at Ranch 1, and New Jersey going ""Gay Crazy;"" gold medalist Paul Hamm visits.

Natalie Coughlin, Carla Gugino, Gavin DeGraw

S12 E04 • Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 • Aug 26

Maureen Dowd, Tom Ryan

S12 E05 • Friday, Aug 27, 2004 • Aug 27

A man from Pennsylvania turns himself into a human jack o'lantern on ""Audience Show & Tell;"" ten U.S. Olympians present the Top Ten; political writer Maureen Dowd makes several alarming comments on the presidential election.

Carly Patterson, Jeff Foxworthy, LL Cool J

S12 E06 • Monday, Aug 30, 2004 • Aug 30

Osama bin Laden announces that he wants to replace Craig Kilborn as host of the Late Late Show; Dave celebrates 11 years at CBS with a timeline; Biff reports from the Republican National Convention, with a goal to hug as many ""Republican Babes"" as possible.

Farrah Fawcett, The Clarks

S12 E07 • Tuesday, Aug 31, 2004 • Aug 31

John McCain, Tom Russell

S12 E08 • Wednesday, Sep 1, 2004 • Sep 1

Tim Russert, Snow Patrol

S12 E09 • Thursday, Sep 2, 2004 • Sep 2

Jane Pauley, Greg Giraldo

S12 E10 • Friday, Sep 3, 2004 • Sep 3

Jane Pauley promotes her new book, talk show, and bipolar disorder.

National Hollerin' Champions, Neve Campbell, Keane

S12 E11 • Monday, Sep 6, 2004 • Sep 6

Dave brags about working on Labor Day; like it does every year, a runaway taxi ruins the staff Labor Day barbecue (and runs over Alan); three National Hollerin' Champions do their thing; Neve Campbell; Keane performs ""Somewhere Only We Know.""

Regis Philbin, Hoobastank

S12 E12 • Tuesday, Sep 7, 2004 • Sep 7

At Hello Deli: Rupert selects a contestant to play the ""Late Show Heart Bypass Scramble;"" Regis promotes his new standards CD; Alan recaps his summer, with the usual results; Hoobastank performs ""Same Direction.""

Martin Short, Alan Jackson

S12 E13 • Wednesday, Sep 8, 2004 • Sep 8

""CBS Mailbag"" introduces Rupert's new ""girlfriend,"" answers the question, ""Does Dave ever sing?"" and features Alan's message to Hillary Clinton; Martin Short; ""Late Show Back to School Tips;"" Alan Jackson sings.

Ray Romano, Avril Lavigne

S12 E14 • Thursday, Sep 9, 2004 • Sep 9

Biff spends the day at New York-Presbyterian Hospital with Dr. Lou Arrone; an educational segment with Alan and an animated rodent goes awry; Ray Romano talks about the final season of ""Everybody Loves Raymond;"" Avril Lavigne performs ""My Happy Ending.""

Drew Barrymore, Aron Ralston

S12 E15 • Friday, Sep 10, 2004 • Sep 10

Dave and Drew Barrymore discuss their long-dormant drinking problems; amputee Aron Ralston returns to the show to promote his new book.

John Kerry, Green Day

S12 E16 • Monday, Sep 20, 2004 • Sep 20

Dave comments on the CBS News scandal; John Kerry performs the Top Ten and gets grilled by Dave; Green Day performs ""American Idiot.""

Dr. Phil, Gary Sinise

S12 E17 • Tuesday, Sep 21, 2004 • Sep 21

Stand-ins for Dave and Dr. Phil stand in the gallows; in honor of a recent stunt on Oprah, everyone in the audience gets an automobile air freshener; Alan unintentionally admits that he's sexual dysfunctional.

Kelly Ripa, Annie Duke, Elvis Costello

S12 E18 • Wednesday, Sep 22, 2004 • Sep 22

Nobel prize winner Professor Robert A. Mundell reads aloud from Paris Hilton's book; Kelly Ripa; poker champion Annie Duke; Elvis Costello & the Imposters perform.

Stupid Human Tricks, Rob Lowe, Mos Def

S12 E19 • Thursday, Sep 23, 2004 • Sep 23

Julianne Moore, Tom Dreesen

S12 E20 • Friday, Sep 24, 2004 • Sep 24

Queen Latifah, Jack Hanna

S12 E21 • Monday, Sep 27, 2004 • Sep 27

As it does every season, Alan's hair changes colors; Dave comments on Conan O'Brien's promotion to hosting The Tonight Show in 2009, then openly asks if he can go back to NBC to host Late Night; a Kodomo Dragon (courtesy of Jack Hanna) startles Dave.

John Goodman, Tom Waits

S12 E22 • Tuesday, Sep 28, 2004 • Sep 28

Dave mentions Paul's line of handbags again, while John Goodman promotes ""Father of the Pride"" and ""Center of the Universe.""

Joaquin Phoenix, Austin Stevens, Switchfoot

S12 E23 • Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004 • Sep 29

Live via satellite, Rupert plays bingo; Dave shows a photo of Harry shaking hands with one of the Stangel brothers; Tony ruins the ending of another movie En Espanol, then goes off on one of his trademark rants.

John Travolta, Tim Frisby, Pearl Jam

S12 E24 • Thursday, Sep 30, 2004 • Sep 30

Richard Gere, Jason Randal

S12 E25 • Friday, Oct 1, 2004 • Oct 1

CBS Mailbag: Dave shows an ad for Martha Stewart's farewell show, then has a heart-to-heart with ""Pete Rose"" (Gerard); magician Jason Randal dazzles Dave with some card tricks.

Howard Dean, Franz Ferdinand

S12 E26 • Monday, Oct 4, 2004 • Oct 4

Dave has another rant about Jay Leno's five-year notice to NBC; an autumn in New York quiz; a still graphic acknowledges the passing of staffer Dorothy Chambers; Howard Dean shills for John Kerry; George Clarke's ""It's A Fact;"" Franz Ferdinand performs ""Take Me Out.""

Annette Bening, Bill O'Reilly

S12 E27 • Tuesday, Oct 5, 2004 • Oct 5

""Mount Late Show"" erupts repeatedly in the backdrop; a schoolmarm plays ""Would You Like to Touch the Meat?""; Mario Andretti presents the Top Ten.

Jamie Foxx, Davy Rothbart

S12 E28 • Wednesday, Oct 6, 2004 • Oct 6

Donald Trump, Brian Binnie, Minnie Driver

S12 E29 • Thursday, Oct 7, 2004 • Oct 7

""Know Your Current Events;"" Donald Trump plays (and wins) ""Trump Or Monkey;"" SpaceShipOne pilot Brian Binnie; Minnie Driver sings ""Everything I've Got In My Pocket.""

Brooke Shields, Barry Sonnenfeld

S12 E30 • Friday, Oct 8, 2004 • Oct 8

During ""CBS Mailbag,"" Dave promotes the new Late Show newsletter, which includes an Alan Kalter centerfold; Brooke Shields visits; director-raconteur Barry Sonnenfeld returns to tell more amusing stories, and show samples of his martini art.

Melina Kanakaredes, Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul Teutul Jr., Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama

S12 E31 • Monday, Oct 11, 2004 • Oct 11

Laura Linney, Richard Lewis, The Wallflowers and Jordan Zevon

S12 E32 • Tuesday, Oct 12, 2004 • Oct 12

Live via satellite, Martha Stewart gets caught in a prison catfight; an NYU student plays ""Guess the Bulge"" at Hello Deli; Jordan Zevon (son of Warren) and The Wallflowers perform ""Lawyers, Guns, and Money.""

Jennifer Lopez, Sue Johanson

S12 E33 • Wednesday, Oct 13, 2004 • Oct 13

Dave has a new favorite phrase (""We must protect this house!"") while J.Lo promotes the remake of the Japanese romantic comedy Shall We Dance?

Billy Crystal, Ralph Nader

S12 E34 • Thursday, Oct 14, 2004 • Oct 14

Tony Danza, Emma Roberts, Brian Regan

S12 E35 • Friday, Oct 15, 2004 • Oct 15

""CBS Mailbag"" with CBS holding auditions for Dave's replacement, George Clarke learning to play drums and Gerard Mulligan returning as ""George W. Bush;"" Tony Danza on his new talk show; Dave chats with Julia Roberts' niece Emma; Brian Regan does standup.

Jimmy Carter, Brandi Chastain, John Mellencamp

S12 E36 • Monday, Oct 18, 2004 • Oct 18

Jude Law, Ricky Gervais

S12 E37 • Tuesday, Oct 19, 2004 • Oct 19

Sarah Michelle Gellar, Tony Kanaan, Sparta

S12 E38 • Wednesday, Oct 20, 2004 • Oct 20

Sarah Michelle Gellar plugs The Grudge; 2004 Indy Racing League Champion Tony Kanaan visits; Sparta performs.

Dustin Hoffman, Joss Stone

S12 E39 • Thursday, Oct 21, 2004 • Oct 21

""Stump The Band;"" live via satellite, Martha Stewart gets caught in yet another catfight; Curt Schilling presents the Top Ten; Dustin Hoffman makes spit bubbles; Joss Stone performs.

Amy Sedaris, Tommy Lee

S12 E40 • Friday, Oct 22, 2004 • Oct 22

Dave's annual (and quite early) look at ""Halloween Costumes;"" George Clarke with a premature reminder about the end of Daylight Savings Time (Dave makes him down chocolate syrup); Amy Sedaris discusses her bunny and imaginary husband ""Ricky;"" Tommy Lee talks about his book, Tommy Land.

Johnny Damon, Anne Heche, The Donnas

S12 E41 • Monday, Nov 1, 2004 • Nov 1

Dave plugs his and Paul's (bogus) ""Decision 2004 Election Showdown Countdown Vote 2004 Democracy Corner"" for tomorrow night's election coverage; Rupert reports from St. Louis and Game 4 of the World Series; Johnny Damon recalls Boston's come-from-behind triumph; Anne Heche talks about parenthood and Birth; The Donnas perform ""Fall Behind Me.""

Tom Brokaw, Mischa Barton

S12 E42 • Wednesday, Nov 3, 2004 • Nov 3

Dave, Alan, Paul and George Clarke all comment on Bush's reelection; Tom Brokaw wishes Harry a happy first birthday; Dave flirts with Mischa Barton of ""The O.C."" to hide the fact that he's never seen the show.

Rosie Perez, Steven Wright

S12 E43 • Thursday, Nov 4, 2004 • Nov 4

""Know Your Current Events;"" an 882 pound pumpkin is exploded on 53rd St.; Rosie Perez is tricked (once) by Dave into mentioning her Isuzu Trooper; Steven Wright.

Al Franken, Kristin Bell

S12 E44 • Friday, Nov 5, 2004 • Nov 5

""CBS Mailbag;"" Al Franken explains the Electoral College to Dave; Kristen Bell visits; Project Bandaloop's performance is postponed because of heavy rain in Manhattan.

Tom Hanks, Nelly

S12 E45 • Monday, Nov 8, 2004 • Nov 8

The annual run-through by NYC Marathon winners; Ball State University sophomore Ryan Carney adds to his Late Show tattoo collection; Tom Hanks on Scottish Mexican food, vomiting and The Polar Express; Nelly.

Salma Hayek, Sebastian Bourdais, Jimmy Eat World

S12 E46 • Tuesday, Nov 9, 2004 • Nov 9

Pierce Brosnan, Nigella Lawson, Renee Fleming

S12 E47 • Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 • Nov 10

Matthew Broderick, Rosario Dawson, Los Lonely Boys

S12 E48 • Thursday, Nov 11, 2004 • Nov 11

Paul Reubens, Evangeline Lilly, Project Bandaloop

S12 E49 • Friday, Nov 12, 2004 • Nov 12

During Mailbag, Rupert admits to learning how flirt with women from Bill O'Reilly; Canadian-born TV actress Evangeline Lilly hugs Paul; after a one-week holdover, Project Bandaloop finally trapezes around the building.

Jerry Seinfeld, Jamie Oliver

S12 E50 • Monday, Nov 15, 2004 • Nov 15