When New Albany-raised Jon Coombs was a child, he would have imaginary conversations with talk show host David Letterman in the shower.
Now, Coombs, 21, will realize his lifelong dream of being on the comedy legend’s CBS show Monday night.
Coombs, a 2004 graduate of Providence High School and a telecommunications major at Indiana University in Bloomington, will be interviewed by Letterman for attempting to break the world record of most rubber bands stretched over a face in one minute. Though ultimately a New Zealand man broke the record with 62, at one point Coombs did hold the record with 57 rubber bands stretched over his face. The former record was 44.
“It’s not really about the record, though that is a lot of fun,” Coombs said. “I grew up on Letterman shows.”
Coombs will try again to break — and this time hopefully keep — the record Monday night and hopes to get 63 rubber bands. But whether or not he reclaims the record, Coombs said he is “excited and nervous” about his upcoming experience on “The Late Show With David Letterman.”
Coombs, a member of the IU sketch comedy group “All Sorts of Trouble for the Boy in the Bubble,” said the idea came about when a fellow member broke the world record for most T-shirts worn by a human being in December 2006. Coombs suggested someone try to break a “stupid” record every semester, and the challenge was on.
Coombs’ best friend since childhood, Brian Kerr, will watch the taping live since he now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. Kerr said he is not that surprised at the Letterman news, which they just learned about a few days ago.
“Jon’s a charismatic guy and very likable,” Kerr said. “It’s kind of surreal, and I’m a bit nervous for him.”
Coombs, the son of Curtis and Kevin Coombs of New Albany and a business minor at IU, hopes to make a career as either a Letterman production staff member or in marketing at a record label. He hopes his continued communication with Letterman’s staff since April and meeting them in person will parlay into a summer internship on the show. Though he’d also like to be interviewed on “Late Night With Conan O'Brien,” Coombs said he doesn’t plan to make a side career out of going on talk shows
“It’s just about Letterman, really,” Coombs said. “Plus I don’t think breaking an idiotic record fits into most other talk shows.”
“The Late Show With David Letterman” episode with Coombs airs 11:30 p.m. Monday on local CBS affiliate channels.
Recent Local News
Providence graduate to show off unusual skill on Letterman show
- Recent Local News
-
-
SWEET TREAT: Volunteers see the attraction of annual Starlight Strawberry Festival
-
Board chair: Parks district best solution for New Albany and Floyd County
Mayor Jeff Gahan’s veto of a new parks deal between the city and county was upheld earlier this month by the New Albany City Council. While the Floyd County Council agreed to still pay an additional $100,000 toward the parks department for the remainder of the year, the city and county remain under a prior agreement that led to funding discrepancies in the past.
-
THE 'V' WORD: SUB: Prosser Career Education Center moves away from stigma of ‘vocational’ school
- TARC sets Memorial Day and Kennedy Bridge route changes
- Indiana man releases hostages, fatally shoots self
-
Vietnam veteran receives medals 46 years after active duty ends
- More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend
-
Pence talks bridges, jobs during Southern Indiana swing
“I think everyone senses with the recent bridges agreement, the potential for extraordinary growth,” said Mike Pence, a U.S. House member who is seeking to replace Gov. Mitch Daniels and retain the gubernatorial seat for the Republican Party.
- Police: Gunman has hostages in Indiana realty office
-
Delaware woman dies in I-65 crash
-
Collingsworth Family to perform at Silver Heights Retreat Center in New Albany
The Collingsworth Family will be making a return trip to the Silver Heights Retreat and Camp Center in New Albany on Thursday, June 7.
-
Clark County approves self-insurance plan
Clark County Insurance Agent-of-Record Diane Swank presented health insurance renewal options at the council meeting Monday, but the county’s fiscal body decided to recess its meeting in order to review a proposal to move the county to a self-insured plan.
-
New theater directors at NAHS and FCHS ready for their programs
As the curtain falls on the careers of the teachers who put the theater programs of Floyd Central and New Albany high schools on the map, the new blood coming in have big hopes for the programs they’re taking over.
-
Jeff to start enforcing insurance ordinances
A 2004 ordinance that dictates how much city retirees pay for health insurance – ignored for years by Jeffersonville officials – looks like it will now be enforced.
-
Top Gun showing Saturday at the New Albany riverfront
In honor of Memorial Day, the city of New Albany will show the movie “Top Gun” on its new 40-foot screen at the Riverfront Amphitheater Saturday.
- More Recent Local News Headlines
-
