Letterman tricks Al Pacino into saying Scarface line during Mad Max-themed Top 10 List


During an already star-packed Late Show, Al Pacino made a cameo on Thursday night, requesting not to read the Top 10 List but just the numbers. Befitting the general tenor of the night, it was strange and subversively fun. David Letterman, not yet shackled to George Clooney, was able to slip Pacino a note first. "I have a little something here for you, Al," he said. "I want you to try this." And that's how Letterman got Pacino to unwillingly recite his most famous line from Scarface.
Pacino went on to do a magnificent, dramatic rendition of only the numbers of the Top 10 List, which focused on "Why Mad Max so Mad?" There are some pretty good ones, and Pacino was very gracious when Letterman stepped on his line with No. 4. "Habit," he said. It's going to be a rough transition to retirement for Letterman. —Peter Weber
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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
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