Television Appearances

From This Might Be A Wiki

Since 1985, They Might Be Giants have made television appearances on a wide variety of network and cable talk shows. Below is a list of known appearances, along with links to download or view many of them.

Dates listed are airing dates, not necessarily performance/recording dates. Click any heading to sort entries by category.

Date Country Network Show Content Links Notes
1985-12-17 United States WWOR-TV The Joe Franklin Show (unknown) Discussed in a clip from a Joe Franklin documentary First TMBG television appearance.
1986-11-07 United States WWOR-TV The Joe Franklin Show Performed live: First televised live performance.[1]
1987-04-17 United States CBS KCTV Performed live: Writeup in the Kansas City Star (on the 1987-04-17 show page.) On Good Friday. Infamously cut short after "I look like Jesus..."
1987-09-22 United States WWOR-TV The Joe Franklin Show (unknown)[2]
1987-??-?? United States MTV 120 Minutes Performed live: on YouTube Audio missing on Kiss Me, Son Of God.
1988-03-08 United States Nickelodeon Nick Rocks Guest hosts. Performed live:
1988-08-17 United States MTV Randee of the Redwoods Convention Performed live: Full appearance

(mp4)

Read more on the 1988-08-17 show page.
1988-10-24 United States Alternate Beat Interview Full interview

on YouTube

Recorded backstage at Peabody's Down Under.
1988-12-25 United States MTV 120 Minutes Performed live:
1988-??-?? United States Record Guide 88 Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

Lie Still with better video here.
1989-01-30 United Kingdom TVS Rockin' In The UK Interview Full appearance

on YouTube

1989-02-01 United States NBC Late Night with David Letterman Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

TMBG's network television debut.
1989-03-03 United Kingdom ITV Night Network Performed live: on YouTube Interview featured in the Flood EPK.
1989-03-12 United Kingdom Channel 4 Big World Cafe Performed live: on YouTube
1989-07-?? United States MTV Post Modern Guest hosts.

Performed live:

on YouTube Broadcast over several days. First tape with better video, but worse audio, here.
1989-06-15 United States FOX The Arsenio Hall Show Performed live:
1989-??-?? United States Nickelodeon Nick Rocks Guest hosts. Performed live: Clips from the Gigantic DVD on YouTube
1990-02-05 United States MTV 120 Minutes Performed live: Full recording session

on YouTube

Recorded on 1990-01-29
1990-03-30 United States KDOC-TV Request Video Interview Full interview

on YouTube

Better quality, but incomplete, here.
1990-04-03 United States NBC The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube
Also available on the Gigantic DVD.

Hosted by Jay Leno. Birdhouse is performed an unrehearsed 10bpm faster than usual[4].
1990-04-05 United Kingdom BBC Top of the Pops Lipsynced: Full appearance

on YouTube

1990-05-12 United States NBC Late Night with David Letterman Played live: Full appearance

on YouTube

1990-05-?? Canada Much The New Music Interview Full appearance

on YouTube

1990-06-05 United Kingdom Channel 4 Rock Steady Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

1990-06-09 United Kingdom BBC The 8:15 from Manchester Lipsynced: on YouTube

Birdhouse

1990-06-18 United States NBC Today Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

1990-12-03 Australia MTV Australia Interview Full appearance

on YouTube

1990-??-?? United Kingdom MTV Europe 120 Minutes Performed live: on YouTube
1992-02-07 United Kingdom BBC Tonight with Jonathan Ross Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

Full appearance with better visual quality but muffled audio here.
1992-02-23 Germany WDR Schmidteinander Lipsynced: Full appearance

on YouTube

1992-04-13 Canada Much Electric Circus Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

1992-04-26 United States MTV 120 Minutes Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

Actual Size in better quality here.
1992-05-19 United States NBC Late Night with David Letterman Played live: Full appearance

on YouTube

Better quality, but missing part of intro, here.
1992-07-05 United States NBC The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Performed live: on YouTube Full appearance with crustier video but better audio here.
1992-??-?? United States JBTV JBTV Performed live: Full appearance

on Internet Archive

Mislabeled as 1991, likely during re-airing.
1992-??-?? United States JBTV JBTV Performed live: on YouTube Late 1992
1993-03-14 United States MTV 120 Minutes Guest hosts for the New Wave Marathon. 120 Minutes Song sung a cappella. Full appearance

on YouTube

The "hot pink" jacket is reflective orange.[5]
1993-07-18 United States MTV 120 Minutes Interview. John Flansburgh talks directing Frank Black's music video Hang On To Your Ego. Full appearance

on YouTube

1993-09-05 United States MTV 120 Minutes Guest hosts. Performed live: Full episode

on Internet Archive

Recorded 1993-09-02. Better quality WDTSS here.
1993-10-26 United States NBC Late Night with Conan O'Brien Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

Linnell wears a Brian Dewan t-shirt. William Shatner really was on before Them.
1994-09-?? United States The Cutting Edge Interview with John Flansburgh. Full appearance

on YouTube

1994-10-10 United States MTV 120 Minutes Performed live: Full recording session

on YouTube

Recorded 1994-10-06. Two takes of each song on the session tape.
1994-10-30 United States ABC Good Morning America Performed live: on YouTube
1994-10-31 United States NBC Late Night with Conan O'Brien Performed live: Full performance

on YouTube

John Linnell plays the MicroMoog.
1994-??-?? United States JBTV JBTV Performed live: Full appearance

on Internet Archive

"Northern Scum" is a band t-shirt for The Beautiful South.
1994-??-?? United States MTV The Jon Stewart Show Performed live Full appearance

on YouTube

1995-02-10 United States TBS Live from the House of Blues Performed live: Full episode

on YouTube

Double-bill with Victoria Williams. Show footage recorded 1994-12-09.
1995-03-15 United States FX Sound fX Performed live: Full appearance on YouTube Better visuals but audio only in the left channel / split into parts
1996-03-31 United States MTV 120 Minutes Performed live: Full recording session

(mov)

For the 120 Minutes: A Decade on the Edge 10th anniversary show. Only the song aired.
1996-09-21 United States HBO The Larry Sanders Show Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

1996-11-06 United States NBC Late Night with Conan O'Brien Performed live: Full performance

on YouTube

1996-??-?? United States FOX The Spud Goodman Show Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

1997-03-22 Australia ABC Recovery Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

1997-04-08 United States Comedy Central Viva Variety Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

1998-10-11 United States FX Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

1999-07-29 United States ABC Brave New World Featuring: Full episode

on YouTube

Music video also on the Gigantic DVD.
1999-08-05 United States ABC Brave New World Featuring: Full episode

on YouTube

1999-08-26 United States ABC Brave New World Featuring: Full episode

on YouTube

1999-09-02 United States ABC Brave New World Featuring: Full episode

on YouTube

1999-09-02 United States ABC Brave New World Featuring: Full episode

on YouTube

1999-12-15 United States Comedy Central The Daily Show Performed live: Full episode

on YouTube

For the Greatest Millennium Special.
2000-01-01 United States NBC Late Night with Conan O'Brien Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

John Linnell And The Statesmen appearance.
2000-05-15 United States NBC Late Night with Conan O'Brien Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

2000-06-23 United States TechTV (ZDTV) Internet Tonight Interview Full appearance

on YouTube

2000-??-?? United States CBS Entertainment Tonight Behind-the-scenes on the Boss Of Me music video. Clip

on YouTube

2001-02-05 United States NBC The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

2001-02-15 United States NBC Late Night with Conan O'Brien Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

2001-02-06 United States CBS The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

2001-06-20 United Kingdom BBC Liquid News (unknown)
2001-07-01 United Kingdom BBC Top of the Pops 2 Performed live: on Youtube
2001-07-27 United Kingdom BBC Top of the Pops 2 Performed live: on YouTube
2001-09-07 United States NBC Late Night with Conan O'Brien Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

Performed with a reel-to-reel backing track and Phil Hernandez on drums.
2001-09-10 United States Comedy Central The Daily Show Interview Full appearance

(mp4)

2002-01-19 United States VH1 Pop-Up Video Featuring: Full music video

on YouTube

Preexisting Boss Of Me music video with trivia overlaid.
2002-04-20 Australia ABC Rage Guest hosts.

Click here for the full playlist.

on YouTube
2002-05-08 United States NBC Late Night with Conan O'Brien Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

2002-06-12 United States TechTV The Screen Savers Interview Partial appearance

on YouTube

2002-07-17 United States TechTV The Screen Savers Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

2002-08-02 United States CBS The Early Show Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

2002-08-13 United States NBC Late Night with Conan O'Brien Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

2002-12-26 United States TechTV Call For Help Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

Video-called in remotely for the Call For Help-A-Thon 2002.
2003-03-23 United States Nickelodeon Nick News Interview. Snippet of Older performed live. Full segment

on YouTube

2003-04-29 United States TechTV The Screen Savers Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

2003-09-04 United States TechTV The Screen Savers Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

Debut of Stalk Of Wheat. Particle Man performed with John Linnell on Stylophone.
2004-01-11 United States Adult Swim Home Movies Featuring: S4E2, "Camp". John and John also provide voices for summer camp counselors Mike and Miguel throughout the episode.
2004-05-10 United States Nickelodeon Blue's Clues Lipsynced: Full appearance

on YouTube

S6E9, "Bluestock".
2004-08-13 United States NBC Late Night with Conan O'Brien Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

2005-02-12 United States NBC Today Performed live:
2005-02-15 United States NBC Late Night with Conan O'Brien Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

2005-05-13 United States ABC Nightline John Flansburgh profile on Beck. on YouTube
2007-07-13 United States NBC Late Night with Conan O'Brien Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

John Linnell plays the celesta.
2007-10-12 United States CBS The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson Performed live: on YouTube
2007-10-19 United States CBS The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson Performed live: on YouTube Recorded on 2007-10-12.
2007-12-01 United States Disney Channel Higglytown Heroes Voice acting (as Themselves).

Featuring:

on YouTube S3, "Bingo Bongos". Marty Beller, unvoiced, also appears.
2007-12-09 United States Adult Swim Xavier: Renegade Angel John Flansburgh makes a live-action cameo as Xavier's computer. Scenes clipped

on YouTube

S1E6, "World of Hurt, B.C."
2008-01-06 United States Adult Swim Xavier: Renegade Angel John Flansburgh makes a live-action cameo as Xavier's computer. Scenes clipped

on YouTube

S1E9, "Signs from Godrilla".
2008-04-10 United States NBC Late Night with Conan O'Brien Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

2009-02-12 United States NBC Late Night with Conan O'Brien Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

Portraits commemorate Lincoln and Darwin's shared birthday.
2009-10-06 United States NBC Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Performed live: Dead web exclusive.
2009-12-11 United States CBS The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

WDTSS featuring John Hodgman.
2009-12-20 United States ABC Good Morning America Performed live: on YouTube
2009-??-?? United States NBC Talk Stoop Interview. Snippet of Meet The Elements performed live. Full appearance

on YouTube

2011-07-27 United States NBC Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Performed live: on YouTube: Birdhouse In Your Soul web exclusive.
2011-07-29 United States Fuse TV Hoppus on Music Performed live: on YouTube Recorded on 2011-07-11
2012-01-26 United States TBS Conan Performed live: on YouTube: Ana Ng web exclusive.
2013-05-24 United States NBC Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Performed live:
  • Istanbul (Not Constantinople) on YouTube
Istanbul (Not Constantinople) web exclusive.
2013-11-22 Germany WDR Rockpalast Performed live: Streamable

from WDR

The first half of the 2013-11-22 show.
2015-05-06 United States TBS Conan Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

2018-02-28 United States TBS Conan Performed live: Full appearance

on YouTube

2018-12-25 United States PBS Articulate with Jim Cotter Interview Full appearance

on YouTube

2023-04-24 United States ABC Jimmy Kimmel Live! Performed live: on YouTube
2025-05-06 United States ABC Jimmy Kimmel Live! Performed live: on YouTube Promoting Beast Of Horns.

Canceled/Unknown Appearances[edit]

  • An interview with both Johns for The Week In Rock was recorded in December 1988 (possibly mislabeled as Mouth to Mouth on the tour itinerary)[6] but it is unknown if it aired. A rip of the master tape can be seen here (mov)
  • A 1989 promotional highlights CD for Spruchreif (Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Germany) includes Ana Ng, meaning the song was likely lip-synced at an unknown appearance in early 1989.
  • The unofficial compilation "A Little Late Music - The Late Show (BBC) 1989-95" includes a theme for the show performed by They Might Be Giants, taken from an unknown appearance likely in 1989.
  • An interview with John Flansburgh was recorded for Space Ghost Coast To Coast Episode 59: "Joshua", but the final episode (aired January 1, 1998) did not include it.[7]

See also[edit]