Katy Perry showed up on Letterman last night (Aug. 24) to deliver this sedate version of “Teenage Dream” from her album of the same name. Unusually for Letterman, he also interviewed his musical guest (below), which was introduced by a brief show tunes-y blast of “California Gurls” by Paul Shaffer and his band, which was probably the best thing about this whole appearance.
Perry courteously answered some predictable questions about Russell Brand (they’ve almost been together for one whole year, folks—a lifetime in celebrity relationship land) before demonstrating that she does actually have a fairly powerful voice. It’s too bad she couldn’t corral Shaffer and co. to give the song a different twist, although the idea of Perry belting out “Teenage Dream” like it was a number from a Broadway musical might make viewers choke on their nightcaps.
She's sedate because Perry is incapable of singing anywhere in tune if she moves around at all.
tankboy