Today in TV History: ‘The Real World’ Changed Music History Forever with ‘Come On Be My Baby Tonight’

Of all the great things about television, the greatest is that it’s on every single day. TV history is being made, day in and day out, in ways big and small. In an effort to better appreciate this history, we’re taking a look back, every day, at one particular TV milestone. 

IMPORTANT DATE IN TV HISTORY: August 5, 2000

PROGRAM ORIGINALLY AIRED ON THIS DATE: The Real World, “Two Days and Too Little Help” (Season 9, Episode 8).

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT:  In 1950, composer Frank Loesser wrote the song “Luck Be a Lady” to include in his Broadway production Guys and Dolls. In the second act, ne’er-do-well gambler Sky Masterson makes a bet that he hopes will win him the heart of the woman he loves, and he sings this song as a plea to the fates. The song became one of the signature tunes in one of the signature musicals of Broadway’s golden age. The song would go on to be performed by Marlon Brando in the 1955 film version of Guys and Dolls, and subsequently by Frank Sinatra for essentially the remainder of the century. It is, not to put to fine a point on it, one of America’s great songs.

In the summer of 2000, David Broom was cast on the 9th season of The Real World. Musclebound and a self-described “player,” David’s function on the show appeared to be scoring chicks and feeling estranged from the other six cast members, fighting with them at work, et cetera. Then, in the 8th episode of the series, David premiered his softer side. His music. In a composition titled “Come On Be My Baby Tonight,” David riffed on Frank Loesser’s classic song, transforming a plaintive (if cocky) beseeching of the fates into a scatting (if cocky) come-on to the ladies.

The song instantly became indelible in Real World lore. Never before had a cast member been so upfront about their unusual talents. Never before had the phrase “dwee-dwabble-dwee-dobble-dee” packed into it such meaning. “Come On Be My Baby Tonight,” indeed.

Tragically, there is no existing video evidence of this scene. Which is utterly infuriating. To cope, we have the invaluable Dave Chappelle, who invited David onto his show to reprise his musical triumph.

And we have this YouTube video of fanatics recreating David’s big moment with the original audio. We make do with what we can.

Lost in the shuffle of David’s musical genius is that David song was his version of answering a questionnaire meant to introduce himself to New Orleans’ public-access TV audience (the New Orleans cast were tasked with working at a TV station). Levels upon levels, man.

[You can stream (certain seasons of) The Real World on Amazon Video.]