MUNCIE, Ind. – Heavy rains, strong winds and muggy conditions couldn’t keep television producer Jill Leiderman from getting her show on air from Ball State University.

The 29-year-old writers' segment producer for The Late Show with David Letterman battled the elements Thursday to prepare recent graduates to present another top 10 list for the popular television show.

"Early in the morning we were very worried because of the rain and we had to look for alternate sites," said Leiderman, now in her sixth year with the CBS late night talk show. "Luckily, the skies cleared and the sun came out for awhile in the afternoon. We are blessed."

The segment, the "Top Ten Lessons I Learned in College," was taped Thursday and will air at 11:30 p.m. (EST) May 18.

The self-described "Looney Girl from the Late Show" spent part of day working with the Ball State group at the Arts Terrace on the Old Quad.

Her job was to make sure all the participants felt at ease despite the camera, weather and other distractions.

"We just want to make sure everyone is having a good time," she said.

The scene during rehearsals was far from the quiet studios found in New York. During a mid-afternoon run-through, televised back to the studios, the occasional siren blared away while construction crews hammered inside the Fire Arts Building, which is being renovated.

There was even a phone call from Dave’s mom, Dorothy. The two women became close friends during regular visits to Indianapolis to tape segments for the television show.

"This is one of those jobs where you have to be prepared to do almost anything to get the show on," Leiderman said. "I sometimes have both my cell phones ringing at the same time. My body is conditioned for this type of life."

During the hours of rehearsals, she kept the students and alumni motivated while they practiced their lines -- over and over."

"They are bright, articulate and just a great group," Leiderman said. "We are very lucky to have such a great group."

The production crew included members of the Late Show staff and crew from WISH-TV, the CBS affiliate in Indianapolis. WISH-TV also provided its satellite uplink truck for the production.

The trip to Muncie was a first for Leiderman, who confessed to being in awe of the campus where Letterman spent the late 1960s as a student. Letterman graduated from Ball State in 1969.

"It is simply gorgeous here," she said. "It is so green and lush. It is much different from the concrete city (New York) that I come from.

It is a real joy to come here to a place where he spent so much time as a college student," she said. "The Ball State campus has been incredibly hospitable. We are forever grateful."

By Marc Ransford, Communications Manager