It’s hard to believe but for the last 33 years (amounting to over 6,000 shows), my nighttime ritual was to fall asleep watching the “Late Show with David Letterman.” Sadly, last night was his final show. The beloved talk show host formerly on Late Night on NBC and then moving over to CBS with the Late Show, brought lots and lots of funny memories.
I would watch Letterman on a regular basis and slowly drift off to sleep with a smile on my face.
But it’s hard to believe that I won’t be able to see any more pranks like the time he threw watermelons off the roof of a New York City theatre, his trademark self-depreciation, Dave in his Alka-Seltzer suit, The Monkey-cam, Larry “Bud” Melman, Paul Schafer and the CBS Orchestra, Biff Henderson, Stupid Pet Tricks…and let’s not forget about his Top Ten List.
Thirty-three years go by so fast. But his goofy and hilarious stunts, guest, and memorable moments will never be forgotten. David Letterman was one of a kind.
His personality grew on you and as a former weatherman/failed morning-show host, he never appeared to really care about putting celebrities up on a pedestal. He went so far as to never hide the fact that stupid people truly annoyed him.
Sure he played second fiddle to Jay Leno and the Tonight Show, but his humor and his unique style, which seemed at times uncomfortable, were so much different. (I still think NBC lost out by not giving him the show.) But Dave still came out on top. He is a legend among talk show hosts and has set the bar so high not many will ever get close to it.
Dave has signed off for good and the Late Show will go on, but my evening ritual will never be the same. Sometimes, I wish I never enjoyed your show so much, that way it wouldn’t be as hard as saying goodbye.
~~ Granger Whitelaw
