A
little over three decades ago, a comedian born in Indianapolis, IN came into
our lives through the television screen right after the 11 p.m. local news. He
brought to the table entertainment that changed the game of late night forever.
From tricks done by animals; a Top 10 list that was a comedy smash to
interactions with guest from the entertainment, sports and political world that
kept them coming back for more over and over again. By his side was a band
leader that brought the noise and the funk that was a smash night in and night
out. Above all else, he turned a setback in his mind and it made him into a
legend in television. Eleven days ago, he said good night for the final time.
On
Wednesday night, May 20 CBS “Late Show” host David Letterman signed off for the
final time giving a heartfelt thanks that left all those inside the Ed Sullivan
Theater and those watching on television wanting more.
The
68-year-old Letterman called the 6,028th and final show, “the most
important show of my life.”
The
show lived up to the 6,027 prior ones and then some.
It
began with the four prior Presidents of the United States, George H.W. Bush and
his son George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and the current President Barack Obama
echoing a famed saying by the late Gerald Ford, “Our long national nightmare is
over.”
During
his monologue, Letterman cited the infamous snub he got from NBC when
executives at the network stiff armed him as Johnny Carson’s successor for the
“Tonight Show” when he retired in 1992, giving the spot to Jay Leno.
“It’s
beginning to look like I won’t get ‘The Tonight Show,” Lettermen quipped which
drew a loud laugh from the audience.
He
also said in his monologue about now when he screws up that he will have to go
on someone else’s show to apologize.
Among
those in the audience for the final taping was Letterman’s wife Regina and
their son Harry. He included them both in his monologue by saying how the show
has, “been hard on my family. My son keeps saying, ‘Why does Daddy have to go
to prison?”
One
of the most famed segments on the “Late Show” was the Top 10 and the last one
that will never be forgotten.
The
final famed segment “The Top 10 Things I’ve Always Wanted to Say to Dave,” was
done by a star studded cast that were frequent guest on the show.
The
No. 10 spot was done by actor Alec Baldwin, who said: “Of all the talk shows,
yours is the most geographically convenient to my home.”
The
No. 9 spot was done by legendary journalist and executive producer and creator of
ABC’s “The View” Barbara Walters, who said: “Did you know you wear the same
cologne as Moammar Khadafy?”
The
No. 8 spot was done by comedian, actor, musician, producer and author Steve
Martin, who said: “Your extensive plastic surgery was necessary and a mistake.”
The
No. 7 spot was done by actor, comedian, writer and producer Jerry Seinfeld, who
said: “I have no idea what I’ll do when you go off the air. You know, I just
thought of something: I’ll be fine.”
The
No. 6 spot was done by actor, comedian, screenwriter and film producer Jim
Carrey, who said: “Honestly, Dave, I’ve always found you to be a bit of an over
actor.”
The
No. 5 spot was done by actor, screenwriter, comedian, producer and director
Chris Rock, who said: “I’m just glad your show is being given to another white
guy.”
The
No. 4 spot was done by actress, comedian and producer Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who
said: “Thanks for letting me take part in another hugely disappointing series
finale.”
The
No. 3 spot was done by five-time NFL MVP, former Indianapolis Colt and current
quarterback for the Denver Broncos Peyton Manning, who said: “Dave, you are to
comedy what I am to comedy.”
The
No. 2 spot was done by actress, author, writer, producer, author and comedian
Tina Fey, who said: “Thanks for finally proving men can be funny.”
The
No. 1 spot for Things I’ve Always Wanted to Say to Dave was done by actor and
the first guest he ever had back in 1982 and his final guest Bill Murray from
the night before, who said: “Dave, I’ll never have the money I owe you.”
The
show was closed by frequent musical guest and favorites to the “Late Show” the
Foo Fighters, who performed the song “Everlong.” The band tweeted after the
show, “ThanksDave @Letterman,” who were called jokingly by Letterman “The
Fighters of Foo.”
When
an epic show, which became a national institution to the conclusion of our
days, the question is what will we most remember? What is something that stands
out in your mind?
For
me, what I will remember about “The Late Show” with David Letterman is the
entrance that he made each night. When you look closely on the stage at the
start of each show, you see someone running in a straight line across the set
and onto the stage. That is Letterman making his entrance onto the stage,
showing how even someone at that age even if it is just for a moment can move
like lightning.
What
I will always remember about this show is the “Stupid Pet Tricks” segment. The
show had an unbelievable way of showing an animal doing things that make you
fall flat on the floor and busting out laughing. The one that I remember the
most is one from a few years back when he showed a monkey sneezing. It was
simple and something that you would think is normal, but when I saw it, I could
not stop laughing and each time I rewound it on my television to see it again,
it was funnier and funnier each time.
What
Letterman showed in his long successful career is the ability to turn a setback into a
triumph.
As
mentioned earlier, he was passed over as Carson’s successor for the “Tonight
Show.” He bolted from NBC to CBS. He turned the Ed Sullivan Theater, which was
a dumped into one of the most famous spots in New York City.
Joining
him on this journey was his musical sidekick and good friend Paul Schaffer and
the CBS Orchestra, who brought their A game to the stage each and every night,
especially when they jammed with some of the musical guest.
He
entertained us for 60 minutes five late nights a week. He had a way of
interviewing entertainers, athletes and politicians, where they let the
audience into their lives that made them comeback time and time again. He made
jokes that made the audience laugh and think at the same time. More than
anything, “Late Night” and “The Late Show” with David Letterman was done in a
way that was fun, enjoyable and cleaver.
David
Letterman born in Indianapolis, IN proved the old saying about New York. If you
can make it here, you can make it anywhere. He without question made a great
name for himself in the “Big Apple” and all those that watched from the five
boroughs to across the United States are very thankful.
Information
and quotes are courtesy of 5/20/15 11:35 p.m. “The Late Show” with David
Letterman on WCBS; 05/21/15 New York Post article “Dave Goes Into
the Good Night,” by Michael Starr and Antonio Antenucci and 05/21/15 Daily News article “Dave Finale A
Perfect 10,” by Don Kaplan, Gianluca Cuestas, Bill Hutchinson Catilin Nola,
Laura Bult and Corky Siemaszko.
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