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US CHAT SHOW legend David Letterman brought the curtain down on a 33-year late night career last night – and former US presidents lined-up to give him the send-off he deserved.
But there were no tears…
No hugging, no learning.
George H. and George W. Bush, Bill Clinton – as well as current president Barack Obama were filmed repeating one after the other – “our long national nightmare is over”.
The last-ever ‘Late Show with David Letterman’ brings to an end an American cultural institution that has been watched by millions.
The host’s extraordinary career inspired a generation of comedians – including the likes of Louis CK, who wrote for the presenter, and Jon Stewart, who has also announced he will be leaving his late-night Daily Show later this year.
“Letterman is retiring,” Obama said, standing shoulder to shoulder with the 68-year-old comedian in a pre-filmed sketch.
“You’re just kidding right?” Letterman deadpanned, to a no-nonsense shrug from Obama.
Top ten
There was no shortage of star guests.
Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin, Bill Murray and Jim Carrey, and comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Tina Fey all showed up to perform the “Top 10 things I’ve always wanted to say to Dave.”
“Of all the talk shows yours is the most geographically convenient to my home,” Baldwin said – as the actors and comedians paid tongue-in-cheek tribute to the longest-serving of the nighttime US talk show hosts (he’s been on air since getting his first show on NBC in 1982).
“Thank you and goodnight,” Letterman said at the end of what was the 6,028th television show of his career, calling the tributes he’d received “flattering, embarrassing and gratifying.”
He told fans:
Thank you for everything, you’ve given me everything.
He also gave thanks to wife Regina and their 11-year-old son Harry – who sat beaming in the audience.
Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighters closed the show.
Includes reporting from AFP.
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Great presenter, great showman. The last of his generation.
The way the tapped his que cards on the table after a run of jokes…. A real pro.
David Letterman,not a patch on our Pat Kenny ….
Any clips I have ever watched of him on YouTube where he is interviewing somebody he came across as a depressed, unfunny, uncharismatic person, faking laughs, and being awkward for his guest. One of the most unlikeable famous people I’ve ever watched actually! Maybe American talk show hosts are generally less warm and deferential than they are over here, but Craig Ferguson seemed likeable. Or maybe the climb to the top is so cutthroat in America that it made him jaded and depressed, I don’t know.
That no bull persona was part of his act.Refreshing in an era when every other interviewer treats any celebrity as a deity.
how…. sounds like you’re describing Pat Kenny?
Liberal hack so happy to see the back of him womanising piece of crap.
Is his show even on TV over here?
It’s on that internet yoke Karol
My point is Joe “cant wait to see the back of him”.
Dont watch him then.
He left it late to be havin kids
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