Letterman Says Good-Bye

        I was shocked Thursday night when Dave Letterman announced he was planning on stepping down from the Late Show sometime in 2015. He said he had met with CBS officials earlier in the day to advise them of his decision.
    As I think back on this move, I believe I am in a position where I have seen the late night format from its earliest program to the current state. During the black and white days of television, Steve Allen was the original host of the 'Tonight Show' on NBC and he was followed by Jack Parr. Johnny Carson followed Parr and set the standard for late night comedy and variety. It was Carson who opened the door for Letterman by bringing him back time and again for national exposure. Letterman was given a late, late show on NBC following Carson and was being groomed as the successor to Johnny, BUT when the time came Jay Leno was given the job and Letterman was left hanging..... Enter CBS.

      I worked for CBS and was with their affiliate in Sherman/Denison at this time. The network took advantage of all of its affiliate stations being at the Jerry Lewis Telethon in Las Vegas to make the announcement. A previous attempt at late night programming with Pat Sajack was not working out and CBS signed Letterman for the gig. He has grown comfortable with the position and even enjoys making joke about CBS and New York City politicians. It's the entertainment community that really embraces Letterman and they have provided some great moments in TV. From Farrah Fawcett to Madona, they have all been on the set with Dave...and who can forget the night Drew Barrymore bared her breast to Dave and the expression on his face?

       Dave scared the entire nation with his health problems over the years. He made fun of undergoing a colonoscopie and it has since become a routine procedure for all. In 2000 Letterman had by-pass surgery to his heart and friends like Bill Murray and Jerry Seinfeld filled in for him while he recuperated. 

      When he returned to the air Seinfeld was in the midst of a monologue and Dave simply walked out... Jerry turned to him and said, "I thought you died." It was one of the classic moments of the program.
    Thursday night Dave combined his time at NBC and CBS and said he had been behind the late night desk for 34 of his 68 years and it was time to hang 'em up. He has not always seen the same side of a political situation as I, but he has never failed to make me see the humorous side of it. Democrat, Republican, or Independent, we can all agree on one thing... Letterman has proved Johnny Carson right and he has been one hell of a late night host. Thanks Dave.

 Good Night Kids !!

UPDATE as of 4/10/2014:   CBS has named Stephen Colbert as the replacement for Letterman

     Colbert has been a regular on the Comedy Channel and before that was a writer & performer on John Stewart's Daily Show. Letterman announced last week he would step down sometime in 2015.