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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