FAREWELL MR. LETTERMAN
Whether you like him or hate him, you have to admire a guy who has hosted a late night talk show for 22 years. He took the late night platform and changed it completely. He in many ways was the anti-talk show host, but it made for great entertainment and comedy. He will be missed by many celebrities, actors, musicians and other talk show hosts, so without further delay let's look back at the late night road he paved, give it up for Dave.
David Michael Letterman was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. Letterman attended Ball State University and graduated from their radio program. He began his broadcaster career as a newscaster and announcer for the college radio station. After graduating in 1969 Letterman became a anchor and weatherman for a local television company. He also served as a radio talk show host. Not bad for a kid fresh out of college.
By 1975 the Sigma Chi alumni was getting bored of being serious and decided to move to L.A to pursue a career in comedy. He would perform at The Comedy Store. Letterman had a DIFFERENT style of comedy, one that included being very sarcastic and dry. This is what made him DIFFERENT than his friend/ soon to be rival host Jay Leno. Where Leno's jokes were simplistic, Letterman's required thought and intelligence.
In 1978, Letterman got his foot in the door as he became a regular on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. This led him to having his own 90 minute morning comedy show on NBC called, The David Letterman Show. The show began June 23, 1980 and ended in October. The show won two Emmy Awards yet did not receive the ratings and was canceled.
However as Letterman once told Jon Stewart, "Do not confuse cancellation with failure".
And those words could not be truer. Letterman would go on to host the Late Night show on NBC from 1982 until 1992. After Carson retired from the Tonight Show, many believed it was Letterman's time, after all he was on right after Johnny. However NBC gave the job to Jay Leno and that was enough for Dave.
Letterman was as they say in sports the top free agent and believe me the teamor I should say company that got him, payed the price. Letterman signed with CBS to host the Late Show. A show that to this day competes with the Tonight Show.
According to Wikipedia:
"For Letterman's arrival, CBS spent $8 million in renovations.[59] In addition to that cost, CBS also signed Letterman to a lucrative three-year, $14 million/year contract,[60] doubling his Late Night salary. The total cost for everything (renovations, negotiation right paid to NBC, signing Letterman, announcer Bill Wendell, Shaffer, the writers and the band) was over $140 million."
However they cashed in. I don't think I have to tell you why. But I will.
The show was edgy, it was humorous, it did things you didn't believe could be done. Yes it's a late night show, but it's still television with an audience and he pushed the limits. And now the kid from Indianapolis is calling it a career.
One of the most memorable bits on Letterman's show is his Top Ten, however I don't want to duplicate a top 10, so to honor the man who changed the late night landscape here are my top 5:
TOP FIVE LETTERMAN MOMENTS:
5. David Letterman's First Late Night Show
 |
| Bill Murray was Letterman's First EVER guest |
4. Letterman's Appearances on Johnny Carson After Losing Tonight Show Gig
 |
| Letterman (left) telling Johnny (right) how he feels about being ousted by NBC. |
Conan on Late Show (2012)
Conan on Late Show (1990's)
Letterman pokes fun at Conan
Letterman Surprises Conan (5:15)
Letterman Returns to Late Night Show
 |
| Conan O'Brien and David Letterman Discuss NBC, Jay Leno and Life. |
2. Letterman's Interviews with Jay Leno
 |
| Leno made 15+ Appearances on Dave's Late Night Show. |
Jay Leno on Late Night with David Letterman
Leno's Last Appearance on Late Night
Leno on Late Night in 1989
David and Jay in 1983
David Letterman 9/11 Monologue
But hey if you still have doubts on the mans legacy, here's what other late night hosts have to say about Dave. One host is even taking the night off, (Jimmy Kimmel, who among other hosts have idolized the man)
Conan on Letterman:
A young Conan talks about Letterman
Conan tells Rolling Stone about Letterman's Legacy (no video)
Conan tells Charlie Rose how he plans to tribute Letterman
Fallon on Letterman:
Fallon talks about Letterman's Legacy
Fallon does his own Top Ten for Letterman
Colbert on Letterman:
Colberts quick little thank you
Stewart on Letterman:
Jon Stewart Bids Farewell to Dave (no video)
These are just a few, i'm sure if you watch interviews done within the past few months on Letterman's show, they may have said more. We could continue on and on with links to articles, videos etc but let's just finish off with saying:
Letterman WILL be missed, he IS one of the greats. In my mind if Carsons #1, then Letterman has got to be #2.
And to finish up this blog post I wanted to add in this feature:
DID YOU KNOW?
Six Facts you might have not have known about Dave Letterman.
1. Letterman was fired as a weatherman for unpredictable on air behavior
2. Letterman appeared as a pit road reporter for ABC Sports' tape-delayed coverage of the Indianapolis 500. Letterman was initially introduced as Chris Economaki in his job as a corner reporter. Letterman interviewed Mario Andretti, who had just crashed out of the race.
3. He hosted a 1977 pilot for a game show entitled The Riddlers
4. Letterman was a cast member on Mary Tyler Moore's variety show, Mary. Letterman made a guest appearance on Mork & Mindy (as a parody of EST leader Werner Erhard)
5. Dave made appearances on game shows such as The $20,000 Pyramid, The Gong Show, Hollywood Squares, Password Plus and Liar's Club, as well as talk shows such as The Mike Douglas Show.
6. The Truck that Dave used in 1975 to get to L.A, he still has.
Follow Me on Twitter: Bryan Tobin
No comments:
Post a Comment