Today marks David Letterman’s final show. Growing up in Indianapolis, there have been
two comedic constants in my life: The
Bob and Tom Show (I listen every morning), and David Letterman. I have always thought about what life would
be like without one or the other. Now
that day has come.
I have always been a Letterman fan. I did enjoy watching Johnny Carson on The
Tonight Show, but there was something I loved about Dave’s sarcasm, irreverence
and pure genius that always held a soft spot in my heart. Lots of people can be funny, tell a joke or
hone a monologue. But coming up with
Stupid Pet Tricks, a suit made of Velcro and elevating Rupert Jee to
“stardom”? That’s once
in-a-lifetime.
During the Leno/Letterman days it was an easy choice
for me. When Jimmy Fallon took over The
Tonight Show, my friends would ask if I had switched to Jimmy. My answer?
“No.” I like Jimmy and think he
is very talented, but in a different way.
He’s a great impressionist and singer, and is very outgoing and
social. But my heart will always be with
Dave. I’m a sucker for sarcasm and smart
stupidity. Plus, I knew he wouldn't be
on the air forever. A time would come
when he would retire. I had to savor him
while he lasted.
While attending the 2014 Final Four in Houston, I had
that same thought as I got ready for bed in my hotel room. As customary when I’m at a hotel, I usually
stay up a bit later to flip channels and, of course, turn on Letterman. Then I heard the words I had dreaded for
years – Dave was retiring in 2015.
What!? I had been telling people
that for years and now it was reality.
Dave really was going off the air!
Oh, the humanity!
At first, you live in denial. It won’t really happen. Life goes on as usual. Thanksgiving comes and you guess what pies
Dave’s mom made. Christmas is next and you
watch Jay Thomas try to knock a meatball off of the top of a Christmas tree and
listen, once again, to his Lone Ranger story, the greatest talk show story of
all time. In a later show you listen to
Darlene Love sing, “Baby Please Come Home.”
All is as it should be.
Time gets away from you and it’s April. Oh no!
Only a month left! I started
taping him every night. I did this
several years ago and although it was quite entertaining, it was hard to keep
up with every episode. (As you know, I
still use a VCR and the tapes pile up rather quickly.) A month, I can do. It’s been extra cool since all the guests
have been so great. And now the day has
come. I won’t tape the last show – I will
watch it live, as it should be watched.
I will have tissues handy. I will
lose some sleep, but Dave is worth it.
Thank you, Dave.
I have enjoyed watching you all of these years. I will miss you and Paul. I wish you happiness in your next endeavors
and that you enjoy your time with your family.
I hope to see you at the track!