Thank You, David Letterman

Marilyn and Will left early yesterday morning and drove to NC to spend a week with her family. I will miss them, of course, but I am so glad they got to take the trip this year after having missed last Christmas.  Despite the separation of many miles, we were actually able to share in a great family moment last night.  Here is that story.

The presentation of the Kennedy Center Honors was broadcast on CBS last night.  I watched with my Mom here in Tampa while the rest of my family watched in Elkin, NC.  I always enjoy this particular show, which each year honors those who have made lifelong and remarkable contributions to the arts.  In the United Kingdom, artists like Elton John and Paul McCartney are knighted.  In the United States, we award the Kennedy Center Honors medal.  It is a big deal.  And last night one of the recipients was David Letterman.  David had always had a special place in our family.  I first became a fan when watching his hilarious but ill-fated morning show back in the early 1980s.  I loved his late night show and his quirky, often weird humor.  I was totally offended when NBC passed him by when Johnny Carson retired, and thrilled when CBS gave him his own 11:30 pm time slot.  His first show aired on August 30, 1993, which also happened to be our 7th wedding anniversary.  His guests were Bill Murray and Billy Joel, and Marilyn and I watched every minute of it.  We have been watching ever since.

David has always been unique.  You never quite know where he might go next. His interviews are never boring, and as Tina Fey said last night Dave is often at his best when you get the feeling he really doesn't like the person he is talking to. He made the Top 10 list into an art form, and introduced us to countless unknown bands and comics who went on to greatness.  He has hosted world leaders, and skewered pundits and the self-important of Hollywood.  The city of New York has often been a character on the show, introducing us to his neighbors (like Rupert Gee) and to the quirks of the city.  There has never been a talk show host quite like David Letterman.  Dave always wanted to be like Johnny.  As Jimmy Kimmel said last night, this generation all wants to be like Dave.  He truly has been often imitated but never duplicated.

We felt pain and grief when Dave had his heart attack.  We were with him after 9-11, when he was such a huge part of keeping the spirits of New Yorkers afloat.  We have seen him struggle with personal failure and we have seen him in trouble with the press.  I have had the privilege of being part of the studio audience at The Ed Sullivan Theater on 3 different occasions, and I loved every minute of it.  As the years have passed, our son Will has become a huge fan as well.  Our DVR is set to record 4 shows whenever they air in their regular time slot.  We record Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother each week.  We record The Late Show every night.  And more often than not we watch it together.  Dave is a part of our family.

So congratulations, Dave.  and thank you.  You have brought a lot of laughter to this household over the years, and laughter can never be over-rated.  And last night, even though my family was apart, we were able to celebrate with you.  As Ray Romano shouted from the stage as they honored you last night, "I love you David Letterman!" My whole family does.  We look forward to much more from you, Paul, Biff, Tony and the rest of The Late Show crew.  And as for the guy who did get Carson's job?  Well...I wouldn't give his troubles to a MONKEY ON A ROCK!!!