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US President Barack Obama guest on The Tonight Show with David Letterman in September 2009. (Photo by John Paul Philo/CBS via Getty Images)
To arrange them in a row, the numbers collected David Lettermanone of the most famous presenters of American television (but, perhaps, of the world), almost impresses: 6028 episodes of his program – Late at night on NBC, then late show on CBS – 67 Emmy nominations, 12 wins.
Was born in Indianapolis On April 12, 1947, Letterman made his television debut in the seventies as a guest until he started his own show in 1980. During his long career spanning some forty years, through his living room, society and entertainment, his interviews have often made television history and they gave life to interludes that have remained indelible in the memory of the most devoted spectators. Letterman retired from the stage in 2015—to later do a Netflix special—but his style of presenting inspired the next generations—Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Seth Meyers.
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, during an episode of The Late Show with David Letterman. (Photo credit: ALAN SINGER/AFP via Getty Images)
The story of David Letterman
The move from Indiana to California coincided with Letterman’s television debut after some radio experience in his country. It’s right in Los Angeles in fact, to which he arrives in 1975, where he begins to gain experience: first as a comic book writer in comedy shopthen as the author of the series Starland Vocal Group Showuntil some talent scouts spotted him The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson they make him a permanent guest of the program NBK.
His first program received it in 1980. The David Letterman Show, which, despite being highly acclaimed by critics, closes after a few months due to low ratings. The conductor is transferred to the evening saddle Late Night with David Letterman, which becomes a successful program thanks to the enthusiasm and irony of Letterman, as well as irreverent questions asked by his guests. However, ten years later there is a break with the network, and ours goes to rival CBS. And here glory is crowned.
David Letterman on stage at the 32nd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Barclays Center in April 2017, New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
What year did The Late Show with David Letterman debut?
It was August 30, 1993exactly thirty years ago, when Letterman took up the study of the historian Ed Sullivan Theater From NY with his program, which entered the history of television and the state CBS, The Late Show with David Letterman. The conductor’s style is increasingly appreciated by the public and critics, as well as by many of his guests, who know that half an hour of sitting in a conductor’s chair late show it is invaluable for fame and career.
Some moments and some interviews will become part of the TV history books, most notably the episode in which he is a guest. Madonna, intending to embarrass the conductor in any way: light a cigar live, ask him to smell her panties and repeat the word f*ck 14 times. It was also memorable when Drew Barrymore showed breasts live when Roberto Benigni in every possible way tried to kiss him, and when the conductor confessed to his extramarital affairs.
How it changed TV and the end of the show
In 2014, Letterman announced that next year would be his year of saying goodbye to television and his highly successful Late Show. The last episode of his program will air on May 20, 2015. and in the United States alone, 13.76 million people watch television. The guest parterre is obviously the big event parterre and includes Alec Baldwin, Barbara Walters, Steve Martin, Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, Chris Rock, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Peyton Manning, Tina Fey and Bill Murray.
But, apparently, Letterman, who is 76 today, is not yet the time to retire: in 2018, his new program comes out on Netflix called No introduction requiredconsisting of 7 monthly releases released monthly featuring the likes of Barack Obama, George Clooney, Malala Yousafzai, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Ellen DeGeneres, Kim Kardashian, Robert Downey Jr., Dave Chappelle and Lizzo.