This marks the final week The Late Show With David Letterman will be on the air with new episodes, bringing an end to over 20 years of nightly television tradition in the iconic Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York City, and a television career spanning 35 years. Having watched the show since it first arrived on the air, being a part of Dave’s studio audience has been on my bucket list for much of my life. So, it was time for me to make that happen. Last week, I flew to New York City for the opportunity and here’s what happened…
It seems that every TV show in the States as its own unique ways to get you into their studio audience. For Letterman, it starts with applying online. For more people outside the USA, this isn’t a viable option as it requires a US phone number (and the ability to answer it at any given moment). Famously, if selected, a staff member will ask a trivia question to ensure you’re a fan of the show, and then your ticket would be allocated. For the rest of us – as was the case for myself – it really came down to showing up on the day and trying your luck. Arriving early is always key and was no different here – after all, it would be a long way to travel to not get into the show.
With the box office opening at 930am, a line forms prior to this – it’s a discouraged practice, but given this was Dave’s second last week on the air, the desire for many was a little too much to hold back. Naturally, we arrived early and were amongst the first in line. From there, at 930am, staff take down your details and put you through something not unlike their job interview. Though they expressly say it’s a random selection, you can tell they’re looking for genuine fans who will bring as much enthusiasm to the crowd as possible. Having flown from Australia for the opportunity, we were lucky enough to be selected and after returning mid-afternoon for ticket allocation (which we’d later discover was “the last group”) it was time to go through the briefings from the crew and get seated. It was a good 40 minute process to make that happen, and once we got our seats (which, unfortunately, was back row of the balcony – but of course better than nothing!), the show kicked off pretty quickly.
Announcer Alan Kalter came out first to brief us, let us in on a few things – like the fact Dave didn’t like it when the audience stood for him (so we shouldn’t do that)… he played around with the crowd and then he introduced the band. A hilarious introductory video from Alec Baldwin was also played, which made the whole experience something akin to boarding an elaborate amusement park ride. I guess there is an element of fantasy they want to have about it all. With everyone from the stage managers (Biff!) to the producers being a part of the daily show, being in the room is getting to peak into the world that Dave has created for us in his decades on screen.
It was obviously an honour, too, to be sitting in such an iconic studio – the Ed Sullivan Theatre, famed by its TV appearances of Elvis and The Beatles. It really was a beautiful theatre, with a stunning ceiling, hidden behind all the lighting rigs. And they make sure to remind you of its history while you’re inside.
After the band had jammed for a while, we were first introduced to Paul Shaffer and then Dave followed not far behind. He had some all too brief banter with the crowd, talked a little about Mother’s Day and then within minutes the taping had begun. We enjoyed a monologue, his famous top ten list and some free Chocolate Milkshakes courtesy of his neighbours and F1 Car sponsors Steak and Shake, following his team’s second place finish over the weekend.
Two of the shows most frequent visitors were on hand tonight – Howard Stern, who hijacked the show from Dave, turning the interview on him, talking about Montana and trying to get a kiss. Then we were joined by 89 year old legendary comedian Don Rickles, who barely got a word in after Stern stayed behind. But it made for some great moments, and the words he did get in “I’ll get to you in a minute!” (To Dave), were hilarious.
Later watching the broadcast, a few short parts were cut, including banter about the networks during the top 10 list, and of course the time spent passing out the Milkshakes was rapidly reduced, but otherwise the show was pretty much exactly as we experienced. They have this all down to a fine art – after 22 years you’d expect no less!
As Letterman ran off with a quick goodbye to the crowd, not engaging with the guests as one might have expected, Rickles and Stern stayed on stage to talk with the crew. And, having had his time cut short by Stern’s antics, Rickles (who understandably remarked “that’s it!?”, which I’m not sure made the cut) asked if he could speak with the crowd. After humourly adding “if you knew Dave like I know him you’ll know he’s probably hiding under his desk right now!”, he said with sincerity, “I didn’t get the chance to say this on the show… But there’ll never be another David Letterman”. To which Alan Kalter replied, “and there’ll never be another Don Rickles”. I think they were both right there.
And like that, it feel like it was over as soon as quickly as it had begun. It was a surprisingly abrupt end to the taping, but the fact it’s the last weeks of the show seems to bring little different to the format. The nostalgia factor is there, but Dave will no doubt be treating every show the same until the very last one – and it will be very interesting to see what he does then. We hear Bill Murray, his very first guest, will be his last. Apt, no doubt.
From the interviews of us audience members in the morning, to the last words from Dave himself, the Late Show product is a finely tuned machine. Even Hello Deli’s Rupert G seems a part of the daily routine and fantasy world created over the last 20+ years, as he sells Late Show merchandise in the lobby as you leave. And it’s an iconic world we’re sad to see go all the way from Biff to Alan Kalter and all the members of the band. But I feel incredible fortunate to have been able to experience just before it comes to an end. Indeed, as Rickles said himself, there’ll never be another David Letterman, and it’s fair to say that there will be a big hole in the world of television without him.
The final week of The Late Show with David Letterman airs on CBS in the USA and Network Ten in Australia from Monday / Tuesday nights respectively. Check your local listings for exact times.
The author travelled to the USA at his own expense, and stayed in New York City courtesy of the fantastic Ace Hotel Midtown (20 W 29th Street).
