It was a bittersweet farewell for David Letterman, as fans and friends filled the Ed Sullivan theater Wednesday for the final taping of 'The Late Show.' Before his final monologue, the farewells began as the four living American Presidents, Barrack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George Bush Sr. announced to America that "Our long, national nightmare is over."

The finale included cameos by Jerry Seinfeld, Barbara Walters, Tina Fey, Steve Martin, Jim Carrey, Peyton Manning and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The final top-10 list, "The Top-10 Things I've Always Wanted To Say To Dave" was delivered by some of Dave's most frequent guests, including Alec Baldwin, Chris Rock and Bill Murray.

The show contained the obligatory highlight reels of Letterman's best vignettes over the years, including a tribute to my favorite Letterman recurring segment, "Stupid Pet Tricks." Letterman also "passed the torch" during the program, wishing his successor, Steven Colbert all the best and reassuring the audience that Colbert would do a "wonderful job."


Letterman's final musical guest was one of his favorite bands, playing one of his favorite songs. The Foo Fighters paid him tribute by playing "Everlong", the song they had played when Letterman returned to host the show after suffering a heart attack in 2000.

In the end, Dave requested the crowd save some of their applause for his funeral, then ending his 33 year run eloquently and simply. "Thank you and good night." He avoided the fanfare of his departure by exiting out of the establishment he helped to make famous. To avoid those waiting for him at his limo outside of his office, he slipped out the side door of Angelo's Pizza, and got into a waiting car to drive him off to whatever his future holds.

Thank you David Letterman, thank you for the years of laughs, tears and joy. Enjoy your retirement.

 

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