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"All right, that's pretty much all I got. The only thing I have left to do, for the last time on a television program: Thank you and good night."
This was David Letterman's final sendoff, the conclusion of a humble, 10-minute farewell speech in which he deflected praise onto the CBS executives who stood by him, Paul Shaffer and the Late Show band, everyone who works for the show, his family, and the fans. He delivered his final lines staring directly into the camera, his palms braced against his desk. Foo Fighters, dressed in tuxedos, then performed "Everlong," the same song they played at the end of Letterman's first show back from open-heart surgery 15 years ago.
The same thing can be said for Letterman's final show that can be said for the prolonged goodbye that took place in the six weeks leading up to it, and that is that it really couldn't have gone any better. When he said that all the tributes and montages and guests coming by to pay their respects was "over-the-top," he was speaking for himself. For everyone else, it couldn't have been more fitting and more appropriate. There were no traditional guests on last night's show. The time was instead filled mostly with clips memorializing the host's 33-year career. 10 notable stars were in the building, though, for the purpose of, you guessed it, counting down Letterman's final Top 10 list, which may have eclipsed his first as the greatest in the show's history. It will certainly go down as the most memorable.
Another touching moment came when Letterman paid tribute to his wife Regina and his son Harry. "Thank you for being my family, I love you both, and, really, nothing else matters does it?" he said. They were both in attendance along with Harry's friend Tommy Ribatto, whom Letterman introduced by name. It was just the type of absurd gesture no one else but Letterman would have made. Soak it in, Tommy.
It's odd that it's over now, and in the coming weeks and months and years, we're all going to realize how much we took Dave for granted when he was on the air. That's what happens when something has been part of your life day after day, year after year, job after job, relationship after relationship. Fortunately his exit wasn't sudden, and we were given ample time to remember him, but this doesn't change the fact that he is indeed gone. But before I really get carried away here, I'll go ahead and opt to honor Letterman's request regarding the praise that's been heaped on him since the countdown to his final show began:
"Do me a favor, save a little for my funeral."
Thanks, Dave. You'll be missed.
