I cried last night when Eddie Vedder embraced David Letterman after he finished his knock-out song about domestic violence. Two of my favorite men in the world were standing before millions truly expressing their feelings about their friendship. I cried with Norm McDonald when he said goodbye to Dave. The careers David Letterman so graciously helped is huge. Thank you Dave, for all the joy and laughter you gave us as we watched them grow as performers.
Follow me below after the guitar pick.
I "grew" into an adult with David Letterman. I'm older than Dave but I feel he has given me life lessons that go far beyond our ages.
One of the most valuable thing he gave me was laughter when I had Rocky Mountain Spotted Tick Fever. All I could do was drag myself from the bed to the sofa to watch television. My real watching started with the "Dave" show. He made me laugh and laughter is such good medicine. I told my daughter that for that period of time, I improved every night.
Dave's acerbic style and his self-deprecating humor was what I needed them. I need to enjoy silly shit. And if you want "silly", you will get it with Dave. Who can forget the "velcro incident"? And throwing things off the buildings?
On the other hand, I've seen him take down politicians while making them laugh. I believe that most politicians and radio "hosts" (I'm talking to you, Billy O'Reilly) covet a spot on his show because they know thinking folks watch and listen to Dave's take on the state of our America. Not that thinking folks give a rat's ass about BOR but it made for good 'theatre'.
I've been watching him religiously because in my heart of hearts, I hope he is pulling a big trick on us and will announce he's kidding about retirement.
His heart problems scared the nation. The most wonderful people called to volunteer to host while he was away. Even with their humor and reassuring spirits, we were still scared for Dave. The night he brought on the surgical team who saved his life is one of the highlights of his show.
His closing the show for 9/11 was the act of a true patriot. The night he came back, Keb Mo sang "America, the Beautiful". I bawled like a baby. We lost 3k+ plus citizens and Dave paid the best tribute to their lives, as he could.
He paid the salaries of his staff when the writer' strike was on. I didn't hear about other late night hosts doing the same.
His nightly takedowns of the criminals who started the war are legendary. No one else can smile and stab a crook between the shoulders like Dave. No one else has the nerve and skill to put the in their place, only if it is a one-liner.
Another skill Dave has is letting each and every musician they had their best performance on his show that night. His genuine appreciation for their talent always is pleasing. Once Natalie Merchant, one of his favorite singers/songwriters, appeared one night and he was so taken by her performance, he asked her back for the next night. Someone got bumped that night but seeing it was Natalie Merchant, I'm sure they didn't mind. The best performance of "Trouble in Mind" was Lori Winger's playing it on her cello. I had goose bumps from head to toe listening to the melody and watching Dave's expression while she played. Who KNEW she played like that?
He paid the salaries of his staff when the writer' strike was on. I didn't hear about other late night hosts doing the same.
Dave, I'm going to miss you. A huge chunk of my life is gone. What will I do at night? Who will I laugh at? Tom Hanks won't put on another performance like he did last night. Billy Crystal will never be that funny again on another show. Bob Dylan appears tonight and I PRAY that he talks as well as sings.
I guess my favorite laugh is when Dave talks about "that thing" on Donald Trump's head. It has never failed to get me laughing and sometimes I actually roll on the sofa while doing it. I've never liked LMAO and ROFLMAO. I roll on the sofa. Never in the dog hair on the floor.
Dave, you can't go. You just can't.