David Letterman bows out as host of The Late Show tonight after 22 years on CBS.
With Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel the new kings of late night television in the States, Letterman still manages to bow out at the peak of his powers and much secrecy surrounds the line-up of his last ever show.
First, we take a look at five unforgettable moments from The Late Show down through the years.
5. The first talk show broadcast after the events of September 11th, 2001
Letterman’s haunted monologue took place eight days after the terror attacks on New York in 2001. The clearly shaken host pays tribute to Mayor Rudy Giuliani, whom he calls, “the personification of courage.”
https://youtu.be/DBLgp1qTCTg
4. Future Islands perform Seasons (Waiting On You)
“I’ll take all of that you got!”
It’s not often you saw Letterman with his socks well and truly blown off by a musical guest, but this – from 2014Â – was one of them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ee4bfu_t3c
3. Drew Barrymore flashes her boobs at Dave for his birthday
What more needs to be said?
2. Sacha Baron Cohen appears as Borat, makes the host very uncomfortable
“I like to take photograph of ladies while they make toilet.”
Awkward, but brilliant, television.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz3PMfADPdQ
1. Joaquin Phoenix shows up (but fails to show up)
In January 2009, shortly after Phoenix announced that he was quitting acting, he appeared on The Late Show and mumbled his way through a ten minute segment in which Letterman is clearly uncomfortable. Squirmy, if captivating, telly.
https://youtu.be/RRb_3hCa72Y
The explanation came a year and a half later.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
