Meme’d From the Headlines: A Tribute to The Very First

David Letterman’s First Top Ten List, September 18, 1985…

Top Ten words that almost rhyme with ‘Peas’…..

10…heats
9…..rice
8…..moss
7…..ties
6…..needs
5…..lens
4…..ice
3…..nurse
2…..leaks
…and the number one word that almost rhymes with ‘peas’….
……..MEATS

There is no question David Letterman has been a huge influence on me. I have watched him and the show throughout the years, as much as I was able. Many a night racing home to see Dave’s monologue or catch the witty set-ups and knock-downs of a Jay Leno segment. Not to mention the seemingly out of control visits from the great Sandra Bernhard. Smart, funny, goofy, sarcastic and innovative. There should be newly invented adjectives for just describing Late Night with David Letterman. The show was a preverbal comedic stew of funny and Dave presented it as smooth and effortlessness as a Tony Bennet performance.

Dave is seamless. It was as if he was chatting with us in the hallway. Dave connected. He connected strong and in some cases either you loved him or hated him. Whatever side of the stage you’er on there is no denying his carbon footprint on this medium. Some performers entertain. Some performers light up the house. Some performers rise above all. Dave would be top of the list in the later. Not only did he rise above he also carved out a path for the rest. He took the role and pushed the limits. Just like Pryor, Carlin and Hicks he changed the way it’s done. Dave was quoted after Johnny Carson passed away …’all that came after Johnny including myself are just pretenders’. Dave knew the deal. He knew what he was doing and never put himself above any of it.

Louie Anderson said ‘doing the Late Show was like there is a joke going on…and then you find out you’re the punch-line’. All of us watching were in on it and for most of us we couldn’t get enough.
Now it has come to a close. It’s sad and sentimental but it still somehow feel about right. Our late nights just got a little quieter and maybe even less smarter too.

Here’s to you Dave…thanks for letting us be a part of the joke.