David Letterman Returns to ‘Late Show’ as Guest for First Time Since Leaving Show in 2015
In 2015, David Letterman stepped down as host of The Late Show after 22 years, and Stephen Colbert stepped into some huge sneakers as he took his place behind the enduring desk.
On Monday, Letterman returned to the Ed Sullivan theater to make his first-ever look as a visitor on Colbert’s Late Show, and was overwhelmed by love and cheering from an adoring viewers.
As Colbert launched Letterman out onto the stage, the group erupted into cheering and chanting the previous host’s title, all whereas Letterman beamed and basked within the adulation.
Letterman’s notable absence from having ever appeared on the present fed rumors of unhealthy blood between the 2 males — nonetheless there gave the impression to be nothing however camaraderie between the 2 late evening giants as they’d a pleasant, sprawling dialog that basically floated round one central level Colbert reiterated a number of occasions: internet hosting a chat present “is strange job a lot of people don’t understand.”
To this level, the pair dished on every part from the assembly they first had when Colbert requested Letterman for recommendation earlier than taking on the present, to locations the Ed Sullivan Theater the place they may conceal from their producers after they want a second of peace.
Letterman did not appear to come back on the present to advertise something particular — apart from to present a particular birthday shout-out to his spouse, Regina Lasko — and finally the dialog proved to be merely a pleasant perception into the legacy of the late evening legend and the affect he is had on his predecessor.
It’s additionally clear that there is part of Letterman that also longs for the stay vitality and uniqueness of the job itself. When requested what he misses most about internet hosting The Late Show, Letterman admitted, “I miss everything.”
“Mostly it’s fun. Very few things in life provide one the opportunity — and I can’t speak for you or to you on this topic — But for me, if you muck one up, 24 hours later you get to try again,” Letterman stated. “And that’s a pretty good device.”
“Then when you do something you’re really proud of, you think ‘My god, let’s do that again!’ And six or seven years later you have that experience once more,” Letterman quipped.
The emotional spotlight of the evening — not less than for followers of the previous Late Show host — got here towards the very finish of their interview when Letterman requested Colbert if he’d thoughts if he took a photograph behind the desk for previous time’s sake.
Without a phrase, Colbert instantly sprang up and moved out of the best way to let Letterman take his seat.
“This is very generous of you. Thank you, Stephen,” Letterman stated, later joking, “By the way, in my day, I never would’ve let this happen. I’m sorry. Thank you.”
“I’ve got a question for you,” Colbert stated. “Again, very few people know what it’s like to host. What do you think about my supplies [behind the desk]? Anything like what you had?”
“What, all this weed?” Letterman shot again, as Colbert broke into laughter.
The pair closed out the interview by recreating a selfie Colbert first snapped again in 2014, when he was a visitor on Letterman’s Late Show, earlier than he stepped down, bringing the complete saga full-circle.
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