Letterman Departs From CBS “Late Show”

There are those who will argue that the world of television hasn't suffered such a loss in nearly a generation, and they're right.

When David Letterman signed off CBS' "Late Show" for good Wednesday, he closed the book on more than his own incomparable career in late night. He closed out a broadcasting epoch that also encompasses his mentor, "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson, who retired with great emotion and ceremony in 1992. Dave also called it a day for Steve Allen and Jack Paar, who back in the 1950s broke ground as each took a turn as the host of "Tonight."

All that is part of Letterman's legacy - as well as a career-spanning total of "eight minutes of laughter," he cracked in his final monologue.

For anyone sad that Letterman is leaving the spotlight, he offered joking consolation, announcing that he and about-to-be-former bandleader Paul Shaffer would soon "be debuting our new act at Caesars Palace with our white tigers."

If only.

Dave's much-awaited finale was surprisingly unsurprising for such a momentous occasion. But it was clearly what Letterman wanted for himself: a wrapping up and an occasion to say thanks. He seemed to enjoy himself greatly in the process.

At the top of the show, he was showered with a two-minute standing ovation. Then some of his favorite celebs delivered the final Top Ten List. He presented a sampling of vintage clips, and a new filmed segment displayed a day in the life of Dave doing "Late Show" - fun, even instructive, if an odd idea since this is no longer the way Dave's day will go.

Near the end of the show, Letterman voiced appreciation for all the praise and tributes, "merited or not," directed at him recently, but added, "Do me a favor: Save a little for my funeral."

He thanked, in generous detail, his staff, crew and talent, who "deserve more credit for this show than I ever will."

He thanked his wife, Regina, and their son Harry, shown in the audience, telling them, "I love you both, and nothing else matters, does it?"

And he thanked his viewers: "There's nothing I can ever do to repay you."

With that, he concluded, "The only thing I have left to do for the last time on a television program: Thank you and good night."

Whereupon his by-request band, the Foo Fighters, pounded out a chosen song, "Everlong," over which a rapid-fire slide show of Dave's TV life flashed. The effect was riveting, and, maybe for the first time, there was no denying: Dave was gone. (Associated Press)