
 
 
 
 At this point, only David Letterman could get four of the five living U.S. presidents — Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush — plus one who’s no longer with us, to come together for a video tribute message on his final night. 
 
 “Our long national nightmare is over: Letterman is retiring.” 
 
 Watch video below, via CBS: 
 
 [Photo via screengrab] 
 
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 It's here -- David Letterman's last Top 10 List. 
 
 (Spoiler alert: Don't read on if you haven't seen the show yet.) 
 
 The host of CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" taped his last show before retirement on Wednesday, and it included the final installment of his celebrated Top 10 list, which has become a nightly staple over the past 30 years. He had some help from some of his best-known guests. 
 
 The topic was "Top 10 Things I've Always Wanted to Say to Dave." 
 
 Full coverage: David Letterman retires 
 
 10. Alec Baldwin: "Of all the talk shows yours is the one most geographically convenient to my home." 
 
 9. Barbara Walters: “Dave, did you know you wore the same cologne as Muammar Gaddafi." 
 
 8. Steve Martin: "Your extensive plastic surgery was a necessity and a mistake." 
 
 7. Jerry Seinfeld: "Dave, I have no idea of what I'll do when you go off the air ... you know I just thought of something. I'll be fine." 
 
 6. Jim Carrey: "Honestly, Dave, I've always found you to be a bit of an over-actor.” 
 
 Photos 
 
 5. Chris Rock: "I'm just glad your show is being given to another white guy." 
 
 4. Julia Louis-Dreyfus: "Thanks for letting me take part in another hugely disappointing series finale." 
 
 3. Peyton Manning: "Dave, you are to comedy what I am to comedy." 
 
 2. Tina Fey: "Thanks for finally proving men can be funny." 
 
 1. Bill Murray: "Dave, I'll never have the money I owe you." 
 
 Twitter: @scottcollinsLAT 
 
 DAVID LETTERMAN'S FAREWELL: 
 
 Why Letterman loves the Foo Fighters 
 
 Letterman retires: A brief history of the Top Ten List 
 
 Letterman's 33-year journey from cult hero to late-night institution 
 
 Bill Murray pops out of cake, leads singing mob for Letterman to stay 
 
 #ThanksDave: Chris Rock takes over Letterman's desk; Obama, Clintons pay tribute 

 David Letterman signed off CBS’s “Late Show” after more than two decades hosting the show. He’s joining the ranks of big names like Johnny Carson, Conan O’Brien and Jay Leno who’ve said goodbye to their shows. Here are the biggest laughs and most emotional moments from late-night finales. (Jhaan Elker/The Washington Post) 
 
 On Wednesday night, David Letterman — the longest-reigning late-night host in television history — officially ended his run on “The Late Show” with a historic final episode. 
 
 The 80-minute episode was packed with celebrity guests, video montages, flashbacks of famous sketches and much gratitude from the host, who thanked a long list of people who helped build his historic career. 
 
 Here’s a complete recap, starting with four presidents and ending with an emotional performance by Letterman’s favorite band, the Foo Fighters. 
 
 [David Letterman taught us to ward off celebrity stupidity. But stupidity won.] 
 
 11:35 p.m.: “Our long national nightmare is over.” Those are the words that kick off the episode, with previously filmed lines from George H.W. Bush; George W. Bush; Bill Clinton and President Obama. 
 
 “Letterman is retiring,” Obama adds. All of a sudden, Letterman appeared next to him: “You’re just kidding, right?” he asked. Cue faux-serious looks to the camera. 
 
 11:37 p.m.: Letterman walks out on stage to massive applause — of course, he can’t settle down the audience, chanting “Dave! Dave! Dave!” 
 
 “Stop right there,” Letterman commanded. “See, now what happens? We don’t have time for ‘giving gifts to the audience’ segment.” 
 
 11:39 p.m.: “I’ll be honest … it’s beginning to look like I’m not going to get ‘The Tonight Show,'” Letterman says. (Who had first “Tonight Show” reference at four minutes into the monologue? Collect your winnings.) 
 
 Lots of retirement jokes: When did Letterman know it was time to retire? When Todd, the cue card kid, “came up to me and said ‘For the love of God, Dave, I can’t write the words any bigger.'” 
 
 11:41 p.m.: A new segment: “Comedy We Would Have Done Tomorrow” includes jokes about Hillary Clinton and “Mad Max,” of course. 
 
 One downside to not having your own show anymore, Letterman adds: When he messes up, he’s going to have to go on someone else’s show to apologize. 
 
 11:44 p.m.: The hottest show when Letterman first started in late-night? “Keeping Up with the Gabors,” of course! (See, he really loves Zsa Zsa Gabor.) 
 
 Letterman also finds it suspicious that Elian Gonzales now decides he wants to come back to America — should Dave be offended? 
 
 11:46 p.m.: Paul Shaffer gets a shout-out: “My good friend Paul, more than a guy who’s on television with me every night, a great friend, best friend and a wonderful guy.” Letterman claims he and Paul are taking their show to Vegas with their white tigers. 
 
 Throw in a “Wheel of Fortune” sight gag, and that concludes the monologue: 
 
 I'd like to solve the puzzle. pic.twitter.com/b7RxanEGy5 — Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) May 21, 2015 
 
 11:53: Before we go any further, Letterman has a quick word to his replacement, Stephen Colbert: “I’m very excited, I think he’s going to do a wonderful job, and I wish Stephen and his staff and crew nothing but the best.” 
 
 Flashback time: Letterman over the years chatting with kids. He’s got a natural rapport, especially when making fun of their science projects. “The kids love me, ladies and gentleman,” he says. 
 
 12:04 a.m.: Final Top 10 list — the category is “Top 10 Things I’ve Always Wanted to Say to Dave.” It’s a celebrity-studded presentation: “I appreciate their time, their talents and their generosity,” Letterman says as the line-up began. 
 
 10) Alec Baldwin: “Of all the talk shows, yours is most geographically convenient to my home.” 
 
 9) Barbara Walters: “Did you know that you wear the same cologne as Muammar Qaddafi?” 
 
 8) Steve Martin: “Your extensive plastic surgery was a necessity and a mistake.” 
 
 7) Jerry Seinfeld: “I have no idea what I’ll do when you go off the air. You know, I just thought something — I’ll be fine.” 
 
 6) Jim Carrey: “Honestly, Dave, I’ve always found you to be a bit of an over-actor.” 
 
 5) Chris Rock: “I’m just glad your show is being given to another white guy.” (“You know, I had nothing to do with that,” Letterman shot back.) 
 
 4) Julia Louis-Dreyfus: “Thanks for letting me take part in another hugely disappointing series finale.” (Naturally, the camera panned to Seinfeld looking distraught. Letterman: “I had nothing to do with that either!”) 
 
 3) Peyton Manning: “You are to comedy what I am to comedy.” 
 
 2) Tina Fey: “Thanks for finally proving men can be funny.” 
 
 1) Bill Murray: “I’ll never have the money I owe you.” 
 
 Letterman goes down the line and thanks every single one of them — and seems most excited about Peyton Manning. 
 
 12:15 a.m.: “Tremendous to see those people,” Letterman says of his Top 10 crew. “What a thrill, and I can’t begin to articulate my feelings for each and everyone of them over the years.” He continues to gush about Manning. “Did you notice me standing next to Peyton Manning, it’s like we’re twins?” 
 
 12:17 a.m.: Flashback to one of Letterman’s most famous bits from June 1996: The time he took over the drive-thru window at Taco Bell. 
 
 12:27 a.m.: A taped bit about a day in the life of Dave — here’s what he does on a typical workday: 
 
 Rolls up to the Ed Sullivan Theater in a chauffeured SUV wearing cargo pants and carrying a duffle bag. 
 
 Meets with executive producer Barbara Gaines, who chats about the guests coming up for the night. 
 
 Lots of meetings and ringing phones. 
 
 Apparently goes to the gym, then sits back and throws peanuts into a glass of water in his office. “You know what I’m going to devote the rest of my life to?” he asks the person behind the camera. “Social media.” 
 
 Monologue rehearsal. “How come when Bieber crashes the high school prom it’s cool, when I do it, it’s creepy?” 
 
 More show prep: Letterman watches White House correspondents’ dinner footage to get ideas for jokes. 
 
 Quick rundown of the show in a conference room — Paul Shaffer briefly crashes. 
 
 Dave runs on stage for the show. 
 
 David Letterman saying goodbye. (Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS) 
 
 12:37 a.m.: Letterman gets serious and runs down his list of thank-yous. 
 
 “The last six weeks, it’s been crazy. People have been saying lovely things about us and it’s really been over the top. I can’t tell you how flattering, embarrassing and gratifying it has all been,” he says. 
 
 “We’ve done over 6,000 shows,” he continues. “I was here for most of them — and I can tell you a pretty high percentage of those shows just absolutely sucked. And also in light of all of this praise, merited or not, do me a favor: Save a little for my funeral.” 
 
 He recalls visiting the Ed Sullivan Theater when he came to CBS, which was a total dump — it was crawling with rats and not fit for human consumption, Letterman swears. He thanks everyone who turned it into the beautiful theater it is now. 
 
 To CBS Corporation CEO Les Moonves: “This man, over the years, has been a friend to the show, he’s been very supportive of the show and he’s been more than patient with me. And if this was a printed sheet of paper, you could underline ‘patient’ several dozen times. So I would like to thank Mr. Moonves for that support.” 
 
 Outside the theater on Wednesday. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images) 
 
 He thanks all the behind-the-scenes people: Props, audio cameras, wardrobe, makeup, etc. “These people, night after night, have put up with my nonsense and taken care of not just me but everybody on the show.” 
 
 More gratitude: The staff, the researchers, the talent coordinators, segment producers, producers, people in the control room. (He asks them to keep it to just three drinks for the last night.) 
 
 The writers: “I have been blessed and lucky to work with men and women who are smarter than I am and funnier than I am and I have always been interested in doing the show that the writers have given me. These people that I collectively have just now mentioned and introduced, believe me, this is absolutely the truth, deserve more credit for this show than I ever will. Thank you to all of those people.” 
 
 Even more thanks: Announcer Alan Kalter; Biff Henderson; the band; and his good friend, “as good a friend as you can have in life,” band leader Paul Shaffer. “It’s so obvious every night and again tonight that they are so much better at their job than I am at my job.” 
 
 12:42 a.m.: Letterman thanks his beloved mom, a frequent guest. His mom’s response when he invited her on the show for the first time: “You have a show?” 
 
 He thanks his wife, Regina, and 11-year-old son, Harry. They’re in the audience, a rare scene — the audience gives them both a standing ovation. “Look at that kid!” Letterman beams. “Thank you for being my family. I love you both. And really, nothing else matters, does it?” 
 
 12:44 a.m.: Now, time for the fans: “The people who watch this show, there’s nothing I can do to ever repay you. Thank you for everything. You’ve given me everything. Thank you again.” 
 
 The Foo Fighters perform (Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS( 
 
 12:45 a.m.: Foo Fighters time. 
 
 “These people saved my life,” Letterman says of the band, recalling the days of his open-heart surgery. He requested the band on his first episode back to play a song that was especially meaningful to him during his recovery (“Everlong”), but it turned out they were on tour in South America. But then they canceled the tour — and made it back in time to play the song. “Happily, ever since, we’ve been joined at the hip. God bless you gentlemen,” he says, gesturing to Dave Grohl and the band. 
 
 “Alright, that’s pretty much all I got,” Letterman concludes. “The only thing I have left to do, for the last time on a television program: Thank you. And good night.” 
 
 With that, the band launches into “Everlong,” while a montage of Letterman scenes from the last 33 years plays on the screen. 
 
 
 
 David Letterman gets a standing ovation from the audience. (Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS) 
 
 On May 20, David Letterman hosted his last show, ending a 33-year career on late-night television. Here are some of his top moments from CBS's "The Late Show with David Letterman" and NBC's "Late Night." (Jayne W. Orenstein/The Washington Post) 
 
 READ MORE: 
 
 – David Letterman’s friends, enemies and frenemies through the years 
 
 – Stephanie Birkitt has been written out of Letterman’s ‘Late Show’ history, and it’s a damned shame 
 
 – David Letterman retires: Here’s the most important thing that happened to him every year of his career 
 
 – Top 10 parenting lessons I learned from David Letterman 
 
 – Here’s what happened the moment David Letterman announced his retirement 
 
 — Stephen Colbert is trying to find the real Stephen Colbert before ‘The Late Show.’ How’s it going? 

 NEW YORK (AP) — David Letterman ended his 33-year career as a late-night television host Wednesday, ushered into retirement by four presidents who declared "our long national nightmare is over" and saying there was nothing he could ever do to repay his audience. 
 
 A fan holds a sign outside the CBS "Late Show with David Letterman" at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Letterman signed off Wednesday after 33 years and 6,028 broadcasts... (Associated Press) 
 
 A fan takes a cell phone photo outside The Ed Sullivan Theater during the last taping of the "Late Show with David Letterman" on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Michael Fadgen signs a card with a giant pencil intended for David Letterman outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. After 33 years and 6,028 broadcasts of his late-night... (Associated Press) 
 
 People assemble outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York during the final taping of the CBS "Late Show with David Letterman," Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Letterman signed off Wednesday after 33 years... (Associated Press) 
 
 People with tickets to David Letterman's last show wait in line in front of the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. After 33 years and 6,028 broadcasts of his late-night show, David... (Associated Press) 
 
 A fan waits outside The Ed Sullivan Theater during the last taping of the "Late Show with David Letterman" on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 A woman takes a photo of the CBS "Late Show with David Letterman" marquis of the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Letterman signed off Wednesday after 33 years and 6,028 broadcasts... (Associated Press) 
 
 Audience members of the final taping of the CBS "Late Show with David Letterman" display their tickets as they leave the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Letterman signed off... (Associated Press) 
 
 People gather under the marquee of the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. After 33 years and 6,028 broadcasts of his late-night show, David Letterman is retiring. (AP Photo/Seth... (Associated Press) 
 
 An audience member of the final taping of the CBS "Late Show with David Letterman" speaks to a reporter outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Letterman signed off Wednesday... (Associated Press) 
 
 A picture of David Letterman hangs outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. After 33 years and 6,028 broadcasts of his late-night show, David Letterman is retiring. (AP Photo/Seth... (Associated Press) 
 
 The show ran 17 minutes over the usual hour, much of it because Letterman took the time to thank the people who worked for him. As the tuxedoed Foo Fighters performed "Everlong"— a song they first played on the "Late Show" when Letterman returned after heart surgery in 2000 — a long montage of photographs from three decades of television history zipped past on the screen. 
 
 "The only thing I have left to do for the last time on a television program (is say) thank you and good night," he said. 
 
 Letterman presided over 6,028 broadcasts on CBS and NBC, the transplanted Hoosier making Top 10 lists and ironic humor staples of television comedy and an influence to a generation of performers. True to his self-deprecating style, he said Stephen Hawking estimated that tenure delivered "about eight minutes of laughter." 
 
 Letterman will be replaced in September by Stephen Colbert, who he endorsed by saying, "I think he'll do a wonderful job." 
 
 The taped intro of President Barack Obama and former Presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush referenced President Gerald Ford's declaration to the country when he took office following the 1974 resignation of Richard Nixon. Letterman sidled up to Obama to say, "you're just kidding, right?" 
 
 Ten stars from Steve Martin to Tina Fey delivered the final Top 10 list of "things I've always wanted to say to Dave." Julia Louis-Dreyfus, with Jerry Seinfeld standing nearby, said, "Thanks for letting me take part in another hugely disappointing series finale." 
 
 No. 1 was Bill Murray: "Dave, I'll never have the money I owe you." 
 
 Letterman joked in his monologue that he's been on the air for so long that the hot show when he started was "Keeping Up with the Gabors." 
 
 "You want to know what I'm going to do now that I'm retired?" he said. "By God, I hope to become the new face of Scientology." 
 
 From his start on NBC's "Late Night" in February 1982, Letterman's comedy was about more than telling jokes. He attached a camera to a monkey's back, tossed watermelons off a roof and wore a suit of Alka-Seltzer to plunge into a tank of water. Celebrities used to being fawned over either clicked with his prickly personality or didn't, and when Cher called him a more profane version of "jerk," it became a memorable moment. 
 
 He shifted to CBS in 1993 when NBC gave the "Tonight" show to Jay Leno instead of Letterman, a slight he never forgot or forgave. 
 
 Letterman even began his final monologue Wednesday by joking, "It's beginning to look like I'm not going to get the 'Tonight' show." 
 
 The tricks subsided as Letterman mellowed with age and fatherhood. His audience welcomed him back after a heart bypass, listened as he became the first late-night host back on the air after the 2001 terrorist attacks and saw him acknowledge to inappropriately having sex with a subordinate. 
 
 "When I screw up now, and Lord knows I'll be screwing up, I'll have to go on somebody else's show to apologize," Letterman said. 
 
 With his monologue and Top 10 list, the final show kept the same format of thousands before them, although he gave no one the pressure of being a guest on the final show. Murray played that part Tuesday night. His last few weeks have been warmly nostalgic, with Letterman entertaining old friends like Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Oprah Winfrey. Anticipating the end, viewers sent Letterman to the top of the late-night ratings the week before last for the first time since Jimmy Fallon took over at "Tonight" and they competed with original telecasts. 
 
 Letterman, before saying goodbye, thanked virtually everyone involved with the show from CBS Corp. Chairman Leslie Moonves to his researchers and crew members. 
 
 "It's so obvious every night and again tonight that they were so much better at their jobs than I am at my job," he said. 
 
 Letterman remained dry-eyed throughout the broadcast, but several audience members who filed out of the Ed Sullivan Theater had tears in their eyes. 
 
 "He was guarded but you could tell it was really hard for him," said John Bernstein, who flew in from Los Angeles to attend the final taping. "You could see his emotion. But I think he's feeling a lot more than he's showing." 
 
 Rival Jimmy Kimmel paid tribute to Letterman by not making a fresh ABC show on Wednesday, when he usually competes in the same time slot. Fallon opened his Wednesday monologue by saying: "I want to thank you for watching this on your DVR after you watched Letterman." 
 
 ___ 
 
 Online: 
 
 http://www.cbs.com/shows/late_show/ 

 After 22 seasons, 4,262 episodes and tens of thousands of celebrity guests, it's no surprise David Letterman's departure from the Late Show is hitting a lot of stars pretty hard. 
 
 Actors, comics and musicians have been taking to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to share their congratulations and memories from their time on Letterman's show. 
 
 WATCH: David Letterman Gives Emotional, Star-Studded Farewell to 'Late Show' 
 
 Some even shared stories of how the 68-year-old TV personality influenced their lives and careers. For example, Parks and Recreation star Adam Scott tweeted: "A good 80% of why I wanted to do any of this was to one day sit on Letterman's couch." 
 
 A good 80% of why I wanted to do any of this was to one day sit on Letterman's couch. — Adam Scott (@mradamscott) May 20, 2015 
 
 In the summer of 85 I discovered Late Night with David Letterman by accident and it blew my 12 yr old mind. — Adam Scott (@mradamscott) May 20, 2015 
 
 Without fail I watched every night & felt like I was the only person in the world still awake, that this insane show was made just for me. — Adam Scott (@mradamscott) May 20, 2015 
 
 It changed the way I thought about TV, defined what I found funny, and helped shape how I look at the world — Adam Scott (@mradamscott) May 20, 2015 
 
 
 
 Some stars didn't want to accept the reality of the situation. Jennifer Lawrence posted a photo begging Letterman not to leave. 
 
 #ThanksDave Late Show with David Letterman Posted by Jennifer Lawrence on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 
 
 
 
 Even his fellow late-night hosts encouraged their viewers not to miss his last episode. 
 
 
 
 Many celebrities just wanted to make it known that they appreciated all the laughs and good times from Letterman's long, groundbreaking career in late-night television. 
 
 This is a contrarian opinion but I love old Letterman more than young Letterman — B.J. Novak (@bjnovak) May 20, 2015 
 
 If Andy Kaufman's still alive, the final David Letterman show would be the time & place to reveal it. — Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) May 20, 2015 
 
 Watching last eps of Letterman - always a fan, never a guest- wish him the best. Btw Stephen Colbert @StephenAtHome you're a handsome man. — John Stamos (@JohnStamos) May 20, 2015 
 
 Thank you, Dave. Love you. ❤️ A photo posted by Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) on May 19, 2015 at 11:36pm PDT 
 
 PHOTOS: 13 of David Letterman's Most Memorable Celebrity Moments 
 
 20 years ago my first TV show was @Letterman. He has been my favorite since I was a kid. Every time was a thrill. Thanx, Dave. — Rob Thomas (@ThisIsRobThomas) May 20, 2015 
 
 Thank you @letterman for allowing odd comedians like me to go into pitch mtgs & say "But look what Letterman did in the 80s! And it worked!" — billy eichner (@billyeichner) May 20, 2015 
 
 My last HA HA with Dave tonight. #ThanksDave Posted by Oprah Winfrey on Friday, May 15, 2015 
 
 I'm gonna miss Letterman on television. I love that he gave me my start in comedy on The Late Show. From one stand up comedian to another. You had a great show Dave. You killed it. Great set. A photo posted by Dane Cook (@danecook) on May 18, 2015 at 9:52pm PDT 
 
 
 
 WATCH: ET's Top 10 Moments With David Letterman 
 
 Gonna miss this man something awful. #DAVE A photo posted by @sarahkatesilverman on May 20, 2015 at 4:15pm PDT 
 
 Fortunate to be on @Letterman a few times. From the beaded seat cover to the bike basket. Enjoy the next chapter Dave pic.twitter.com/pv1itVzCOI — Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) May 20, 2015 
 
 You'll always be my Secret Santa @Letterman Happy to show you my gymnastics anytime!! http://t.co/u9Kb8KutF3 pic.twitter.com/E2i2SHAXdo — Demi Moore (@justdemi) May 21, 2015 
 
 To my hero, David Letterman: You will be greatly missed in late night. Thanks for being so kind & generous to me over... Posted by Sean Hayes on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 
 
 
 
 WATCH: Bill Murray Pops Out of a Cake as He Says Goodbye to David Letterman 
 
 There will never be another @letterman. Many thanks for entertaining us with your sheer brilliance for over 30 yrs. @latenight #letterman #kingofcomedy #endofanerahttp://www.whosay.com/l/MHbaAiY Posted by Cary Elwes on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 
 
 Thank you @letterman for the laughs! You are the king of late night and will be missed. #noonelikeletterman A photo posted by Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) on May 20, 2015 at 8:25pm PDT 
 
 WATCH: David Letterman Take the 'Late Show' Stage One Last Time 
 
 Tonight is David @Letterman’s final show. What a wonderful, inspiring, hilarious, groundbreaking, amazing ride. #ThanksDave — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 21, 2015 
 
 Tonight is the end of an era. #ThanksDave Late Show with David Letterman Posted by Carmelo Anthony on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 
 
 Our wonderful city won't quite be the same without David Letterman. #ThanksDave Posted by New York Yankees on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 
 
 Thanks for all the years of 'Rockin' Robin' & letting Dad go wild, Mr. @Letterman. It was a joy & honor to witness. https://t.co/oecD3E4Jx0 — Zelda Williams (@zeldawilliams) May 20, 2015 
 
 Congratulations to David Letterman, who I now believe is beginning his third career in show business. — Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) May 20, 2015 
 
 Thank you @letterman #daveletterman @cbs for the memories! Late night will never be the same without you! #goodbyedave A photo posted by Puff Daddy (@iamdiddy) on May 20, 2015 at 6:02pm PDT 
 
 NEWS: Drew Barrymore Recalls Flashing David Letterman: 'It Was Scary' 
 
 Thanks for the joy and the escape Mr. Letterman. We sure will miss you. #legend @Letterman — Tony Hale (@MrTonyHale) May 20, 2015 
 
 You made it cool to be smart You made it cool to be witty This pic's truly a dream come true @Letterman #Letterman pic.twitter.com/ZmpJCbcp5S — Will Arnett™ (@arnettwill) May 20, 2015 
 
 Watching David Letterman as a teenager in Indiana changed my entire outlook on life. #thanksdavehttp://www.whosay.com/l/VHzaAlY Posted by Jim Gaffigan on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 
 
 Thank you @letterman #daveletterman @cbs for the memories! Late night will never be the same without you! #goodbyedave A photo posted by Puff Daddy (@iamdiddy) on May 20, 2015 at 6:02pm PDT 
 
 This truly is the end of an era, and it will be interesting to see how his successor, Stephen Colbert, does behind the Late Show desk. 
 
 In celebration of his long and beloved career, check out Dave's 10 best Late Show moments. 

 Conan O'Brien's message was clear, "Turn on Dave." 
 
 The "Late Night" host gave a heartfelt opening monologue about what David Letterman did to help his career, followed by encouraging his viewers to turn the channel to the "Late Show," Tuesday night. 
 
 NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images 'Late Night' successor Conan O'Brien and host David Letterman on May 4, 1993. 
 
 "Tonight is no ordinary night," O'Brien said to his studio audience. "In about 34 minutes David Letterman is going to air his final episode of late night television." 
 
 MORE: 'LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN' STARS RECITE FINAL TOP 10 LIST 
 
 He went on to explain how Lettermen helped him when his career was struggling after he was brought on to the show "Late Night." 
 
 No one wanted to be a guest on his show and he was worried it was going to be cancelled. 
 
 O'Brien said that Letterman being a guest on his show in 1993 "completely rescued me." 
 
 MORE: DAVID LETTERMAN SAYS FAREWELL IN EMOTIONAL 'LATE SHOW' FINALE 
 
 "If you have ever liked any silly or stupid thing that I've done on TV over the 22 years, you must know that it probably never, never would have happened if it weren't for Dave," the host explained. 
 
 teamcoco.com The Conan O'Brien show, as the clock strikes 11:35. Conan along with Patton Oswalt tells everyone to change the channel to the final episode of ‘The Late Show With David Letterman.’ CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images Late night talk show host Conan O'Brien chats with Dave when he visits the ‘Late Show with David Letterman’ May 17, 2012. Previous Next 
 
 Enlarge 
 
 O'Brien proceeded to tell his fans to turn on the "Late Show," and even had his guest Patton Oswalt tell everyone to change the channel while in white text "Turn on Dave" appeared on the screen. 
 
 ON A MOBILE DEVICE? WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.
– David Letterman started off his 6,028th and final late-night broadcast last night with an admission: "It's beginning to look like I'm not going to get The Tonight Show." He kept up his trademark self-deprecating tone throughout his final Late Show episode, joined by plenty of celebrities and old friends from the last 33 years. Some highlights, per the AP, Mediaite, and the Washington Post: In a pre-recorded segment at the start of the broadcast, four presidents—George HW Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama—echoed Gerald Ford saying, "Our long national nightmare is over." The 68-year-old Letterman kept the retirement jokes coming, with lines like "Next week I'll be Googling foods that improve prostate health" and "I hope to become the new face of Scientology." The final Top 10 list—"Top 10 Things I've Always Wanted to Say to Dave"—was read by 10 celebrities, including Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Peyton Manning, and Barbara Walters. "I'll never have the money I owe you," quipped Bill Murray, while Julia Louis-Dreyfus thanked him for letting her "take part in another hugely disappointing series finale." (See the Top 10 list in full.) Letterman thanked CBS, his family, the writers, the band, all kinds of staff members who "have put up with my nonsense" night after night, and finally, the fans. "The people who watch this show, there's nothing I can do to ever repay you," he said. "Thank you for everything. You've given me everything." As a tribute, Jimmy Kimmel aired a rerun to not "distract viewers" from Letterman's final show. Conan O'Brien went ahead with his show, the New York Daily News reports, but his opening monologue was a tribute to how Letterman rescued his career in 1993. At 11:35pm, he urged viewers to switch over to Letterman and the words "Turn on Dave" flashed on the screen. Click to see how celebrities said goodbye to Dave on social media.