CBS is ramping up its preparations for David Letterman’s final Late Show episode, starting with a tribute special for the longest-running late night host in TV history.
The 90-minute special, David Letterman: A Life On Television, will air on Monday, May 4 at 9:30 p.m. Ray Romano, whose Everybody Loves Raymond series was produced by Letterman’s Worldwide Pants, will host the show.
Romano will introduce highlights from Letterman’s incredible career as a late night host, which began in the ‘80s. Many of Letterman’s best interviews with pop culture icons, sports stars and world leaders will be included. There will be a highlight reel of the best Top Ten Lists and Stupid Human Tricks sketches. CBS will also look back on Letterman’s most poignant moments, specifically his first broadcast after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
After guest hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Letterman started his career as a regular talk show host in 1980 with The David Letterman Show, which was only on NBC briefly. He then found a much better home for his wacky humor during late night, hosting NBC’s Late Night from 1982 to 1993. Then, he moved over to CBS and has been hosting the Late Show since 1993. Over 33 years, he has hosted over 6,000 late night talk show episodes.
Letterman’s final episode will air on May 20. His last guests will include George clooney, Robert Downey Jr., Don Rickles, Bill Murray, Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Tina Fey, Steve Martin, Jerry Seinfeld and many, many more.
Stephen Colbert will be taking over for Letterman later this year.
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