“There’s not a man, woman or child in these United States of America who doesn’t enjoy a nice cold, refreshing beverage.” – David Letterman
They wouldn’t let me in to meet Dave this morning or even leave this letter for him, so I took a moment, paid my respects to the legend and dropped the letter in a mailbox in front of Times Square.
I’ve been saying that quote for 25 years – and it’s just as true today as it was the first time I heard Dave say it.
I’m in New York City today and it’s Dave’s last show so I thought I would go by the Ed Sullivan Theater to say farewell and good luck to my friend. With my bags in tow, I hiked up from Times Square to 54th Street and Broadway – it will be sad not see the iconic blue and gold Late Show with David Letterman marquee lighting up the block. It’s been there since my first visit to the Big Apple.
Dave and I started hanging out when I was about 13 or 14 – he spent a lot of time in my living room during the summers when I could stay up late. We don’t spend as much time together any more – I feel he changed, or maybe I changed. Who knows. And frankly who cares? None of that changes the feeling of sadness that I have today as an era comes to an end.
And what about Paul Shaffer? Maybe I should have written him, I guess he’s out of a job now too. He’s been there, donning his bizarre outfits, right next to Dave since the very beginning. I should have added a postscript to my note to Dave, “Please share my regards and best wishes with Paul.”
Dear Dave,
I came all the way from Washington, D.C. to personally say thank you for entertaining us for the past 30 years. You changed the landscape of late night television. Best of luck in all of your personal and professional future endeavors.
Thanks for the laughs and the memories,
Reed Sandridge
By the way, if you want a to see a vulnerable side of Dave that you rarely see, check out this interview with New York Times’s Dave Itzkoff.