The Ed Sullivan Theater, originally known as Hammerstein’s Theatre, is a historic theater in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Built in 1926, it was intended to accommodate David Letterman and his show, The Late Show. David Letterman returned to the Ed Sullivan Theater on Monday, earning him a standing ovation for his return. He was the longest-running late-night broadcaster in American history, as a writer, performer, and producer.
The Ed Sullivan Theater, located at 1697-1699 Broadway between West 53rd and West 54th Streets, is a 13-story brick building with a neo-Gothic interior that has been recently renovated to reflect its original 1927 grandeur. The theater is home to many historical events, including being the first show to have the Beatles perform in the US. The theater currently has about 400 seats, making it more intimate than a traditional Broadway theatre.
The modern Ed Sullivan Theater, built in 2015, has been downsized to 370 seats by 2015. The neo-Gothic interior is a New York City landmark, and it is now the home of Late Night with David Letterman. Most of America saw the theater from their family living rooms, but it is now a cherished New York landmark and has been a foundation for many historical entertainment moments in history.
In his return to the Ed Sullivan Theater, David Letterman shared several observations, including the theater’s transformation into a mall or Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive.
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I watched Mr. Letterman when I was in High School, back when he was with NBC and had all the people from his show doing parts like Biff and Chris Elliot and others. All the bits and humor he brought was amazing. As teenagers we loved his show. And as I grew older his show evolved as well. Spent 2 weeks in New York City and went to 2 taping’s and it was great. His dedication to US Military was superb. He hosted Fleet Week, and all POW’s and those who were awarded the Medal Of Honor. He never backed down from an interview, never soft balled it like some will do. His running a drive threw at Taco Bell, throwing footballs with Peyton Manning, it was all great. He broke the ground and barrier of Late Night hosting and performances. After Johnny Carson left, the break through for Comedy acts and Music was on Letterman’s show. But you know you are big when tv news stations and radios stations all over America play The Top 10 Countdown every day fro his previous nights show. It was a staple of life back then. Thank you Mr. Letterman for giving me joy, happiness, sorrow and reflection from your many years entertaining and informing us.
The band nailed the theme !! And the audience response was so appropriate .. this man was my late night guy for so long .. it was only after both Carson and Dave quit that I looked at any other late night guys .. now I watch them all . None are Dave I miss him .. thanks for this Stephen it felt nice I saved it till right b4 bed just like when I was a teen lol the band playing the theme song made it just that much better .. deep happy sigh 😊 thanks to both of you for the good memories 😊💜
Dave was the best. Started perusal him in 1983. I think that was pretty early in his Late Night show. From Larry “Bud” Melman, Chris Elliot as “The man under the stairs”, stupid pet/human tricks, the slap heard around the world, to Will Lee supporting The Pinheads on bass in Back to the Future what an excellent show, cast, characters, and time to be alive.
Seeing David letterman back in the Ed Sullivan theater: Maaaaaaan damn. For those of you don’t know, maybe you do, the Johnny David and Stephen are talking about is Johnny Carson who was a good friend to David and who said that David letterman should’ve been his rightful successor instead of Jay Leno.
I was raised by a single mother and when my dad died she developed a habit of drowning herself in wine every night. She would, on the daily, moan and groan about the mortgage and how she couldn’t afford it and if there wasn’t money for the mortgage we’d end up in section 8 housing. I prayed to God every night for her to find the funds for the mortgage, and most of the time, she did. Sometimes she couldn’t, and those nights, I watched The Late Show with David Letterman for comfort til I fell asleep. David Letterman was like the dad I never had, but he was on TV instead.
I was impressed to learn that Ray Ramano’s first appearance was on Dave’s show, and Dave liked it so well, his production company, World Wide Pants, is the reason we were able to enjoy Everybody Loves Raymond for 9 years. Ray didn’t like the title of show, too much attention on him, so he called Dave to ask him not to give the show that title. The first thing Dave said was, “How did you get my number?” Classic.
That is the welcome he deserves. Actually, I thought it should have gone a little longer, but… Love you, Dave. Total respect and what a huge kindness on your part to keep in touch and share with your fans like this. And, yes, wouldn’t it be nice if the audience got some? Big metaphor there, Dave, and a nice one.
I remember all those times when there was no youtube and TV was one of the few “windows” towards the States and I remember that on one of the secondary websites of our state television (RAI), at around 2 AM, there were David and his show. And I was perusal him every night I could, because he and his show were damn amazing. Good old times, a true legend who brought a piece of USA and a piece of New York in our houses too. Very Cool 🙂 There have been some epic crazy episodes we quite all remember in Italy like the one with Roberto Benigni.. David was keep saying (with his funny style): “Don’t touch me man!” because the guy had a very physical way to communicate with him 😂😂😂😂😂😂 Amazing. A true showman and a legend.
In 1982 I was a freshman in college and had broken up with my girlfriend. I was inconsolable and could not go to sleep easily at night before morning classes. Then I discovered Dave. Monday through Friday at 1:00 AM after Johnny Carson went off, this acerbic, non-traditional, silly talk show host made me smile and laugh and eventually I was able to get over myself and move on. For the next 30+ years Dave would entertain me (and us) and became the platinum standard of late night talk shows. He gave me a gift each night from 1982 until the day he hung ’em up without ever asking anything in return. For that I say…. THANKS DAVE!
Dave was my comedic hero and sanity savior throughout my professional career working afternoons at the Detroit Free Press. His amazing show with Paul and the band, the guy under the stage (Chris Elliot), stupid pet tricks, top 10 lists, amazing break-through musicians he helped launch, Larry Bud Melman, his flirty routine visits from Teri Garr, re-launching the career of and attention to Darlene Love, viewer mail and the countless trip into the audience for a variety of reasons. God bless you always, my dear cosmic friend Dave!
Letterman is clearly the revered elder statesman for the current late night hosts. His welcome here along with Seth, inviting him to the Late Show for the 40th anniversary and his reception at both just prove that. In the long run of the late night wars, Letterman is the clear winner and the guy with the staying power.
Ive thought this for at least 5 years now, but it would be beyonnnnnnd overdue if for the YouTube clips of interviews and just from the previous night’s show in general, if they were numbered or ordered in some way or another, I just at this point have intuitively went from clip to clip and usually am right but it’s super frustrating you have no idea if you’re perusal the beginning of the interview or the end or middle. Just this change would go a long way. Love the show for 30 something years now, it was so great seeing Dave back!
I remember perusal episodes of the late show with Dave in my early 20s at 1am over here in the UK. Loved his humour and banter with Paul schaffer. I remember the George w Bush What segment and the Martha Stewart ongoing joke that Dave was going to hire a van to pick her up from prison 😂 I wish this show was shown in the UK again.
⚠ Hahaha he looks like Moses – I think he would look a lot younger without his beard.⚠ Remember his “Stupid Pet Tricks” edition? The “news clips” and Shafer and the band? Miss it in the late 70s I think and 80s! I remember coming home from work late at night 11:45pm and perusal him! The good ol days!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahahah
“My Next Guest certainly needs no introduction…” So let’s introduce him 😂. Is it just me, or is that saying always used just before an actual introduction? Look forward to the nightly monologue and guest clips each night. It’s part of my ritual Stephen Colbert is the best. David Letterman isn’t a nobody either. Legend, lots of teen and young adult memories of Late Night skits.
I remember going to a buddy’s occasionally at lunch in high school to watch a vhs recording of the previous night’s Late Show. It was so amazing/enthralling to me as we only had two local websites where I lived and nothing like Late Night. Other than perusal Python on the provincial network when I was younger, nothing else on tv played to my love of the absurd.
Since May 20th, 2015 I have not tuned in to watch CBS at 11:35pm. When Dave retired, I was 36 and a fan for 28 straight years. I retired with him. I watch clips now and then and know I am missing absolutely nothing with the state of late night these days. Pale imitators. The Late Show was Letterman. Then, now and forever. THE GOAT.
Interesting how Dave congratulated Colbert on the great success of the show but not the content or quality. Dave wasn’t so political and I’ve seen him talk about how entertainment needs to be a broadchurch. He’s right, but in this day and age it’d seem strange to ignore the way Democracy is being destroyed.