"I thought, 'Maybe it's time for me to make a change,' " said Letterman, who was then working in Indianapolis. "Then as I was going back to the airport, I saw these big fences down the median of the highway. I asked the driver what they were, and he said it was for the snow. I decided then that I'm not doing that. It just wasn't worth it to be that uncomfortable for the same amount of money."
Minnesota's loss. The nation's gain.
As Letterman signs off Wednesday night, we asked others to share some of their favorite memories of the broadcasting legend.
Chris Elliott, writer and performer on Letterman's old NBC show: He gave me my career. Everything stems from working for Dave. I haven't been on staff there for a while, but I've always sort of thought David was kind of a safety net for me, and now that safety net is gone.
Don Shelby, former WCCO anchor: After Amelia's and my appearance on the show, he sent me a note saying, without a hint of hyperbole, "This was the funniest show I've ever done." People still stop me and ask if I still have a gopher in my pants. The answer is always, "Yes."
Martin Zellar, frontman of Minnesota band the Gear Daddies: The night we were on [in 1991] was the day they announced that Jay Leno had gotten "The Tonight Show." Everybody tuned in to see what Dave was going to say or do. And of course when Dave came out, he immediately defused the situation. I think his first line was, "So … what's in the news today?" He always sort of had that Midwest bias that showed, and I think he probably liked us because we were obviously Midwestern guys and a pretty unassuming band.
James Corden, new host of CBS' "The Late Late Show": I learned so much in just sitting with him for 35 seconds. There is a formal informality, if you like, to his approach in dealing with you, and I felt so supported by him when we went to commercial or whatever. You can only learn from those guys. I wish I could have stayed there a month.
Larry Wilmore, host of Comedy Central's "The Nightly Show": Letterman created a whole different space for himself and comedy in general. He brought in ironic distance. His departure is kind of emotional to a lot of us guys in the comedy business, to be honest with you.
Jon Cryer, "Two and a Half Men": The first time I went on, [producer] Rob Burnett scared me by saying I'd better have my pre-prepared stories in line, because Dave will kill you if you don't. But he was a pussycat.
Jeff Garlin, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "The Goldbergs": Both times I did the show, I was a wreck. I was nervous. He's a hero of mine. I think he doesn't want to hear that. I think he's a genuinely humble man. The first time I was on, I said, "I don't think you know what this means to me," and he just nodded his head. He didn't want to talk about it.
Dan Murphy, former guitarist for Soul Asylum: I believe we played the show 10 times — maybe even 12? I always wore a long-sleeve shirt or jacket as Letterman kept the stage at 59 or 60 degrees. Literally, it was so cold that the [show's] band had hand-printed letter jackets with leather sleeves that said on the back "World's Coldest Band." Letterman would typically introduce us as "those nice kids from Seattle" and Paul [Shaffer] would correct him. It was sort of a sweet gag in hindsight.
David Crosby, Crosby, Stills & Nash: It's like a meat locker in there. Dave doesn't want people to see him sweat. We play acoustic guitars. We tune them in the dressing room. Then, when you get them in the studio, you can't keep them in tune. I liked Johnny [Carson] better anyway.
Eugene Levy, "SCTV": In the mid-'80s, John Candy and I went on to promote a show we were doing called "The Last Polka," and there were two characters we did called the Shmenge Brothers. I had heard that Letterman didn't like having to interview people as characters. But he did say yes. I was forever indebted to him for that.
Anna Faris, "Mom": It's such an honor to be invited on that program and walk out on that stage. He's in that beautiful suit, looking so handsome. It's terrifying and thrilling all at once.
Garrison Keillor: I was not a good guest. The moment I sat down on the couch, I felt like I was interviewing for a job I didn't want. And I'm glad I didn't get it.
