David Letterman To Host Final 'Late Show'
NEW YORK (CBS) -- David Letterman is taking "The Late Show" stage for one last time.
Wednesday night's finale is sure to have everybody talking.
The Philadelphia region will be well represented in the crowd tonight.
CBS 3 Eyewitness News talked to several people from the area who made the trip up to witness television history.
PHOTOS: David Letterman's Greatest Guests Through The Years
The stars came out tonight to help send off David Letterman and why not, he's interviewed thousands of celebrities over the years.
But Letterman is also known for making the average guy famous.
Rupert Jee is the owner of Hello Deli. It's just around the corner from the famous Late Show marquee at the Ed Sullivan Theater at West 53 Street and Broadway.
Rupert became a bit of a household name through his numerous appearances on Letterman.
He shared his thoughts with CBS 3's Todd Quinones about this end to an era.
"It's a sad day for me. Twenty-two years of fun is suddenly coming to an end. I was hoping it would be at least another 23, or 24 years," said Jee.
The line for fans to get in wrapped around Broadway to West 54th Street.
Fans lucky enough to get tickets are conflicted.
"I'm glad to be here for it and he's going to be very missed that's for sure," said Brian Lopinto.
"So excited to be here and I think it's a little sad too," said another fan.
One couple made the trip up from Medford, New Jersey.
The guesses are flying as to what is going to happen tonight on David Letterman's last show.
"I'm hoping to see some big celebrities, some great music and send Dave out on a high note. Don't want him to go, we're going to miss him," said Dan Farrelly of Clifton Heights, Pa.
Tom Briglia from Linwood, New Jersey didn't score tickets to see Letterman's historic 33-year run as a late night host end, but he's got a great view of the side entrance where all the stars have been arriving.
As of May 20, 2015, there will have been 6,028 broadcasts of Letterman's late night talk shows. "Late Night with David Letterman" had 1,810 broadcasts and ran for 595 weeks and The Late Show with David Letterman has had 4,214 broadcasts, as well as four primetime specials, and has run for 1,135 weeks.
Bill Murray was the first guest on the premiere broadcasts of both "Late Night" on Feb. 1, 1982 and "The Late Show" on CBS on August 30, 1993. As of May 20, 2015, he will have appeared on Letterman's late night talk shows 44 times.
The "king" of "Late Night" appearances was sportscaster Marv Albert, with 73 to his credit. Regis Philbin holds the title of "Most Late Show Appearances," with a total of 136.
The very first Top Ten List, "Things That Almost Rhyme with Peas," was presented on "Late Night" on Sept. 18, 1985. In 33 years, Letterman will have presented 4,605 Top Ten Lists on his late night programs.
Over 33 years, Letterman's talk shows have received 16 Emmy Awards and 112 Emmy Award nominations. "Late Night" won five Emmy Awards and received 35 Emmy nominations. "Late Show" won nine Emmy Awards and received 72 Emmy nominations. Letterman's 1980 daytime program, "The David Letterman Show," earned two Emmy Awards and five Emmy nominations.
There will be some big surprises and memorable moments tonight plus Dave's final Top Ten list.
Catch Dave's last Late Show at 11:35 p.m. tonight on CBS 3 immediately following Eyewitness News at 11 p.m. If you're setting DVR, just a head's up -- the show runs tonight until 12:55 a.m.
