David Letterman By The Numbers: 33 Years Of Fun Facts & Figures
As David Letterman approaches his final broadcast of the "Late Show with David Letterman" on Wednesday, May 20, he has amassed an impressive tally of milestones throughout his more than three decades in broadcasting. Here are just some of those highlights from his illustrious career.
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, with 5,850 guest appearances
- The "Late Show with David Letterman" has had 4,214 broadcasts, as well as four primetime specials, and has run for 1,135 weeks, with approximately 14,082 guest appearances
Bill Murray
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.
- 12 appearances on “Late Night”
- 32 appearances on the "Late Show"
Emmy Awards
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
Stupid Tricks
Over the years, two of Letterman’s signature segments have been Stupid Pet Tricks and Stupid Human Tricks. The very first Stupid Pet Tricks segment made its debut on Letterman’s morning show, “The David Letterman Show,” on June 26, 1980, and the first Stupid Human Tricks segment premiered on “Late Night” on Oct. 3, 1983.
There have been a total of 126 Stupid Pet Tricks segments on Letterman’s late night shows:
- “Late Night”: 73 segments
- "Late Show": 53 segments
There have been a total of 89 Stupid Human Tricks segments:
- “Late Night”: 30 segments
- "Late Show": 59 segments
Top Tens
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.
- “Late Night”: 1,009 Top Ten Lists
- "Late Show": 4,605 Top Ten Lists
Paul Shaffer
The “Late Night” and "Late Show" theme songs were both written and composed by Paul Shaffer.
CBS will salute David Letterman and his legendary broadcasting career with “David Letterman: A Life On Television,” a 90-minute primetime special celebrating his more than three decades in television, on Monday, May 4 (9:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on CBS
