David Letterman signs off as Late Show host Wednesday May 20,2015

 

David Letterman said goodbye after 33 years and 6,028 broadcasts of his late-night shows on CBS and NBC

The final “Late Show” broadcast ran long, some 17 minutes over its usual hour, and CBS planned to let the show air without cutting it

Wednesday's finale marked 33 years on the air for Letterman; he started out on NBC in 1982 before moving to CBS in 1993 after NBC gave Jay Leno the network's most prestigious night-time slot instead of him

David Letterman(68) famed for his quick wit, sarcasm, offbeat humor, attitude and crazy stunts, hosted Hollywood stars and U.S. presidents in his final weeks of the show before handing the reins to comedian Stephen Colbert.



George Clooney appeared with handcuffs to ensure Letterman would not leave
 
Comedian Tina Fey stripped off her dress to reveal underwear saying "Bye Dave" and


President Barack Obama joked about retirement plans.


Actor Bill Murray, Letterman's first guest on the show

made a final appearance along with singer Bob Dylan on Tuesday night
.  



From his start on NBC’s “Late Night” in February 1982, Letterman’s comedy was about more than telling jokes. He attached a camera to a monkey’s back, tossed watermelons off a roof and wore a suit of Alka-Seltzer to plunge into a tank of water. Celebrities used to being fawned over either clicked with his prickly personality or didn’t, and when Cher called him a more profane version of “jerk,” it became a memorable moment.

Final Top 10 list for David Letterman 

The Top 10 list on Letterman’s final show before retirement, delivered by celebrities. The category was “Things I’ve Always Wanted to Say to Dave.”

10. Alec Baldwin: “Of all the talk shows, yours was the most geographically convenient to my home.”

9. Barbara Walters”: “Did you know you wear the same cologne as Moammar Gadhafi?”

8. Steve Martin: “Your extensive plastic surgery was a necessity and a mistake.”

7. Jerry Seinfeld: “I have no idea what I’ll do when you go off the air. You know, I just thought of something. I’ll be fine.”

6. Jim Carrey: “Honestly, Dave, I’ve always found you to be a bit of an over-actor.”

5. Chris Rock: “I’m just glad your show is being given to a white guy.”

4. Julia Louis-Dreyfus: “Thanks for letting me take part in another hugely disappointing series finale.”

3. Peyton Manning: “You are to comedy what I am to... comedy.”

2. Tina Fey: “Thanks for finally proving men can be funny.”

1. Bill Murray: “Dave, I’ll never have the money I owe you.”