David Letterman Says Goodbye: 10 Facts You Didn’t Know About the ‘Late Show’

Reality TV

May 20, 2015 4:36 pm·

By Julia Birkinbine

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In honor of tonight's Late Show finale, we've drummed up 10 interesting facts you probably didn't know about David Letterman and the famous talk show!

Click through the gallery above to see.

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Bill Murray was Dave's first and last guest

Dave's friend Bill was his first-ever guest on Late Night with David Letterman — which ran on NBC from 1982 until 1993 — on Feb. 1, 1982. He then served as the star's Late Show debut guest on CBS on Aug. 30, 1993, and provided the show's final interview on May 19, 2015. Over the years, Bill appeared with Dave 44 times!

2 of 11

Dave uses trick pencils

At the end of each show, Dave threw a pencil from his desk. But don't fret — the writing utensil actually had erasers on both ends so he didn't hurt himself!

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The first "Top Ten" list was about…

On Sept. 18, 1982, Dave debuted his now famous "Top Ten" list on the topic, "Top Ten Words That Almost Rhyme with 'Peas.'"

4 of 11

Dave almost hosted The Tonight Show

He guest-hosted the program for former emcee Johnny Carson a whopping 51 times, but The Tonight Show hosting torch was later passed to Jay Leno instead of Dave.

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The Late Show is actually filmed during the day

Though the program airs at 11:35 p.m. EST each night, it is taped at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and on Thursdays at both 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The second Thursday episode usually airs on Friday of each week.

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Dave's monologues were recycled

In his last few seasons, Dave reused jokes from some of his previous monologues for comedic effect. Reciting old puns in newer episodes is often funnier because the punchlines can seem a bit awkward and out of place.

7 of 11

Dave got a lot of vacation days…

Throughout his more than 20 years as host of the Late Show, Dave regularly took 10 weeks of vacation from work per year.

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There have been thousands of Late Show episodes

During his 22 seasons, Dave taped more than 4,260 shows!

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The Late Show has been honored with many Emmys

The Late Show was nominated 16 seasons in a row for the Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series Emmy Award from 1993 until 2009. The program has won the award six times.

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Regis Philbin holds the record for the most Late Show appearances

The TV personality has been on the show 136 times!

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The end!

Do you miss Dave on The Late Show?

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