CHAPTER FOURTEEN:
ANOTHER DEBUT FOR DAVE
Tonight is the night.
I can't wait. Dave is back - and it has been
such a long time. It has been rough trying to get
through my daily routine without the Dave break at the
end of the day. I put my feet up after a long day
at work - and wonder if I can stay up that late to see
Dave. I tell myself I have to, but I set the video
recorder just in case. I cannot miss this day. It
is the first day of David Letterman's show on CBS.
I can't believe it, but after two Latte's - I manage to
stay up after my grueling day at work. My children
are asleep.They have had their baths, I have read them a
story and they have had a glass of water. I fed them
earlier in the evening. I am ahead of the schedule today,
and they are all tucked in. Now it is time for me.
I switch my on television just as David enters THE ED
SULLIVAN THEATER. I stop to think about the history that
has taken place on that stage. When I was about 5
years old, I can remember the Beatles debut in America. I
was thrilled! Their long hair was truely something to
behold. It was exciting that four regular guys, ordinary
people so to speak, could actually make it that big over
night in America.
I can still hear Ed Sullivan- "Tonight, we're in for
a really big show". My family and I would
gather in front of the one Black and White television
that we owned nestled in the corner of our living room.
We would watch The Ed Sullivan Show every
weekend together. It was a time for the family to unwind
together. I remember countless stars debuting on Ed's
show. Sonny and Cher popped into my head as I write this.
This was a simpler time, when the world revolved around
Ed Sullivan on the weekend. It was a time that I would
grow to miss!
As Dave entered the Ed Sullivan Theater, I began to feel
a bit nervous. I was hoping that the change in
Networks, from NBC to CBS, would not hinder Dave's show.
I was hoping that things did not change too much. I liked
the old show - and was sad that I had to do without it
for so long.
After about ten minutes into the show, I knew that all
would be fine. All the familiar jokes, monologues
and routines were still there. The "Top Ten
List" was better than ever thanks to CBS's new
graphics. It was Dave's show - and a lot more. The
theater was redecorated - and so much grander than in the
old Ed Sullivan days.I am impressed with the dark blue
shining floor, the back drop of the New York skyline is
inviting - and the set is quite beautiful. What a night!
One can feel the excitment in the air. All of us
are awaiting Dave. Dave has soared to the top of his
profession. He had everyone fighting for his show. Now it
was time to see what Dave and his crew have put together.
It is not disappointing.
The first monologue touches upon the current events of
the time. Dave is hilarious. Good old wisecracking,
twisted Dave is back! He just has an incredible wit. I am
constantly on my toes guessing what he has up
his sleeve. Most of the jokes are aimed at not stealing
jokes and creative material from NBC. Tom Brokaw is here
to claim that Dave has stolen one of NBC's jokes. Very
funny indeed.
Bill Murray is the first guest on the show. I can
remember Bill on the first Late Night show.
How appropriate! I am gazing at the beautiful set -
happy that Dave is doing well -and then Bill Murray pops
up and decides to spray paint the new desk! I am in tears
laughing, but I could not believe that he ruined that
pristine set in one night! Ha -Ha! Leave it to
Bill. Quite funny! There are several other routines
sprinkled over the hour. Another successful
beginning for Dave! Dave scores once again!
The show was quite a success. Dave has delighted me once
again. I cannot wait to see what the papers and the news
will be saying about this event in the morning. I am
anticipating the conversation at work the next day. I am
exhausted and happy both. This was truly a moment in
history.
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