Stephen Colbert and David Letterman marked the approaching finale of The Late Show by throwing set furniture off the Ed Sullivan Theater roof onto the CBS logo. This act of 'wanton destruction', as Letterman humorously put it, celebrated the end of the late-night series.
On the Ed Sullivan Theater Roof
Letterman, who initially hosted The Late Show from 1993 to 2015, joined Colbert at the theater. He expressed joy in participating in this unique farewell. 'I thought maybe tonight’s occasion would be a little sad, being the end of your run here, but this brings true joy to my heart,' Letterman said.
Colbert shared that he was initially forbidden from such antics due to prior incidents. 'When I first got this gig, one of the first things they told me is that I would not be allowed to throw anything off of the roof of the Ed Sullivan building,' he recounted.
A Farewell with a Twist
The duo threw two chairs and Colbert’s desk seat from the roof, later adding watermelons and a cake to the mix. Letterman concluded the segment with a nod to CBS, quoting Ed Murrow: 'Good night and good luck, motherfucker.'
Before heading to the roof, Letterman admired the set furniture, confirming its CBS ownership, and jested, 'This is nice. It’d be a shame if something happened to this.'
Letterman’s Return and CBS Criticism
Letterman’s return to the show came shortly after he criticized CBS executives as 'lying weasels' during a New York Times interview, following the network's decision to cancel the program. CBS cited financial reasons unrelated to performance for ending the show.
During his appearance, Letterman humorously remarked that he encountered a CBS representative backstage who 'fired' him. He reflected on his contributions to the show and theater, asserting his right to express frustration over the show's end.
Colbert's Reflections
Colbert, who appeared on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter's New York issue, reflected on his tenure and the unexpected end of The Late Show. His final episode is set for May 21, a week after Letterman's appearance.
In the lead-up to Colbert’s departure, the entire 'Strike Force Five' — Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers — made a special appearance on the show.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/stephen-colbert-david-letterman-late-show-cbs-furniture-1236596520/
