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All the stories talking about David Letterman's retirement from late night TV refer to his NBC show for 10 years at 12:30 a.m. ET (after the "Tonight Show") and his 11:30 p.m. ET CBS show for 22 years on CBS.
Most people do not know that David Letterman had a morning/daytime show (about 11:00 a.m. in the morning) on NBC that lasted for four months in 1980. I know because I either watched it live or recorded it on this new device called a VHS.
It was so over the top and strange for a talk show that audiences just did not get it. We would not hear about this man again until 1982.
In 1982, NBC decided that a younger audience would get it at 12:30 a.m. ET after the "Tonight Show." Then it was a huge success.
Sometimes in the mid-1980's, David took his very popular show to Los Angeles for a week. It was impossible to get tickets but I was working with NBC on something new called the Internet and they took care of that for me. One of David's guests was Johnny Carson so that made it even more historically enjoyable.
Around 1988, David Letterman was a guest on the Larry King RADIO show. This was a newer show on the radio and the first syndicated talk radio interview show. I got in as a caller and asked David some questions. I remember he was such a wise guy in his responses.
When I first started watching David Letterman on his first unknown NBC morning show, I was 27 years old. I am now 62 and David Letterman has retired tonight. Letterman and his low-key style of humor has been part of millions of people's lives as they have grown older with him.
He's done a great job. Providing some laughs at the end of the day. And never having "guest hosts" which became an unwelcome feature of Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show."
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It is the responsibility of all good Americans to watch all three Elvis TV movies at least one time each.
The original "Elvis," starring Kurt Russell aired in 1979 on ABC.
In 1988, "Elvis and Me" based on the book by Priscilla Presley aired on ABC.
In 2005, Elvis - The Miniseries" aired on CBS.
I watched all of them again for the second time ever within one week and can make the following analysis.
The best of all of them is "Elvis and Me." Because it is based on the book by the girl/woman who was part of it all from 1958 on, it is the most intimate. It is her and Elvis' story told in the most personalized manner. It tells a great deal although there is plenty of information left out which has become known over the years.
The best performance as Elvis clearly goes to Kurt Russell. He acts and performs most like Elvis and is the most believable in the role.
This original Elvis telefilm came out only two years after he left the building permanently.
The thing that was most amazing seeing it 36 years later is that there is not one mention of his indulgence with prescription pills and comes off like that never even happened. Although there was still limited information overall about this subject two years later, it is amazing ABC wanted to whitewash this.
"Elvis -- The Miniseries" has the slickest look and takes advantage of the fact that by 2005, viewers expect and are treated to modern stylization in their movies and TV shows.
As there has been a new Elvis TV movie about every 10 years, we are overdue for another one.
Today is the 70th Anniversary of Victory In Europe -- VE Day. 70 years ago the Nazis agreed to an unconditional surrender.
There are huge celebrations all over Europe, especially in the UK.
But in America, there's hardly a mention.
Americans are much too interested in news on what Kardashians are wearing today, what shocking activities that whore Miley Cyrus will demonstrate today, how Bruce Jenner will wear his/her hair, how Kylie Jenner gets those lips so damn big, and what new TV shows will be on next week after the new ones from last week get cancelled.
And here are America's young men in 1944.
About to step on the beaches of France, knowing that the chances are they will die, but their combined efforts will allow their families and fellow Americans to continue to live life normally.
Every American boy used to look up to their sports heroes. Whether a baseball, football, basketball or boxing champ, these role models gave young American boys lessons in honor, striving to be the best, and always doing what was right. They were especially effective with boys who had no fathers or those that had sorry excuses for a father.
Just in the last few weeks, we have seen baseball teams fighting on the field, clear evidence of tampering with footballs and other pathetic examples from professional sports.
Even sports is reflecting the attitudes of the rest of American society. It is so sad.
