LEGEND
‘Letterman: The Last Giant of Late Night’ chronicles the host’s journey and legacy. Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Shales on the retired comedian’s greatness.
LAST BOW
David Letterman will host his last Late Show tonight. We’re not just saying goodbye to Dave, but to an entire generation of comedy.
END OF AN ERA
David Letterman’s final Late Show is May 20. In honor of his stepping down, Pulitzer Prize-winning TV critic Tom Shales writes about his gloriously ribald and revolutionary legacy.
LAUGH LEGENDS
Pulitzer Prize-winning TV critic Tom Shales, who co-authored the book Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, looks back on the show’s 40-year history.
Irreplaceable
Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning television critic says his boss, who died Tuesday at 93, justified the description ‘legendary’ a hundred times over.
Open Wide
Roy Scheider had less trouble finding his on-screen shark than our writer did in finding the infamous prop for Spielberg’s iconic film.
King of Comedy
The seeds of the actor and comedian’s brilliance were visible in his early stage shows—remembered here as fizzing explosions of comic energy and invention.
Two Thumbs Up
Directed by fellow Chicagoan Steve James (Hoop Dreams), Life Itself is a worthy tribute to the most popular film critic ever.
‘Nothing Off-Limits’
Monday night’s relentlessly promoted Diane Sawyer interview felt full of pre-asked questions, little news—and hard selling of the possible next president’s new book, Hard Choices.
DRESS REHEARSAL
Stephen Colbert tested out the new digs and his role as David Letterman's successor.