What happened to David Letterman?

I don't mean the endlessly publicized sex scandal or the Sarah Palin controversy. I don't mean the ham-fisted and unfunny political commentary -- or even the strange tales of stalkers around every corner. I mean what happened to the guy from the mid-late 1980s who seemed so above and beyond any such tired showbiz cliches?

When Letterman followed Carson during the Golden Age of NBC late night TV, his show was admittedly quirky. But it was one of the best examples of post-modern comedy in the medium's history. Late Night with David Letterman not only mocked TV entertainment while being a part of it, but the show made fun of the very idea that people get paid to gab or act silly in front of millions of people.

Remember back in those heady days of the early- to mid-eighties, when David Letterman was considered to be the young, hip alternative to Johnny Carson? You remember... while Johnny was doing his 4,132nd Carnac sketch and putting on daring musical acts like Paul Anka, Dave was conducting elevator races, tossing watermelons off roofs, showing Jerry Lawler slap Andy Kaufman, and putting on bands like the Talking Heads.

Well, hold on to your bongs, Baby Boomers, and grab on to that flannel, Gen Xers: Letterman turns 60 today.

Yikes.

According to TV writer Mark Evanier, Calvert DeForest, who played Larry "Bud" Melman on David Letterman's NBC show, passed away on Thursday from a pneumonia-related heart attack. He was 85.

Everyone remembers DeForest as Melman; he was the little old man with the big glasses and putty-like face who would show up and inevitably bungle whatever lines he was given to read, often saying them very loudly in the process. He was a signature on the NBC show, and Dave continued to use him when the show moved to CBS (under Calvert's real name, due to intellectual property issues with NBC), but less frequently; DeForest's last appearance was in 2003.

Evanier got the information from an "authority" on the Letterman newsgroup, who also mentioned that the Late Show was set to air a tribute to DeForest last night, but delayed it when Letterman went home sick. Since there won't be a new taping until next week, the tribute will have to wait. I'm sure it'll be both poignant and funny at the same time.

[thanks to Elf for the tip.]

I'm reminding readers for two reasons. One, it's an important milestone for David Letterman. His guests tonight will be Bill Murray (who was on his very first NBC and CBS shows) and basketball player LeBron James. And two, The Late Show With David Letterman has been in repeats this week (and the end of last week), so some people might assume that tonight and tomorrow are repeat episodes too. But they're brand-spanking new.

The NY Daily News lists their Top 10 David Letterman moments, and they include Madonna's expletive-filled appearance, Sonny and Cher getting back together, and Oprah finally coming on the show. And if you're feeling nostalgic for his old NBC show, YouTube has some clips.

The show airs tonight on CBS at 11:35.

[via TV Tattle]