When I was a comic in the 1980s, I was on the road somewhere every day, and I'd get back to the hotel, and it was Carson and Letterman, and I looked forward to that all day.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I remember meeting the likes of Johnny Carson and Jimmy Stewart for the first time and being completely starstruck.
In my mind, I was always a comedian who was going to branch into writing.
When I was growing up, I wanted to do Letterman and I loved that live, in-studio model. I still would do something like that.
I went on the 'Letterman' show the first time to plug something, and then I came back as the Fool, the court jester.
Simply being a guest on David Letterman's show has been a highlight of my career. I never dreamed that I would follow in his footsteps, though everyone in late night follows Dave's lead. I'm thrilled and grateful that CBS chose me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go grind a gap in my front teeth.
I did standup while still working for Johnny Carson in the mid-'60s, thus gaining the advantage of at least getting laughs from him about how I hadn't the night before.
In 2007, I had on-paper success. I got to go to that Aspen comedy festival, which was pretty exclusive, I guess. Then I did Carson Daly. That was enough validation.
I was up until all hours of the night, listening to stories, meeting great old comedians.
My turn on 'Letterman' turned out to be a blast. The audience were delightful, and they lapped up my silly Kiwi humour. Even the big man himself came over to shake my hand after my set.
I remember, when I was an up-and-coming comic, how annoyed I would be when the famous guys would show up and just take everyone's spots.