David Letterman, a co-owner of an IndyCar team, is staple at Indianapolis 500 races. [Photo: Michael Hickey]
Of course there’s a Steak ‘n Shake beside Letterman’s studio.
Ever since I can remember, the Broad Ripple High School product (Ball State, too) has been on late-night TV, bringing laughs to folks around the country before they turn in for the night. He’s had special moments, like his first show since the 9/11 attacks, and softer sides, like Tuesday’s show with Bill Murray.
One thing I always appreciated, as a Hoosier, was Letterman’s constant praise of Indy and its sports teams. When talking hoops, he’d seemingly always find a way to work the Pacers into it. When chatting up an NFL player or broadcaster, the Colts and Peyton Manning would come up.
Letterman, a proud Hoosier, has never forgotten where he came from and what helped shape his successful career. In Muncie at Ball State University, where he graduated from 1969, Letterman started a lecture series with his name on it. Back in 2007, the university named its state-of-the-art communications building after him — the David Letterman Communication and Media Building.
(Watch as Letterman shares a story from Ball State and the university’s radio station, WCRD.)
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard officially declared Wednesday “Letterman Day” in Indy.
Pacers head coach Frank Vogel has an interesting connection to the show. If you don’t know by now — and surely if you’re on this site you do — coach was part of a Stupid Human Tricks segment, brushing his teeth while spinning a basketball on his toothbrush, when he was 13 years old (in 1986).
That was Vogel’s first encounter with Letterman.
“What I remember (from my visit), he was terrific,” Vogel said RadioNOW’s ‘Kyle & Rachel’ Morning Show. “Very friendly and amused by my trick, which is kind of a neat looking thing. It was a good exchange.”
“I became pretty popular (in school). I will admit that.”
And yes, he can still do it today. (Video evidence below:)
For me, Letterman has never been my go-to late night program. It was Jay Leno, and now it’s Jimmy Fallon. But I still watched “The Late Show” now and then, especially when he had a guest I liked. I have DVR’d the final two weeks of the shows and they have been enjoyable to watch.
I’ve always found his presentations and interviews a bit uncomfortable and awkward. Given, I remember him best in his final few years. It’s like he didn’t know what direction to go next with a guest, or he was trying to think of something clever. Don’t get me wrong, he’s obviously talented and has a special presence on stage. He created a couple great bits, like his Top Ten List.
You can’t think about Letterman without thinking about Indianapolis and his Top Ten Lists.
Knowing Letterman was soon retiring, I made sure to swing by his New York studio last time I was in town, just before Christmas. Pretty cool and fitting that there is a Steak ‘n Shake beside his studio.
I’ve always been proud that Letterman was one of us. And he’s been proud of it. I congratulate him on an excellent career and wish him the best in the next phase of his life.