David Letterman Retiring

I remember well the big controversy between Jay Leno and David Letterman for the top spot in late-night TV, with Letterman's move to CBS. That was actually about the time that I pretty much gave up on the late-night shows, but I somehow still feel a personal connection to this news story. Carson and Letterman were a part of my routine well into my twenties, and it can feel a little like yesterday to me.

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Elvis 1956

Gleason was not really among the converted. He had gone on record as saying that he didn’t think Presley’s performance was the kind that would last. “But,” he added, “if I booked only the shows I liked, I’d have nothing but trumpet players on the show.”

The show Jackie Gleason was producing was Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey’s Stage Show. It seems to be mostly known today on account of Elvis’s big splash.

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