David Letterman is leaving CBS, but not without a proper sendoff.
The broadcast network will salute the long-running late-night host with May 4’s “David Letterman: A Life on Television.” The 90-minute celebration will be hosted by Ray Romano, who credits his 1995 stand-up appearance on “The Late Show With David Letterman” for kicking off his career. Letterman’s Worldwide Pants Inc. produced “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
“Romano will take viewers through a retrospective of Letterman’s career, starting from his time as a weathercaster in Indiana to his final nights as host of the ‘Late Show’ on the network,” CBS said on Thursday.
The primetime special, which kicks off at 9:30 p.m., precedes Letterman’s final “Late Show” date on May 20.
The special will air highlights from his three decades on TV, including some of Letterman’s best interviews with presidents, world leaders, sports figures and the biggest names in entertainment and music. It will also feature highlights of the show’s trademark segments, including the Top Ten List and Stupid Pet and Human Tricks, among others.
The special will also look at some of the show’s most important and poignant moments, including Letterman’s “Late Show” broadcast from Sept. 17, 2001 — his first broadcast after the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks.
When he retires, Letterman will have hosted 6,028 late night talk show broadcasts over 33 years, more than any other such host. Letterman and his shows have won 16 Emmy Awards (out of 112 nominations), a 1992 Peabody Award and even a 2012 Kennedy Center Honor.
“David Letterman: A Life on Television” is produced by CBS Eye Productions and will air on May 20 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.