David Letterman absolutely nailed one of the most important aspects of being a daytime soap opera star during Thursday night’s “Late Show.” It’s all about the dramatic stare. Sometimes it’s shock, sometimes it’s amusement, sometimes it’s disdain, but let’s face it … it’s usually shock.
With dramatic music playing, the camera zoomed in for one of those uncomfortable soap opera close-ups as Letterman looked stunned. It then cut to several clips from daytime television featuring a litany of stars striking virtually the same shocked poses.
See video: Aretha Franklin Slays Live Performance of Adele’s ‘Rolling in the Deep’
Letterman even tried a take with a terrible fake mustache, though he just looked like an extra-surly Wilford Brimley.
“A friend of mine called and said there’s going to be an opening on ‘The Young and the Restless,’” Letterman explained after Paul Shaffer interrupted him. “I wanted to send this tape over there to them. But now it’s ruined.”
See photos: ‘American Horror Story’ to ‘True Detective’: 8 Anthology Series That Are Changing TV
Earlier this year, Letterman announced that he would retire from “Late Show” sometime in 2015. CBS has tapped Stephen Colbert as his replacement, signing him to a five-year contract. Letterman has not yet announced his plans.
Maybe executives at the CBS soap opera were watching anyway. He could certainly play “Stunned Party-goer #3” or something.
“Late Show with David Letterman” airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET on CBS.