And Now, A Man Who's Turning 60 Today: David Letterman! (4/12/07)

TV was different in 1982. Most stations signed off at midnight, and night owls had little to watch. But in February 1982, "Late Night with David Letterman" premiered. Viewers willing to stay up past 12:30 a.m. were confronted with odd characters doing strange things and a host who wore suits of Velcro, sponges, and Rice-Krispies. Shows were done from hotel rooms or turned upside-down. Dave argued with guests or brought estranged couples together. There were Top Ten Lists, Stupid Human and Pet Tricks, things crushed by a steamroller or thrown off of buildings. NBC was never quite sure of how to deal with Dave and his crew, and after an epic battle with the network, he took his show to CBS, where he's remained since 1993. Johnny Carson considered Dave to be his successor as the King of Late Night. And so on this, Dave's 60th birthday, we take a moment to wake the kids and phone the neighbors to wish him Happy DA Birthday VE.