Jimmy Fallon explains why David Letterman matters, to him and to TV comedy

(Image credit: The Tonight Show)

published 19 May 2015

On Wednesday, David Letterman is retiring, "after 33 years of innovation, fun, and just plain weirdness," said Jimmy Fallon on Monday's Tonight Show, "but mostly fun." Fallon followed Letterman (and Conan O'Brien) as host of NBC's Late Night — as, weirdly, Fallon's eighth grade teacher predicted he would — but all late-night talk shows owe Letterman a huge debt of gratitude, Fallon said. He "taught us how to be smart and stupid for comedy," and proved you could be both at the same time.

Fallon talked about his last time on Letterman's Late Show, recounted Dave's most inspirational moment, and explained why late night hosts don't appear on each other's talk shows. He also gave voice to what an entire generation of comedians, and night owls, is thinking about Letterman's last week: "I, like every kid who grew up watching him, will miss him." Watch Fallon's farewell message to Letterman below. —Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.