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David Letterman: Los Angeles
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In the 1960s Letterman enrolled in the communications program at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, and almost immediately began working part-time in local television there. After graduating in 1969 he returned to his hometown and a job as an announcer and weekend weatherman at the ABC affiliate in Indianapolis. There, he quickly began honing his trademark style by injecting his ironic sense of humor into otherwise ordinary weather forecasts (raindrops "as big as canned hams") and even children's programs (poking fun at his young guests). Eventually Letterman began writing jokes and comedy sketches, even sending scripts to producers of such television programs as The Mary Tyler Moore Show. At the urging of his wife, Michelle Cook (they divorced in 1977), the young comedian took his act to Los Angeles, in 1975, and began working the comedy club circuit, where he quickly became a popular draw.
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In Los Angeles, Letterman wrote for Good Times, the Jimmie Walker sitcom. Letterman became popular in local comedy venues, making friends with another young comic, Jay Leno, though Letterman now says he hasn't heard from Leno in years. Letterman wrote songs and comedy for The Starlight Vocal Band Show, and after his stand-up gigs, he cheated on his wife with more than one woman who wanted to catch a rising star. The marriage ended in 1977, before Letterman had even enough success to be ordered to pay alimony. His ex-wife got custody of the car and the dog.
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In 1975, Letterman moved to Los Angeles, California with hopes of becoming a comedy writer and started writing material for sitcoms such as Good Times. He ... began performing stand-up comedy at The Comedy Store, a famed Los Angeles comedy club and proving ground for young comics.
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After four years in local television and radio Letterman realized he needed a larger audience in order to find a place for his brand of comedy. In 1975 Letterman moved to Los Angeles where he worked at The Comedy Store and wrote material for sitcoms including Good Times.
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When Johnny Carson made a surprising retirement announcement in 1992, Letterman seemed the heir apparent to his mentor’s chair at “The Tonight Show†desk. He had served as guest host 50 times and already had a long-term relationship with the network; not to mention a complete and highly-functioning production staff. As a unit, the team was ready to head to Los Angeles, but the offer never came and Jay Leno was given the job. Speculation about the decision was endless, with the press building up a real or imagined rivalry between the two comics and fueling rumors about the Leno management’s cutthroat tactics to win the crown. Questions about NBC’s loyalty abounded. Were they unwilling to let go of the excellent ratings Letterman earned them in the traditionally difficult time slot, or were they fearful of how Letterman’s edginess would fare in the 11:30 PM ratings and passed him over in favor of Leno’s broader, red state appeal?
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After graduating from Ball State University (1969) with a degree in telecommunications, Letterman tried his hand at television as a crazy weatherman in Indianapolis. In 1975 he moved to Los Angeles, where…
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