Stephen Colbert Reads His Own Top Ten List | Letterman 

At the time, I had no idea who Colbert was, little did I know that I’ll be watching his show every night ever since

I just watched the recent episode where Dave came back to be a guest on the Late Show. Steven showed that selfie, and they took another one. It was a fantastic episode, I had goosebumps when Dave came out on stage. I'm so glad Steven has been carrying the torch of the Late Show greats so well.

The interview's fresh as if it just happened. These two guys are the perfect complement.

I just saw Letterman leave the Ed Sullivan today after the taping. I can die happy now after he responded jokingly to something I said. Dave honked the horn of his Tesla for about 20 seconds, even after cars were out of the way.

I waited outside Ed Sullivan theater to meet Dave tonight, got to see him he was so funny

I miss David letterman every single day.

Nice to see this again and to know that nearly ten years later they would pose and take a selfie there once again. Heartwarming and funny.

I'm so so so glad Dave is changing his mind and deciding to do The Late Show once more! Feel like Strike Force Five might've played a role! 🤣

Rewatched this after Dave's appearance on Colbert. Love them both, so loving the mutual respect.

Stephen is what we've needed in these troubled times, but it has certainly aged him.

Paul is actually a very underestimated part of The Late Show. He was able to interrupt at any moment and many guests would acknowledge or talk to him. All this besides being musically talented.

We miss you Dave!!! ❤ Amazing to see you back at your office! Please fill in for Stephen whenever and as often as you can. No offence Steve!

I was there in '97 when Dave gave up explaining the jokes. By "there" I of course mean my couch.

Loved seeing Dave back behind the desk. An iconic photo!!

Been a huge fan of Stephen Colbert all the way back to The Dana Carvey Show, Strangers With Candy, and of course, The Colbert Report. His deadpan comedy is a great evolution of David Letterman's.

After Dave retired, I didn’t watch any late night TV 💔 I’d heard of Colbert, but never watched him. Fast forward to early 2020, I watched Colbert and decided I’d give him a chance. Once he started doing his show from his basement (later the supply closet at the EST), I was a regular viewer.

One of the smoothest transitions of power ever - and it happened because they are both a very humble person. I love them so much

It wasn’t a “change of command ceremony” but a group selfie will do😂

I love that they recreated the selfie!

Aaaahhhh…nice to see a peaceful transfer of power

Loved seeing the updated selfie

I had no idea Dave was going to be on until I watched early this morning. He is still king.

Best decision they made. Stephen Colbert is the best 😊

Stephen Colbert has had the best transition replacing a major network late night TV show host and David Letterman has had the absolute best post retirement of any major network late night TV show host. Both have excelled in the things that they have chosen to do since then and audiences are enjoying so much good content. I'm so glad that Letterman is welcome on all of the various programs and podcasts while still killing it at the content he chooses to produce. Colbert has managed to stay at or near the top of the fray in terms of creative output and ratings while maintaining good relations with his peers. Jay Leno continues to stink.

2:03 - Stay on target. This is what its about. 4:59 - Also me. 11:21 - Astute, and the exit so precise. What a beautiful set.

That was a really good Top 10 list. One thing, he forgot to say...from the home office in Rockford, IL... or something like that.

Aww Stephen!! Been cracking me up since i was a kid trying to understand the Daily Show. My favorite late night guy forever!

Wow!! So awesome to see Dave without the beard!!

Am looking very much forward to seeing Dave on Stephen Colbert. I watch Stephen on RU-vid, as well, so I have to wait until tomorrow to watch it here in Toronto. Oh, and a very good example of a peaceful, dignified, mature, sane, lawful transfer of power.

And Colbert is still the best. He creates a complete trajectory of hysterical commentary on the news. Course, he has the Trumpster for fodder, so he can hardly go wrong for comedic material. I don't know that Dave could do that, certainly Johnny Carson couldn't.

Super crossover between your channels. Professional grade.

Can't wait to see Dave back at the ol' theater tonight!

If they start right now, it's not too late to get a Christmas Special with Dave and the gang -- it's what the world needs now!

No kids, there are no deaths involved this time, it's just that Dave finally, finally relented to visit his old stomping grounds. In itself, this is great. But there's a part of me that also wishes for Paul Shaffer to be there, too. And if Dave appears in a suit and clean-shaven I might even shed a single tear from the corner of my eye...

The algorithm works in mysterious ways - Dave is Stephen’s guest tonight.

Anyone who had been won over by Colbert on the “Report,” knew he’d win in this role too.

These two are legendary!

I just remember 1 'Brush With Fame' when Dave would go out in the audience and ask folks what famous person they met. One fellow said he got in an elevator with Henry Kissinger and said 'Hello Mr Kissinger', to which he replied 'Dr. Kissinger'. Another fellow said he was in line at McDonald's behind Dustin Hoffman when Dustin ordered 20 McNuggets.

Aye he said my name! 😂 I was actually named after the drummer for the David Letterman band ❤

Stephen was hilarious! 😂 Get well soon. We love you and value you!

Seriously the best two entertained of all time.

Two of my all time favorites, plus OG for me, Johnny.

I love David Letterman. He is another bright fella.

"I was unemployed at a professional level" - Stephen Colbert

nearly 10 years later, steven has a few gray streaks, letterman went beardo.

Thanks for running this segment -

it's crazy to me that Dave was in late night for 30+ years while Colbert is only in his 8th year

It's so nice to see Colbert in the seat. its nice to meet you :)

I'm super excited for tonight! I've been a fan of Letterman for twelve years now and Colbert since 2015.

Ahh love this, flashbacks to Letterman’s show! Dave seemed happier as humble. We miss as love you❤️🎶

he forgot to throw the cards thru the window

I love how Paul's band played the opening of Zappa's Zomby Woof at the end.

That guy seems like he would be good on a show :)

I did not get familiar with Colbert until he had at least one kid in college, so picturing him as a dad to a nine year old really threw me for a loop.

This is one dynamic duo!!

That was awesome! Those Christmas jokes are all evergreens. 😶

This is cool....after watching David Letterman on Colbert's show Monday, 20 November 2023.

never skipped a beat

Yep! loved Colbert since the days of The Colbert Report back about 11 years ago. At first my wife struggled for several months to convince me that he wasn’t actually a conservative. 😂

I still miss my nightly dose of Dave. :)

They made the ultimate best choice with Colbert.

Two of the GOAT - This epi demonstrates their very different but equally brilliant styles. Colbert is doing a fantastic job (after Mr. Letterman went semi-retired to grow out his beard & interview Obama et al). Comedians like Carson, Myers, Letterman, Colbert, Oliver, Kimmel and Fallon: Our sources 4 truth once news got FOX-ed.

My late show crushes. 💙🖤💛❤️

Thank you, Dave.

Please, do not cut the entrances of the interviews! They are a very important part of the segments! 🙏🏻

While you folks wait until 11:35 p.m., let me give you a spoiler: he looks great in that fancy new set of Stephen's, or that set of his looks good with Dave behind the desk... Either way, makes you almost forget the beard just seeing him back there.

We are all different. I was not a fan of Letterman but lovee Colbert. I need his humor to keep me from despair over the political situation of the last 8 years.

Thanks David😊

Wayback machine is functional. So rad.

7:15 remember when phones were just easy to handle?!!!

Colbert is the bastion. I couldn’t hope for a better successor to the king that is Letterman.

Love love Dave. Just watched Colbert’s interview with Dave. No comparison. Dave is king.

The network execs said, "Hey, another guy with glasses! Okay, he's in."

I love these guys.

That was priceless. You guys are the absolute best.

I notice these clips almost always exclude Paul's music as the guest is coming out. Some sort of copyright clearance issue?

This is a man who wanted the job but hated that he took it from a legend. Letterman became a verb; it was "Oh, did you see Letterman?" He was the nightly host with just the right amount of edge-deadpan and acerbic. Anyone who met him longed for the call to come back. David is the last talk show host to truly embody that spirit of playfulness, while still being serious enough to cut through the nonsense.

David letterman looks so much better with no beard.

Ever since Stephen mentioned his slightly deformed, deaf right ear, I can't take my eyes off it. 😳

The only time he got the GBS Orchestra lead-in to the Top Ten List!

Just watched Dave on Stephen right before this😊.

This is almost 10 YEARS ago, wow....Can`t believe it....

Thank Goddess Stephen Cobert followed David Letterman! How did we get so lucky?

Wow I remember this and cried … losing Lettermen… and gave up on Late Night… now I am bummed if Colbert is a rerun!

This is the first time in years that Dave didn't look like a troll who lives under a bridge.

It was a good top 10.

It’s just a crying shame that things didn’t work out for that Colbert kid😂

Stephen's right ear is a rare sight nowadays

Thats pretty funny... the interview and the top 10 as well

This has probably been asked before, but what is Stephen looking at so often, up in the balcony? Evie?

That too 10 was fabulous except the last one #1

That was a respectable top ten list, but I probably said that when this aired too....

Still fantastic.

I remember when this happened 😅 At that time Stephen was not as well known or as loved as he is now. Also, damn I miss David 😢

I loved Letterman, but the timing was right. Only Colbert had the balance of gravitas & humor to best row us through the Trump years. Forever grateful.

Looks great

RIP Colbert

And now Mr. Letterman has a snowy white beard.

I miss the top ten, and hate that they wouldn't let Colbert bring"The Word" to the Late Show

Tell him, Steve Dave!