Top 5 Moments Of David Letterman's Final Episode

33 years in the making and US TV, or indeed pop culture, will never be the same.

It’s testament to David Letterman’s unwavering influence on entertainment and comedy that even here in the UK it’s easy to feel we've grown up with him ourselves (and if you remember the bleary-eyed airings of his show on ITV2 around a decade ago, we did). But all good things come to an end, as they did so well last night for his show’s final and A-list heavy episode.

It wasn't quite the blub-fest some would have hoped for, but that shouldn't have been expected. Never one for schmaltz, Letterman's always been more interested in wringing laughs over handkerchiefs, and true to three decades of form, the star didn't get overly sentimental.

The gap-toothed god of late night US TV deserved a good send off and he got one. Here are the top 5 moments.

We'd have liked a top 10, obviously, though this will have to do.

Dave was given a standing ovation before he'd even begun

The Ed Sullivan Theatre rose to its feet and if you look closely you'll be able to spot the ghost of Ed Sullivan himself milling around. A truly rousing reception.

His opening monologue involved tributes from The Simpsons

Unlike The Simpsons of course, Dave’s show only seemed to get better with age

The Top 10 list was arguably the starriest ever 

Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Tina Fey, a totally non-maniac Jim Carrey, Alec Baldwin and more big names lined up to reveal the one thing they’ve always wanted to tell him. W bet some weren't even kidding.

He made fun of children

Again.

The Foo Fighters closed the show superbly

There really was no other band Letterman who could have helped draw the final curtain and play out a montage. Dave Grohl and co. have been firm favourites on the show ever since cancelling a tour in South American to play Letterman’s first show back after heart surgery in 2000, when they sang his favourite track Everlong. No guesses which one they chose for this farewell.