Jack Tame: Love Letterman to the end

David Letterman. Photo / AP

Opinion

It has been one of those weeks for broadcasting legends everywhere, it seems.

David Letterman, who has featured on his show no fewer than four US presidents and about every half-decent American comedian of the past three decades, said a final goodnight after 33 years in late-night comedy.

He was his wisecracking self to the end. There's a lot to be said for going with dignity.

But all gushy nostalgia aside, an audience with Letterman recently could be a bit hit-or-miss. You could turn up one afternoon to watch the show with every tourist in Times Square and be treated to an hour with the biggest pop names and movie stars in the world.

But you could also turn up, as we did, on a random Tuesday, for a tepid monologue and three interviewees we'd never heard of.

It was probably about his 6000th episode — you can forgive the man a few duds.

I'll not forget that Paris Hilton interview: the one where he asked her what it was like going to jail and she twisted in her chair.

I will not forget Joaquin Phoenix being weird or John Key's Top 10.

But even Letterman accepts his was tired TV in a YouTube World. Everything about the set and the format felt a bit 90s, not to mention the interns trying desperately to gee up the crowd. "I can't HEAR you!"

Late-night TV is American comedy at its best. The Brits do wit, panel shows and subtlety. But the Americans own the night-in-night-out churn of highly formatted, tightly scripted, plug-my-book late-night laughs.

The Daily Show, The Colbert Report and the Late Show with Letterman might all be finishing at once, but perhaps unlike some other TV genres with less certain futures, comedy's on the up.

Stand-up is in the midst of a global renaissance.

America bid a legend farewell with Colbert, Fallon, Kimmel, O'Brien, Myer, Noah and Gordon all fighting for your belly laughs.

It's still a great time to own a TV.

• Jack Tame is on Newstalk ZB Saturdays, 9am-midday.