Letterman signs off after 33 years

David Letterman has been ushered into retirement by four US presidents declaring “our long national nightmare is over” and a succession of stars delivering a final top 10 list of things they always wanted to say to the late-night TV host.

The taped intro of President Barack Obama and former presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W Bush referenced Gerald Ford’s declaration to the country when he took office following the 1974 resignation of Richard Nixon. Letterman sidled up to Obama to say: “You’re just kidding, right?”

Ten stars from Steve Martin to Tina Fey delivered the final top 10 list of “things I’ve always wanted to say to Dave”. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, with Jerry Seinfeld standing nearby, said: “Thanks for letting me take part in another hugely disappointing series finale.” Number one was Bill Murray, with: “Dave, I’ll never have the money I owe you.”