Late Show with David Letterman

“Late Show with David Letterman” is an American late-night talk show that airs on CBS, hosted by David Letterman. The program premiered on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman’s own company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated, along with CBS Television Studios. Paul Shaffer serves as the music director and leads the house band, the CBS Orchestra. The head writer is Matt Roberts, and Alan Kalter is the announcer. Among the major U.S. late-night shows, “Late Show” ranks second in cumulative average viewership and third in the total number of episodes. It also leads in advertising revenue, generating $271 million in 2009.

In most U.S. regions, the show is broadcast at 11:35 p.m. Eastern/Pacific time, although it is taped earlier in the week: Monday through Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., and on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The second Thursday taping typically airs on Friday.

In 2002, “Late Show with David Letterman” was listed as No. 7 on TV Guide’s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time. CBS has an agreement with Worldwide Pants to continue the show until 2014, by which time Letterman will have surpassed Johnny Carson as the longest-serving late-night talk show host.