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David Letterman returned to The Late Show Monday (Nov. 20) evening for the first time in over eight years, where he was welcomed with a standing ovation.
Stephen Colbert‘s audience applauded the late night veteran, who was back at the Ed Sullivan Theater after leaving The Late Show after a decades-long run as host.
“Control your people,” he jokingly told Colbert as the audience started chanting his name.
Letterman later made “a few observations” about how much the theater has changed since Colbert took over, comparing it to Rodeo Drive.
“The dressing room is nicer than the nicest hotel I’ve ever stayed in my life, I’ll be here through Christmas,” he said.
But he congratulated Colbert on the successful eight-year run he’s had so far. “It must be very very gratifying, and as a handful of people recognize, it’s not easy,” Letterman told him. “But you make it look very easy. So congratulations again to you and the entire staff.”
Colbert noted that Letterman was practically the “Iron Man of late night” television. He asked him if there was anything he missed about the job.
“I miss everything. I mean mostly, it’s fun,” Letterman replied. “Very few things in life provide one the opportunity. And I can’t speak for you or to you on this topic, but for me, if you muck one up, 24 hours later you get to try again.”
The late night hosts even got to recreate the iconic selfie they took just before Colbert took over The Late Show from Letterman.
“This is great because I was going to ask you if I could have my picture taken at the desk. Do you mind?” Letterman admitted, before adding, “Thank you. Do this, because my son doesn’t believe I had a show.”
Since leaving late night comedy, Letterman has been hosting a Netflix series titled My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, where he’s chatted with the likes of Barack Obama, Cardi B, Kanye West, and Ryan Reynolds.
Scroll up to watch Colbert’s interview with Letterman.
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert airs on CBS and Paramount+ weeknights at 11:35/10:35c.
