Watch this interview of David Letterman on the Carson Tonight Show from 22 years ago and a few things pop out:

  1. Dave basically predicts the Leno/O’Brien fiasco when he says no, he’s not mad, but he would be if NBC had given him The Tonight Show and then taken it away from him
  2. Letterman is just operating on a whole different level than anyone else. At least anyone else who’s not Johnny Carson. I remember something from a while ago which drew the distinction that whereas Leno may say funny things (your mileage may vary) Letterman just *thinks* funny.
  3. Look at how, while he is doing his thing, he clearly knows whose house he’s in. So while he’s funny and clearly having fun, he always is doing so while acknowledging the real power in the room.