(David Letterman) has been on the air my entire adult life. Late Night debuted my first year in college. I learned more from watching Dave than I did from going to my classes — especially the ones I did not go to because I had stayed up until 1:30 watching Dave.

This man has influenced every host that came after him, and even a few who came before him — he’s that good.

And I tell you — I do not envy whoever they try to put in that chair.

STEPHEN COLBERT, The Colbert Report (via inothernews)