B. From August 30, 1993 through May 20, 2015, the theater on Broadway served as the home of Late Show with David Letterman, and today those audience tickets have become highly collectible pieces of television history.
The very first “Late Show” broadcast in 1993 carried enormous anticipation. After years at NBC, Letterman arrived at CBS with something to prove, and the debut instantly became television history. The first guest was Bill Murray, a fitting choice considering his longtime friendship with Letterman and his earlier role as the first guest on “Late Night with David Letterman” in 1982. Musical duties for the premiere belonged to Billy Joel. A ticket from that opening night represents the beginning of one of television’s most influential runs.
Over the years, the Ed Sullivan Theater welcomed presidents, actors, athletes, comedians, and musicians. The show blended sarcasm, awkward humor, and unpredictability in a way no one else could duplicate. For collectors, tickets from major episodes — anniversaries, special appearances, or musical performances — carry both nostalgia and cultural significance.
Then came May 20, 2015, the final broadcast. It was not just the end of a television show, but the closing chapter of Letterman’s 33-year late-night career. The farewell featured a star-studded Top Ten List with celebrities including Jerry Seinfeld, Tina Fey, and Peyton Manning. The final musical performance came from Foo Fighters, who played “Everlong” over a moving career montage.
A ticket to that final show is more than paper. It represents the end of an era when late-night television still felt personal, unpredictable, and unforgettable.
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