During his 33 years as a late-night host, Mr. Letterman was known for being at once breezy and detached, a contrast that made him a towering figure to the comedians who delivered tributes on Sunday. Mr. Letterman’s longtime sidekick as a late-night host, the musician Paul Shaffer, joked in his tribute about Mr. Letterman’s signature mix of warmth and reserve. Michelle Obama appeared by video to toast Mr. Letterman’s intellect, saying, “The thing about the best comedians is that they aren’t just funny. Something else Mr. Letterman has groomed in his post-television life: a beard that has become a token of his new life. “Because of this award,” Mr. Letterman said at the end of the show, “I am now the most humorous person in the world.”

Source: New York Times October 23, 2017 06:00 UTC