FREE ESSAY ON DAVID LETTERMAN

DAVID LETTERMAN

David Letterman
Anyone that has met, seen, heard of, or listened to David Letterman can 
immediately tell he has a likable and humorous personality. Anyone studying him can 
see that his "clowning," as he called it, is more than simple clowning in its accepted 
sense. In inventing weird disasters and making up places that did not exist, which he did

quite often as a weather man for channel 13, he was indulging himself in another facet of

his complicated humor. It was "nonsense"-nothing more, nothing less. And the nonsense 
that David found most compatible with his sense of humor was fragile, soap-bubble thin, 
and as transparent as butterfly wings. This easygoing, laid back sense of humor has 
brought him were he is today.
On the other hand, anyone that has met Garrett Scharton has more than likely 
been stung by his sarcastic, witty remarks. His sense of humor, derived from his ever-
changing childhood, has taught him to always "be on his toes." Garrett's hardships in his

early years have opened his eyes to see the lighter side of everything to keep his
sanity. 
This sometimes gets in his way of experiencing new things. The lingering insecurities in

the back of his mind, which are shadowed by his unsurpassed wit, put a wall in front of 
anyone trying to get close. 
David Letterman and Garrett Scharton's sense of humor are comparable in two 
ways. David's peachy, childish remarks surprise even the most intelligent of observers. 
He cracks jokes, plays pranks, and "clowns around," to have fun. He makes people laugh 
to hear them have a good time. While Garrett, stings with words to keep people at a 
distance. David jokes around to have fun, while Garrett does it for protection. 
All throughout his life David performed sub-par academically compared to his 
older and younger sisters. His "C" average convinced him to lower his goal for going to 
Indiana State, and settle for Ball State. His less than professional training as a radio
talk 
show host gave him a chance to find his own, special angle to look at news, politics, and

daily life. He now gives a lot of credit for his successful career to Ball State. In
1985, to 
show his appreciation to Ball State, he funded a scholarship that is eligible for "C" 
students only. He also has given $24,285 to the telecommunications department for new 
state of the art equipment.
There were three children-two girls and one boy. David was the middle sibling, 
bracketed between two girls, Janice and Gretchen. The sisters did well in school, 
especially Gretchen; David did not perform academically as well as they did. But it was 
obvious that he was intelligent.
When David Letterman was about eight years old he was just beginning to set 
himself apart from his peer group of other eight-year-olds. He looked no different than 
any of the other kids in the Broad Ripple section of Indianapolis, Indiana, but in his 
psyche he was developing into what would become a jokester and buffoon in his college 
years and a world-famous talk-show host in his maturity
The children attended public school 55, which was well within walking distance. 
There David made friends with several of the boys, but did not become any kind of 
playground leader or classroom star. If anything he was the exact opposite of a star. 
When I think about why anyone should read about David Letterman the first 
reason that comes to mind is perseverance. In all things this is most self evident in his

hardships contrasted to his successes. David had less than desirable grades, a less than

desirable education, a less than desirable marriage and a less than desirable situation.
He 
settled for a less than desirable college, and worked for a less than desirable news
station. 
But he stuck with it, and look where he is now. Sitting on top of the world, smoking 
cigars through the space between his teeth laughing and having a good time every night 
at 12:30 am.
I think the best thing that David Letterman ever accomplished was graduating 
from Ball State. He got exposure to performing under pressure, strict bosses, deadlines,

and most importantly airtime. David got exposed to things that he would never have 
been exposed to if he went to Indiana State. The bad time slots and poor radio equipment

forced him to rely on his humor and wit to keep things running smoothly. If he had not 
gone to Ball State we might not know the same David Letterman we do today. 
I think the worst thing David Letterman ever "accomplished" was getting married 
at the young age of nineteen. This forced him to put his radio and television career
aside 
while tried to support a family. And in the end, it caused more harm than good. His wife,

to make ends meet had to give up her love of music to support his "childish" fantasy of 
becoming a television star. This is after he gave up his for a short while to support her

music career. After it was all over, I think, they should have weighted so that neither
one 
of their careers would be jeopardized for one another.