George H.W. Bush: "Our long national nightmare is over"

Bill Clinton: "Our long national nightmare is over"

George W. Bush: "Our long national nightmare is over"

Barack Obama: "Our long national nightmare is over"

"Letterman is retiring"

Letterman: (laughs) "You're just kidding, right?"

It's the end of a late night comedy era - as David Letterman leaves his 'Late Show' desk

after 33 years.

But the 68-year-old, who started out as a weatherman in Indianapolis, proved himself

to be as witty as ever on his final show.

"Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Late Show. I want to tell you

one thing, I'll be honest with you, it's beginning to look like I'm not going to get

the Tonight Show."

To the mark the momentous occasion, rival Jimmy Kimmel earlier refused to air his own

show which runs at the same time as Mr Letterman's, urging viewers to tune in to watch his idol

instead.

As well as a host of US presidents, a bevy of comedy stars bid farewell to the veteran host, taking part in one of his signature acts.

More of his trademark self-deprecation followed when he observed that he had done more than

6,000 shows.

"I was here for most of them and I can tell you that a pretty high percentage of

those shows just absolutely sucked."

Letterman even took a moment to introduce and thank his family as the lights briefly came up in

the Ed Sullivan Theater in Manhattan's Times Square district.

The show, which ran long for more than one hour and 15 minutes, ended as Letterman introduced

his favorite band- the Foo Fighters.

Letterman: "Alright, that's pretty much all I got, the only thing I have left to do for the last time on a television programme - thank you, and goodnight"

Before the talk show king bowed out - he blew a final kiss to his cheering audience.

Letterman's successor, Stephen Colbert, will take over in September.