'I'm now the most humorous person in the world': Letterman on Mark Twain prize

Washington

IT WAS all because of a 1978 appearance on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, the story goes, that David Letterman found his audience.

An unknown stand-up comedian then, Letterman appeared relaxed and confident telling jokes in a short set, then bantering in the guest chair next to Carson's desk. Landing on the show, and earning Carson's approval, meant he had made it.

"I have a feeling with your shot on this show tonight that you're going to be working a lot outside of the Comedy Store," Carson said at the end of Letterman's segment, referring to the West Hollywood club that was a haven for young comics.

One place Letterman would go - 39 years later - was the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where on Sun…