The Late Show with David Letterman Marquee Sweepstakes: Win a Piece of Television History
What’s 20 feet long, 8 feet high, belongs in the Smithsonian — but could end up in your garage?
The answer: The Late Show with David Letterman marquee. The familiar blue-and-yellow sign hung outside the Ed Sullivan Theater at Broadway and 53rd Street for the entire run of Letterman’s CBS late-night show, from 1993 to 2013.
Now that oversized piece of television history, which has been sitting in storage for a decade, is the grand prize in a sweepstakes benefiting Habitat for Humanity, the Atlanta-based nonprofit that builds and repairs homes for low-income families and individuals. Letterman is a longtime supporter of the organization, having first volunteered with Habitat in New Orleans as part of its response to 2005’s Hurricane Katrina.
For a donation of $10 or more, anyone can enter the sweepstakes at GiveAwayDave.com until Dec. 31. The grand prize also includes a trip to New York City to meet Letterman and his longtime band leader Paul Shaffer. The winner will appear alongside the two TV legends on The Barbara Gaines Show, a YouTube show, hosted by Letterman’s former executive producer Barbara Gaines, that fondly looks back on the Late Show years. And, of course, the winner gets to take home the Late Show sign (worth noting: it’s a side panel, not the longer center panel).
In a promotional video announcing the contest, Letterman, sporting a Late Show bomber jacket and white beard, reunites with Shaffer, in black-and-gray polo and sunglasses, as they bill themselves as “Giveaway Dave” and “Giveaway Paul.” The two slip right back into the easygoing patter that made them such a comforting mainstay of late-night TV for decades.
“Come and meet Dave,” Letterman says. “That’s all I was told.”
The Late Show with David Letterman marquee holds significant historical value, having been an iconic symbol of New York City and late-night television for two decades. The sign, which hung outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in Manhattan, became a familiar sight to countless tourists and locals who passed by the theater during Letterman’s tenure.
Letterman, known for his irreverent humor and distinctive interviewing style, turned the Late Show into a cultural phenomenon during his time as host. The show featured a mix of celebrity interviews, musical performances, and offbeat comedy sketches that endeared it to a devoted fanbase. The marquee, with its bold, illuminated lettering, served as a backdrop for many memorable moments on the show.
The decision to offer the Late Show marquee as a sweepstakes prize reflects Letterman’s ongoing commitment to charitable causes. Habitat for Humanity, the organization benefiting from the sweepstakes, has a long history of providing housing solutions for those in need. By participating in the sweepstakes, donors not only have a chance to win a unique piece of television history but also contribute to a worthy cause that aligns with Letterman’s philanthropic efforts.
In addition to the grand prize, the sweepstakes offers participants the opportunity to meet Letterman and Shaffer in person. The winners will have the chance to interact with the legendary TV host and his longtime musical collaborator, gaining insight into their experiences on the Late Show and beyond.
The Barbara Gaines Show, where the winners will make an appearance alongside Letterman and Shaffer, provides a platform for reliving the nostalgic moments of the Late Show era. Hosted by Barbara Gaines, the former executive producer of the Late Show, the YouTube show offers viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the iconic program and features conversations with key figures from the show’s history.
Furthermore, the chance to take home a piece of the Late Show sign adds an extra layer of excitement to the sweepstakes. The sign’s distinctive design and association with a beloved late-night institution make it a valuable and sought-after collector’s item for enthusiasts of television memorabilia.
In summary, the Late Show with David Letterman marquee sweepstakes presents a unique opportunity for fans of late-night television to engage with the show’s legacy while supporting a charitable cause. With a donation to Habitat for Humanity, participants can enter to win the iconic sign, meet Letterman and Shaffer, and experience the magic of the Late Show firsthand. By taking part in the sweepstakes, donors not only have the chance to win a prized piece of television history but also contribute to the mission of providing affordable housing for individuals and families in need.
