David Letterman’s “Late Show” operated as a secret society. His writers and producers rarely talked to the media. This secrecy was part of the culture of late-night shows, but it also served an essential purpose.
Letterman’s show was at “war” with Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show” for ratings superiority. Any information or intelligence about Letterman or his show’s inner workings could be very damaging, if it got into the hands of the “enemy.” “The Tonight Show” also operated in a cocoon-like environment.
Full disclosure: I was a co-producer for Leno for almost two decades. I learned from scores of celebrities who appeared on the “Late Show,” Letterman was dealing with numerous personal demons, but his angst was much worse than even I was aware.