David Letterman warms up his studio audience before a "Late Night" taping in 1982. The show made its debut that year.
In pictures: 40 years of 'Late Night'
David Letterman warms up his studio audience before a "Late Night" taping in 1982. The show made its debut that year.
George Rose/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Published 7:29 PM EST, Mon January 31, 2022

NBC's "Late Night" premiered 40 years ago, when David Letterman — coming off a short-lived NBC morning show — moved into the hour after Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show."

Letterman will be returning to the show this week to mark that anniversary, joining current host Seth Meyers, who is only the fourth host in the program's four-decade history.

When Letterman left to join CBS in 1993, NBC passed the baton to a then-unknown comedy writer named Conan O'Brien. O'Brien occupied that seat longer than anyone else, leaving in 2009 to take over "The Tonight Show" (although not for long). Jimmy Fallon stepped in for the next five years before replacing Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show," giving way to Meyers, who like Fallon was another "Saturday Night Live" veteran.

Here's a look back at some memorable moments featuring each of those hosts.

Letterman smiles as he hosts the "Late Night" premiere in 1982. The show, since its beginnings, has been produced in New York City.
Letterman smiles as he hosts the "Late Night" premiere in 1982. The show, since its beginnings, has been produced in New York City.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Letterman is joined by his longtime sidekick, Paul Shaffer, who was also the "Late Night" music director and band leader.
Letterman is joined by his longtime sidekick, Paul Shaffer, who was also the "Late Night" music director and band leader.
NBC/Everett Collection
Letterman interviews singer Tina Turner in 1984.
Letterman interviews singer Tina Turner in 1984.
R.M. Lewis Jr./NBC/Getty Images
Letterman performs with "Late Night" regular Calvert DeForest, who played character Larry "Bud" Melman.
Letterman performs with "Late Night" regular Calvert DeForest, who played character Larry "Bud" Melman.
NBC/Everett Collection
Farmer Bob Corbett shepherds his prize-winning boar past Letterman on the "Late Night" set in 1987.
Farmer Bob Corbett shepherds his prize-winning boar past Letterman on the "Late Night" set in 1987.
G. Paul Burnett/AP
Letterman performs with musician Ted Nugent in 1987.
Letterman performs with musician Ted Nugent in 1987.
NBC/Getty Images
Letterman and sports commentator Marv Albert tape a segment in the New York Mets' dugout in 1988.
Letterman and sports commentator Marv Albert tape a segment in the New York Mets' dugout in 1988.
Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Letterman and magician Penn Jillette watch Teller perform a card trick inside a water tank in 1989.
Letterman and magician Penn Jillette watch Teller perform a card trick inside a water tank in 1989.
Paul Natkin/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Letterman hosts a show in Chicago in 1989.
Letterman hosts a show in Chicago in 1989.
Paul Natkin/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Letterman's "Late Night" successor, Conan O'Brien, does a bit with sidekick Andy Richter, left, in 1993.
Letterman's "Late Night" successor, Conan O'Brien, does a bit with sidekick Andy Richter, left, in 1993.
Norman Ng/NBC/Getty Images
Richter appears to give birth to a puppy during a "Late Night" segment.
Richter appears to give birth to a puppy during a "Late Night" segment.
NBC/Everett Collection
Letterman had Paul Schaffer and the World's Most Dangerous Band playing music during his show. O'Brien had drummer Max Weinberg and The Max Weinberg 7.
Letterman had Paul Schaffer and the World's Most Dangerous Band playing music during his show. O'Brien had drummer Max Weinberg and The Max Weinberg 7.
Norman Ng/NBC/Getty Images
O'Brien interviews television personality — and future US President — Donald Trump during a "Late Night" episode.
O'Brien interviews television personality — and future US President — Donald Trump during a "Late Night" episode.
Norman Ng/NBC/Getty Images
O'Brien gets some hair assistance from Martha Stewart.
O'Brien gets some hair assistance from Martha Stewart.
NBC/Everett Collection
O'Brien performs with actor John C. Reilly during a Chicago taping in 2006.
O'Brien performs with actor John C. Reilly during a Chicago taping in 2006.
Dana Edelson/NBC/Everett Collection
Jimmy Fallon succeeded O'Brien and became the third-ever "Late Night" host in 2009.
Jimmy Fallon succeeded O'Brien and became the third-ever "Late Night" host in 2009.
Dana Edelson/NBC/Getty Images
Fallon races bumper cars with actor Dylan McDermott in 2009.
Fallon races bumper cars with actor Dylan McDermott in 2009.
Dana Edelson/NBC/Getty Images
Fallon interviews actress Betty White in 2009.
Fallon interviews actress Betty White in 2009.
Dana Edelson/NBC/Getty Images
Fallon appears with puppies on a "Late Night" episode in 2011. They were helping him predict the winners of the upcoming Academy Awards.
Fallon appears with puppies on a "Late Night" episode in 2011. They were helping him predict the winners of the upcoming Academy Awards.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images
Fallon receives his own Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor in 2011.
Fallon receives his own Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor in 2011.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images
Fallon's in-house music was played by the band The Roots.
Fallon's in-house music was played by the band The Roots.
Lloyd Bishop/NBC/Getty Images
Fallon shakes hands with US service members during a Fleet Week show in 2011.
Fallon shakes hands with US service members during a Fleet Week show in 2011.
Lloyd Bishop/NBC/Getty Images
Fallon and first lady Michelle Obama participate in a potato sack race in the White House in 2012.
Fallon and first lady Michelle Obama participate in a potato sack race in the White House in 2012.
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Talk-show host Kelly Ripa has pie all over her face during a "Late Night" segment with Fallon
Talk-show host Kelly Ripa has pie all over her face during a "Late Night" segment with Fallon
Lloyd Bishop/NBC/Getty Images
Fallon wears a "Game of Thrones" costume during the taping of a "Late Night" segment.
Fallon wears a "Game of Thrones" costume during the taping of a "Late Night" segment.
Lloyd Bishop/NBC/Getty Images
Fallon and singer Bruce Springsteen perform a song they called the Gov. Christie Traffic Jam in 2014.
Fallon and singer Bruce Springsteen perform a song they called the Gov. Christie Traffic Jam in 2014.
Lloyd Bishop/NBC/Getty Images
Seth Meyers delivers a monologue in 2014, when he took over for Fallon.
Seth Meyers delivers a monologue in 2014, when he took over for Fallon.
Peter Kramer/NBC/Getty Images
Meyers interviews then Vice President — and future President — Joe Biden in 2014.
Meyers interviews then Vice President — and future President — Joe Biden in 2014.
Peter Kramer/NBC/Getty Images
Meyers films a skit with a New York Yankees bat boy in 2015.
Meyers films a skit with a New York Yankees bat boy in 2015.
Lloyd Bishop/NBC/Getty Images
Meyers and Connor O'Malley are seen during a "Telepathic Band Sit In" sketch in 2016.
Meyers and Connor O'Malley are seen during a "Telepathic Band Sit In" sketch in 2016.
Lloyd Bishop/NBC/Getty Images
Meyers and actor Andrew Rannells hold baby tigers during a segment with wildlife expert Corbin Maxey in 2016.
Meyers and actor Andrew Rannells hold baby tigers during a segment with wildlife expert Corbin Maxey in 2016.
Lloyd Bishop/NBC/Getty Images
Meyers talks with the audience while taping a show at the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC, in 2016.
Meyers talks with the audience while taping a show at the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC, in 2016.
Lloyd Bishop/NBC/Getty Images
Comedian Retta holds a drink for Meyers during a day drinking segment in 2017.
Comedian Retta holds a drink for Meyers during a day drinking segment in 2017.
Lloyd Bishop/NBC/Getty Images
Meyers takes part in a sketch in 2017.
Meyers takes part in a sketch in 2017.
Lloyd Bishop/NBC/Getty Images
Meyers does a remote interview with actors Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz and Justin Hartley in 2021. Many shows had gone to remote interviews because of the Covid-19 pandemic. During this particular week, Meyers himself had tested positive.
Meyers does a remote interview with actors Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz and Justin Hartley in 2021. Many shows had gone to remote interviews because of the Covid-19 pandemic. During this particular week, Meyers himself had tested positive.
Lloyd Bishop/NBC/Getty Images