Before the (relatively) early-morning screening I was attending this morning, I swung by Caroline’s Comedy Club. Just to see. I knew there would be something there, some sign, some acknowledgement, and there was. Caroline’s is only a couple of blocks south from the Ed Sullivan Theatre (on the opposite side of the street). Dave has always been there. I’ve attended his show a couple of times. I’ve watched since I was a kid. I love him. It’s really the end of something. Not just his show, but an era. I feel sad about it. The various tributes have been beautiful.
We stayed at the Ameritania hotel for a few days in August of 1998. Underneath the hotel was a shop run by a couple of guys that Dave was chatting with and doing Dave stuff with in those days. We were excited. Did not get to see the show. There was a year long wait at that time. But we were so close to the theatre and loved strolling by it.
This was during the Conde Nast scaffolding collapse. Time square was a pedestrian mall. Memorable.
One of the things I loved about Dave was his support of Warren Zevon. WZ had filled in for Paul with the band many times when healthy. When he was dying and recording final months in MTV video, he made his final appearance on Dave’s show. Respectful, upbeat, and so valued by those of us who wished the dying were not happening. As ascerbic as Dave could be, the heart and soul showed. So much and so many ways large and small.