In show business, I find that I have pretended to be someone I'm truly not. In my life here in Indiana and at my home with my family, I am probably the person I actually am. And I regret that they don't kind of cross at any point. This reflects Letterman's internal conflict between his public persona and his private self, illustrating how fame led to a disconnection from his true identity.
Yes. You're exactly right. And I don't know, maybe it's only because I went through show business. I got that out of my system eventually that I can concentrate on being a better person. I just feel like personally, I have greater humanity than I did when I was in show business. It was all single-minded and great pressure, real unimagined, and I felt like it's all on me, and it's all on me, and that it was all nonsense.
There's a couple of things going on there. I was drinking heavily in those days - that may have provided some fuel for misery. And I guess not achieving what I imagined to be, like - you take Johnny Carson, there's never going to be anybody as good at that kind of show as Johnny. Nobody better. Maybe there are people now who are excellent broadcasters and as good as Johnny, but nobody better. So here I am thinking: 'Oh crap, I am not going to be that.' This quote offers insight into Letterman’s struggles with alcoholism and professional inadequacy, shaping his emotional struggles during the peak of his career.
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