Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

Ed Sullivan Theater Vandalized, Letterman's Show Will Go On


By

Christopher Robbins

Published Jul 10, 2011

Modified Jul 10, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Via Chris Wood's Flickr

 


By

Christopher Robbins

Published Jul 10, 2011

Modified Jul 10, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Early this morning a "blind drunk" man shattered the glass doors of the Ed Sullivan Theater in Midtown, entered the lobby and flipped over trash cans, making a mess of the home of David Letterman's Late Show. Police responded to a 911 call around 7 a.m. and arrested 22-year-old James Whittemore, who had a cut on his face and was later taken to the hospital. There are more constructive ways to express your disappointment that LiLo pulled out of an appearance.

And don't worry, Letterman's actual set was safe and sound thanks to a padlock, while CBS and his production company noted in a statement that they'll be taping the show as usual on Monday, and that they are "grateful for the NYPD's quick and effective response." A tourist from Arizona passing by told the Daily News "It's ignorant. They should enjoy this beautiful place. Not tear it down. We come to see beautiful places like this, and he ruins it." We love Stupid Pet Tricks as much as the next fellow, but maybe he's confusing the Midtown theater with the Statue of Liberty. Presumably Jay Leno will be posting Whittemore's bail.

Tagged

david letterman

ed sullivan theater

midtown


Christopher Robbins

Twitter

Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE arts-entertainment

The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?

Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.

By

Lindsay Lee Wallace

Published Oct 8, 2026 at 11:10 a.m. ET


Is the NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?

If you're playing tourist in your own town, this is an in-demand option.

By

James Ramsay

Arts & Entertainment

Is the NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?

If you're playing tourist in your own town, this is an in-demand option.

By

James Ramsay


What happens when NYC kids take lessons in rock music? Really good bands.

By

Jayson Greene

Inside a photographer's journey to visit every neighborhood in New York City

By

Sonia Rao

Banned books and Winnie the Pooh: October in NYC libraries

By

Alec Hamilton


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .