letterman's late show. >> it really hurt letterman and it became an extremely difficult struggle for him to count all that momentum at nbc. >> if you want to influence a congressman, you have to send him a full beer can. that's not -- >> jay leno went on to win the ratings wars for 15 years. gradually, dave made peace with it. >> he is more comfortable as the hipper, slightly skewed show with the slightly skewed attitude than being at number one. >> it doesn't matter what the ratings are. it really doesn't matter. the fact of the matter is, dave is the best there ever was. dave started something. >> in 2000, dave showed a much softer side after emergency heart bypass surgery and five weeks off the air, he returned, giving a touching tribute to the hospital staff who helped him. >> these men and women right here saved my life. >> and when dave shows his human