 In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks (specifically the  World Trade Center attack in New York, only blocks from where Late  Night is taped), Letterman was reported to have said that he didnt  know if anything would ever be funny again. Most American  programming (including Late Night) was suspended in the aftermath.  However, on September 17, Late Night was one of the first comedy  shows to resume regular programming. The starting guest that night  was Dan Rather (qv), and the emotionally