CBS "Late Show" host David Letterman fulfilled his jury duty obligation in Westchester County and made it to New York City in time to tape his TV show.

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Band leader Paul Shaffer was supposed to be guest host for the Monday night show, the New York Post reported Tuesday. But Letterman surprised everyone by showing up at the Ed Sullivan Theatre in time for the taping.

Letterman, who lives in North Salem, was being considered for a medical malpractice case in state Supreme Court, but was excused from jury duty after lunch, the White Plains Journal-News said.

The Journal-News said Letterman sat quietly and read a book about Montana.

"I'll be serving jury duty next in Montana," he later joked. "I plan to serve on jury duty in all 50 states."

Letterman, by the way, celebrated his 58th birthday Tuesday.