PICTURE THIS

February 16, 2004

David Letterman likes to keep his guests in stitches—but this was too much. After professional snowboarder Tara Dakides careened off a 40-foot ramp while attempting a stunt for the Late Show last Thursday, landing hard on the bare pavement (inset above), the comic canceled that night's broadcast. By Monday, Dakides, who had a gash on the back of her skull sewn up but was otherwise unhurt, was out of her hospital bed and back with Dave.