Sandler Fills in for Ailing Letterman

Late night talk show host David Letterman makes a surprise appearance at the Primetime Emmy Awards in this Sept. 18, 2005 file photo taken in Los Angeles. Letterman showed up for work, but had to go home sick Tuesday, March 20, 2007, before taping the "Late Show." A stomach bug was to blame, a network spokeswoman said. Adam Sandler, one of the night's guests, was quickly enlisted to fill in as host. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) (Mark J. Terrill - AP)

NEW YORK -- David Letterman showed up for work, but had to go home sick Tuesday before taping the "Late Show." A stomach bug was to blame, a network spokeswoman said. Adam Sandler, one of the night's guests, was quickly enlisted to fill in as host.

The CBS late-night personality has had extended absences following heart surgery and a case of the shingles. But this was believed to be the first time Letterman showed up for work and couldn't go on.

He will have time to recover. Letterman had taped Wednesday's show in advance, and he's being pre-empted for NCAA basketball on Thursday and Friday.