NBC claimed "intellectual property rights" on many of Letterman's famous running gags and characters from his original show. As a result, the character of "Larry Bud Melman" was retired (though the actor remained with the show and appeared under his real name), and such traditions as "Viewer Mail", "Stupid Pet Tricks", and the "Top 10 List" were simply renamed. This controversy was the subject of much ridicule during the 1993-94 TV season, mostly from Letterman himself.