By 2002, Birkitt began to be featured on the "Late Show" as a character outside of her role as Letterman's assistant. She appeared during the "CBS Mailbag" segment numerous times, sometimes donning costumes that related to a specific ongoing festival or event. She interviewed "Survivor" castoffs, asking them "Did you see or touch any monkeys?" much to the feigned displeasure of Letterman. In 2002, she was named No. 21 in "USA Today's" "Pop Candy's 100 People of the Year!" list. As herself, she gave on-air reports from the sites of the Winter Olympics in 2002 and 2006. In all, she made more than 250 appearances on the program between 1996 and 2008. By the time of her final appearances on the show, in late 2008, she had completed her law school education.