Jay Leno said goodbye to The Tonight Show this year and tonight on CBS’s The Late Show David Letterman announced that he will be retiring from late night TV next year according to
REM’s Mike Mills. The musician, who is performing on tonight’s show Tweeted, “Dave just announced his retirement #2015 #muchlovedave”.
David Letterman began hosting Late Night on NBC back in 1982 and held that job until Jay Leno took The Tonight Show from him in 1993. He then switched networks to host The Late Show where he has been ever since then.
He is late night’s longest host, with what will be a 1/3rd of a century under his belt, when he retires next year. Conan O’Brien who took over Late Night from is next with 20 years of hosting followed by Jimmy Kimmel at 11 years, Craig Ferguson at 9 years, Jimmy Fallon at 5 years and Arsenio Hall and Seth Meyers with less than a year. Late Night will definitely feel his loss and it will be interesting to see how it changes without him. Since he is part of the old school way of doing Late Night.
When it comes to the people who could replace him, there has been much talk that CBS wants Jon Stewart to fill the slot but The Daily Show host is rumored not to want it. What about Craig Ferguson, who hosts The Late Late Show? I don’t think he would want it and his ratings are not what CBS would want at 11:35p. Then there is Chelsea Handler, who is reportedly saying goodbye to E! at the end of this year, and I think she would be an awful choice. Then there is Drew Carey, who filled in for his former castmate Ferguson on April 1st, was it a test run for the host of The Price is Right? They could go with Howard Stern because he has calmed down in later years and is a big draw when he’s on the show. Or maybe they will surprise with someone we never expected which could be about anyone else.
Who do you think should replace him?
Now when it comes to Letterman’s final season, I really hope they get some of his most infamous guests to come back and say goodbye to him like Drew Barrymore, Joaquin Phoenix and Madonna to name a few. Maybe recreate their outrageous interviews that are still being talked about until this day.
I will miss David Letterman, but he has earned the right to enjoy some much needed time off.
UPDATE: According to Variety, this is what he told the audience on tonight’s show at 11:35p.
The man who owns this network, Leslie Moonves, he and I have had a relationship for years and years and years, and we have had this conversation in the past, and we agreed that we would work together on this circumstance and the timing of this circumstance. And I phoned him just before the program, and I said ‘Leslie, it’s been great, you’ve been great, and the network has been great, but I’m retiring,’
I just want to reiterate my thanks for the support from the network, all of the people who have worked here, all of the people in the theater, all the people on the staff, everybody at home, thank you very much. What this means now, is that Paul and I can be married.
We don’t have the timetable for this precisely down – I think it will be at least a year or so, but sometime in the not too distant future, 2015 for the love of God, in fact, Paul and I will be wrapping things up.
UPDATE 2: Here is what the head of CBS, Les Moonves, said about Letterman’s retirement,
When Dave decided on a one-year extension for his most recent contract, we knew this day was getting closer, but that doesn’t make the moment any less poignant for us. For 21 years, David Letterman has graced our Network’s air in late night with wit, gravitas and brilliance unique in the history of our medium. During that time, Dave has given television audiences thousands of hours of comedic entertainment, the sharpest interviews in late night, and brilliant moments of candor and perspective around national events. He’s also managed to keep many celebrities, politicians and executives on their toes – including me. There is only one David Letterman. His greatness will always be remembered here, and he will certainly sit among the pantheon of this business. On a personal note, it’s been a privilege to get to know Dave and to enjoy a terrific relationship. It’s going to be tough to say goodbye. Fortunately, we won’t have to do that for another year or so. Until then, we look forward to celebrating Dave’s remarkable show and incredible talents.
UPDATE 3: Here is Mike Mills talking about breaking the news.
UPDATE 4: Here is David Letterman on The Late Show announcing his retirement.
