Mike Mills of R.E.M., of all people, just broke the news that David Letterman has announced that he is retiring from hosting The Late Show next year. CBS confirmed the news shortly thereafter. As you should be well aware, Jay Leno just stepped down as host of The Tonight Show on NBC and was replaced by Jimmy Fallon. With news of Letterman‘s retirement, the search is on for the coveted job as his replacement … but that’s a discussion for another day. Today, we process the news that after two decades behind The Late Show desk, David Letterman is leaving the world of late night talk shows. UPDATE: Read below and find out what Letterman said exactly when he announced his retirement today.
David Letterman said Thursday he would be retiring from his CBS show in 2015. CBS announced Mr. Letterman’s decision late in the afternoon, after the taping of Thursday’s show. Mr. Letterma has hosted the show, “Late Night With David Letterman,” since 1993. Last October CBS extended his contract into 2015 … The news first leaked out in a Tweet from Mike Mills, from the band R.E.M., who was a musical guest on the show, which was taped Thursday afternoon.
Dave just announced his retirement #2015 #muchlovedave
— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) April 3, 2014
Wow. Letterman‘s departure from late night will essentially mean that the world of late night talk shows will be taken over by a new crop of younger hosts. This is pretty big news. I honestly never even considered the possibility that Letterman might be ready to retire. He’s been hosting The Late Show since 1993 so I guess 20+ years is long enough for him. It’ll be very interesting to see who will take his place on the show. Wouldn’t it be amazing if he were replaced permanently by a female host? Who do YOU think should take Letterman‘s place as host of The Late Show when he retires next year?
UPDATE: This is what Letterman said during the taping of tonight’s episode of The Late Show when he announced his retirement:
“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’. 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.”
Here is the official statement just released by CBS CEO Leslie Moonves:
“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.”
Very true, there is only one David Letterman. The chatter seems to be that Stephen Colbert might be approached as Letterman‘s replacement. Interesting.