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LONG-SERVING HOST of ‘Late Show’ David Letterman has announced he’ll be stepping down from the role next year, after a 22-year-run.
CBS News reports that he made the announcement during the regular Thursday taping of his show in Manhattan this afternoon.
Here’s what he told the crowd:
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 theatre, all the people on the staff, everybody at home, thank you very much.
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 [Shaffer, his band-leader] and I will be wrapping things up.
His announcement comes just months after long-term rival Jay Leno presented his last ‘Tonight Show’ on rival network, NBC.
“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,” president and CEO of CBS Les Moonves said.
Letterman premiered “Late Night” on NBC in 1982, but took the show to CBS in 1993 after NBC picked Leno over him to succeed the legendary Johnny Carson as host of ‘The Tonight Show’.
Dave’s first night back after 9/11
(Youtube: Steve Noyce)
Interviewing Hunter S Thompson
(Youtube: jerkylfish)
An odd encounter with Crispin Glover
(Youtube: tminus23)
Dave welcomes back Johnny
(Youtube: UklaTheMokk)
On the late night war with Jay
(Youtube: ComedyClups)
And a remarkable confession
(Youtube: Nick Doucette)
One commentator’s already raised an intriguing prospect…
Reed Tucker / TwitterIs it even in the realm of possibility that CBS would hire Leno to replace Letterman?
— Reed Tucker (@reed_tucker) April 3, 2014
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Any chance Tubs could take over….PLEASE!!!
Tubs is the worst presenter of the worst late night chat show in the world. Quite an accomplishment really
Which is why I’d like to see him go stateside
Care within the community, for the bewildered is, as yet unproven. Regarding the benefits. Giving high profile jobs, to people who think that the currant date is 1960, is unforgivable.
Hunter S Thompson, what a legend. Just watching to clip reminds me of how well Johnny Depp played him in Fear and Loathing!
What Pat said!
Sounder than Gaybo
Louis CK would be a great replacement, provided it’s not just a scam for Letterman to get a better contract – http://www.indiewire.com/article/david-letterman-asks-louis-ck-about-the-whole-f-ck-you-scene-on-louie
There is talk of Chelsea Handler taking over.There are no female late night show presenter.She is the one that made Piers Morgan wish that he stayed in England.
Big fan of Louis CK I think his stand-up is class but I don’t know if he’d be a great interviewer. Doesn’t seem like his sort of scene
Chelsea is a female late night host???
Why is this news in Ireland? Who cares it hardly merits an article on the Journal.
Just because it’s not news to YOU doesn’t mean its not news!
I used to watch Letterman every night at eleven about 98 and 99 when I was in college.. it was on network 2. Why be so negative man?
I could be ruder to you.
It was on network 2 ? How the hell did I not know that
Bill Murray is after his job after the last night :)
Terrible show. Same old crap every night. I quit watching years ago. He has to be the least funny man on TV.
First George Hook retiring, and now this?!
Tubridy has shamelessly styled himself on the U.S. chatshow with the desk and house band. He is, however, utterly talentless and has as much charisma as his predecessor Pat ‘the hands’ Kenny, which is none. Only that thick buffoon from Cork on the Saturday night show is worse. Then they wheel out Mariane ’60 Major a day’ Finucaine on the radio to top it all. Rte has a lot to answer for.
Our best presenters work for the BBC
Good riddance to bad rubbish. Left wing hack pure and simple.
The whole world is left wing compared to you Jesco!
You’re a communist Jeremy.
Reminds me of when Flanders was imagining what it would be like if Todd and Rodd moved to Hollywood.
“Hey dad we’re movie producers now… and we’re Jewish”
never liked his show but great 9/11 speech
have your say