David Letterman is retiring

David Letterman announces he will retire from 'Late Show' in 2015

By the time he officially signs off, Letterman will have hosted 'Late Show' for 22 years.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/david-letterman-announces-retiring-2015-article-1.1744843

I better get to work on my résumé.

Woody wrote: By the time he officially signs off, Letterman will have hosted 'Late Show' for 22 years.

Plus another ten years before that on NBC, as well as a short lived daytime talk show that ran the summer of 1980.

I found his replacement.

^Perfect.

I was a huge Letterman fan for many years going back to Late Night. But I haven't watched much in the last few years. He's become too cranky and political for my tastes. He's still a good interviewer, though.

I would imagine they'll move Craig Ferguson up to the 11:30 slot, though they might want to go for someone younger to try and compete with the Jimmys.

Will Howard Stern lobby for the late show? Too spoiled by life in the Hamptons at this point to work every day?

I watched Dave all through Late Night, and, when I watched a tonight/Late Show, generally would pick him instead of Jay. Jimmy Fallon, I never watched at all, until they started to promote him and the new Tonight show. He's brilliant. Maybe a bit over the top as an interviewer, but his music and games bits with the guests are wonderful. Since I'm old and decrepit, I DVR it every night. Haven't missed an episode yet.

Its time for Dave to move on, I think. I watched him last night, and it seems he's playing up the "old, out of touch" guy. He has nothing left to prove, and he certainly can't need any more money.

So will he retire for a year then decide he wants his job back

Like Michael Jordan?

Appleseed wrote: Like Michael Jordan?

Doubt that he has a huge gambling problem that needs covering up.

Maybe he's better at covering it up?

OHSCrifle wrote: Will Howard Stern lobby for the late show? Too spoiled by life in the Hamptons at this point to work every day?

Funny you mention Howard, I think he is a shoe in!! He has said many times he would love to take over The Late Show, if Dave retires.. He has also said he would ditch America's Got Talent ASAP to take over The Late Show. He apparently only signs to A.G.T. year by year.

He said, it would be far easier for him to do his radio show and The Late Show. Than A.G.T. and the radio show, since he wouldn't have to travel to do The Late Show.

My question is this.. Would E.T.M. Fly with balloons on The Late Show??

he's about 20 years too late.. the only good stuff that's had his name attached to it lately is the Foo Fighters "Live on Letterman" concert...

it's about time.....

I used to watch that daytime show. He really should have retired about 5 years ago.

Keith Olbermann talks about Dave, including some racing references: http://deadspin.com/keith-olbermanns-tribute-to-david-letterman-is-great-1558210226

I don't really watch any TV now, but when I did, Letterman was my favourite late night show. There was a time in the early 80's that nobody in Canada, or any of the channels we got on our cable carried that show. Since I lived right on Lake Ontario, I was able to get it with an antenna.

I always thought Letterman was a natural to take over the tonight show, which I had been watching since I was a kid. IMO, Leno was a bad choice.

drsmooth wrote:

OHSCrifle wrote: Will Howard Stern lobby for the late show? Too spoiled by life in the Hamptons at this point to work every day?

Funny you mention Howard, I think he is a shoe in!! He has said many times he would love to take over The Late Show, if Dave retires.. He has also said he would ditch America's Got Talent ASAP to take over The Late Show. He apparently only signs to A.G.T. year by year. He said, it would be far easier for him to do his radio show and The Late Show. Than A.G.T. and the radio show, since he wouldn't have to travel to do The Late Show. My question is this.. Would E.T.M. Fly with balloons on The Late Show??

LOL at the little curmudgeon reference.

I dropped Sirius a couple years ago after listening to him on and off since 1988.. Wonder what he is up to sometimes.

I think he would do the late show justice.. A great interviewer. But I don't see it happening.

I bet John Stewart goes for it.

In reply to Spoolpigeon: +1

Chelsea Handler and Craig Ferguson are apparently in the mix. Both are funny but Handler's interviewing skills aren't up to Ferguson's level; she's a bit too snarky for my taste.

http://www.thewrap.com/cbs-david-letterman-chelsea-handler-late-show

While I rarely (like never) watch late-night talk fests, I can't say I'm saddened by Letterman's departure. He was funny and entertaining once but he has devolved into a geriatric Bill Maher wannabe.

drsmooth wrote:

OHSCrifle wrote: Will Howard Stern lobby for the late show? Too spoiled by life in the Hamptons at this point to work every day?

Funny you mention Howard, I think he is a shoe in!! He has said many times he would love to take over The Late Show, if Dave retires.. He has also said he would ditch America's Got Talent ASAP to take over The Late Show. He apparently only signs to A.G.T. year by year. He said, it would be far easier for him to do his radio show and The Late Show. Than A.G.T. and the radio show, since he wouldn't have to travel to do The Late Show. My question is this.. Would E.T.M. Fly with balloons on The Late Show??

CBS will not replace a guy in his 60s with a guy who just turned 60.

I think they will find somebody of the Fallon/Kimmel age. TV is pretty famous for following the leader, and Fallon has been pulling some monster ratings. CBS is going to want a chunk of that number. I saw an article suggesting Steven Colbert. I'd put John Stewart on the list too. Howard is antique, and polarizing. I can't listen to him.

I really enjoy Craig Ferguson, but I'm not sure CBS is going to want to put the weight of the network on the shoulders of a robotic skeleton. He is surprisingly well paid, and based on the article below, Fallon will be lobbying for a raise pretty quick..

http://talkshows.about.com/od/talkshowfun/tp/The-Top-10-Richest-Late-Night-Talk-Show-Hosts.htm

I could see Fallon or Stewart hopping in the seat. I really can't see Handler or Stern getting the nod.