David Letterman was passed over to succeed Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show, but is now poised to dethrone Carson as the longest-running late-night star in TV history.

Letterman, 64, is nearing a deal with CBS that would keep him behind the desk of the Late Show through 2014, according to The New York Times. 2014 will mark his 32nd year in late night (11 years on NBC's Late Night followed by what would be 21 years on CBS). Carson was on the air in late night for 30 years.

CBS has been authorized by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants, to make new deals with the show's staff, producers and writers, according to the newspaper. Although this indicates a deal with Letterman is "very close," as a source tells the Times, the future of CBS' other late-night host, Craig Ferguson, is uncertain. He may choose not to continue as the host of The Late Late Show.

Although it was believed that Letterman would retire at the end of his current two-year deal, which expires in August, he is now likely to stay on TV. Ferguson has a clause in his contract that he will succeed Letterman whenever he chooses to step down. However, Ferguson may leave CBS if he is not offered a big salary or a higher production budget for his show, according to the Times.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/David-Letterman-Late-Show-2014-1041578.aspx?rss=breakingnews&partnerid=popeater&profileid=breaking

Hasn't he already broken Johnny Carson's record? Carson was on for 29 years, 7 months. Letterman has been on 29 years, 11 months.

David Letterman was passed over to succeed Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show, but is now poised to dethrone Carson as the longest-running late-night star in TV history.

Letterman, 64, is nearing a deal with CBS that would keep him behind the desk of the Late Show through 2014, according to The New York Times. 2014 will mark his 32nd year in late night (11 years on NBC's Late Night followed by what would be 21 years on CBS). Carson was on the air in late night for 30 years.

CBS has been authorized by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants, to make new deals with the show's staff, producers and writers, according to the newspaper. Although this indicates a deal with Letterman is "very close," as a source tells the Times, the future of CBS' other late-night host, Craig Ferguson, is uncertain. He may choose not to continue as the host of The Late Late Show.

Although it was believed that Letterman would retire at the end of his current two-year deal, which expires in August, he is now likely to stay on TV. Ferguson has a clause in his contract that he will succeed Letterman whenever he chooses to step down. However, Ferguson may leave CBS if he is not offered a big salary or a higher production budget for his show, according to the Times.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/David-Letterman-Late-Show-2014-1041578.aspx?rss=breakingnews&partnerid=popeater&profileid=breaking

Wow, I didn't know Ferguson gets the show after Letterman!

Leno is MUCH funnier than Letterman so he deserved Tonight! Letterman's monologue blows compared to Leno!

all a matter of opinion, I don't find Leno funny in any way shape or form, just corny.

I think G.P. & the Fergs will be back - while he makes a lot of jokes at CBS's expense, THAT'S HIS JOB, and although the production values on the show are crap, i think that's part of the shows charm

- i don't know if Craig Ferguson would be ready for the earlier timeslot any time soon, he seems to be much comfier late late night when no one is watching...

all a matter of opinion, I don't find Leno funny in any way shape or form, just corny.

I think G.P. & the Fergs will be back - while he makes a lot of jokes at CBS's expense, THAT'S HIS JOB, and although the production values on the show are crap, i think that's part of the shows charm

- i don't know if Craig Ferguson would be ready for the earlier timeslot any time soon, he seems to be much comfier late late night when no one is watching...

More than just opinion.

It's the consensus that Leno is the best when his ratings have mostly been #1 since 1995!

More than just opinion.

It's the consensus that Leno is the best when his ratings have mostly been #1 since 1995!

That only proves that Leno's more popular, not necessarily that he's better.

More than just opinion.

It's the consensus that Leno is the best when his ratings have mostly been #1 since 1995!
that's like saying a Civic is better than a Ferrari because it gets better gas mileage

that's like saying a Civic is better than a Ferrari because it gets better gas mileage

NO it's not. That's a horrible analogy.

Leno is the Ferrari of Late Night.

Wow, I didn't know Ferguson gets the show after Letterman!

Leno is MUCH funnier than Letterman so he deserved Tonight! Letterman's monologue blows compared to Leno!


I think Letterman is way funnier than Leno. Why the ratings dont see that, I'll never know.

all a matter of opinion, I don't find Leno funny in any way shape or form, just corny.

I think G.P. & the Fergs will be back - while he makes a lot of jokes at CBS's expense, THAT'S HIS JOB, and although the production values on the show are crap, i think that's part of the shows charm

- i don't know if Craig Ferguson would be ready for the earlier timeslot any time soon, he seems to be much comfier late late night when no one is watching...


I agree, I like G.P. and The Fergs too but I think there better after Letterman. Hes a little raunchy and swears like a sailor, so I think he'd be better AFTER Letterman.

NO it's not. That's a horrible analogy.

Leno is the Ferrari of Late Night.
wow, its like you are living in a fairytale world :crazy:

I think Letterman is way funnier than Leno. Why the ratings dont see that, I'll never know.

LOL...you got to be kidding! Letterman is a boring old hack who puts you to sleep!

It's why Leno has won the ratings war since 1995!

I think Letterman is way funnier than Leno. Why the ratings dont see that, I'll never know.
The ratings never seem to get quality right. Although, Letterman bores me just as much as Leno. More of a Jimmy/Conan person myself.

The ratings never seem to get quality right. Although, Letterman bores me just as much as Leno. More of a Jimmy/Conan person myself.

Leno wins on the strength of his monologue which is the best in late night!

Neither of them are funny. Their writers, however, have their moments.

NO it's not. That's a horrible analogy.

Leno is the Ferrari of Late Night.

I get that you're a Leno fan, but you sound just a little overzealous.

Much prefer Letterman, always have. Used to like Leno, but he lost me forever after Conangate.

I get that you're a Leno fan, but you sound just a little overzealous.

Much prefer Letterman, always have. Used to like Leno, but he lost me forever after Conangate.

Leno beat Letterman last year and he's beating him so far this year!

The king is still on top!