http://tvline.com/2014/04/03/david-letterman-retiring-2015-leaving-late-show/

David Letterman just announced during tonight's "Late Show" taping that he'll step down in one year, according to tonight's musical guest, REM bassist Mike Mills, who tweeted the news that has since been confirmed (http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/david-letterman-to-retire-from-cbs-in-2015-1201152380/). Letterman turns 67 next week, and by next year he will have been working in late-night for 33 years, a record for a talk show host.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#iQFHYjJ466wvrKDF.99

Here comes John Stewart or Colbert, can't think of anyone close that can fill the letterman void against Fallon, who will continue to dominate in the ratings and precious demos.

Cheaper for CBS to bring back the old real "The Late Show" (movies) or reruns of series, or turn back to affliates.

Bravest thing to do is get a woman in network latenight, forget monologues, do something different and original!

or did I just hear Leno speeding to CBS....LOL

Jay Leno.
CBS demographics always are a tad bit older, so they wouldn't need to go for a young one.

Sign Leno for say 5 years.

Craig is not ready for prime time.
Conan is a joke.

Colbert and Stewart wouldn't be able to do the same thing they do successfully now as host of late night.

Best second choice and most fitting as a "Johnny Carson" would be Drew Carey

and Jay or Drew could move the show out west, as most of the others are now in NYC (Jimmy,Seth, Colbert, Stewart) etc.

Hey, Paul Schaffer could do a remake of "Greg and Paul" (without the hair he had way back then...anyone remember that show?)

Link (http://http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/david-letterman-to-retire-from-cbs-in-2015-1201152380/)

In a move that will complete the generational transition in latenight, David Letterman is preparing to retire from CBS next year.

Letterman, who will turn 67 on April 12, disclosed his decision during Thursday afternoon’s taping of “The Late Show.”

“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,’” Letterman said.

“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.”

Afterward, Letterman received a standing ovation from the audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater.

Sources said there was no creative license in Letterman’s statement. CBS Corp. chief Moonves got the official word from Letterman on his decision to retire shortly before Thursday’s taping.

“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,” Moonves said in a statement.

“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,” Moonves said.

Last year, Letterman re-upped his contract with the Eye network in a two-year deal that was expected to be his last. But sources close to the situation advised that Letterman may stick around a little bit longer past the August expiration of his current contract.


As of next year, Letterman will have hosted “Late Show” on CBS for 22 years. He logged 11 years as host of NBC’s “Late Night” before famously being passed over at NBC for Johnny Carson’s throne on “The Tonight Show” — over Carson’s objection. Letterman has logged more than 6,000 episodes during his long career. The combination of his NBC and CBS runs makes him the longest-serving latenight host in history, surpassing Carson’s 30-year tenure.

Word of Letterman’s plan spread quickly via Twitter on Thursday afternoon after musician Mike Mills, who appears on Thursday’s show, noted Letterman’s big news following the taping.

Letterman’s departure will cap a busy period of host shuffling in latenight following Jay Leno’s retirement from “The Tonight Show” in February, which made way for Jimmy Fallon to take the helm on Feb. 17.

Staying on through 2015 will allow Letterman to comfortably outlast his longtime rival, although Leno had the ratings advantage during most of his 22-year run on NBC. Sources close to the situation were also adamant that the decision was Letterman’s, with no nudge from CBS despite the fact that he is now going up against much younger competitors on NBC and ABC.

With Letterman stepping down, the latenight TV landscape will be dominated by hosts (Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, Craig Ferguson, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien) who came of age professionally in the post-Johnny Carson era. Arsenio Hall, who returned to latenight this past fall with a syndicated series, is the lone exception.

In fact, Letterman is the bigger influence on his contemporary crop of rivals. ABC’s Kimmel has made no secret of idolizing his 11:35 p.m. competitor.

Hall was equally effusive: “I have had the unique pleasure of watching him as a fan and competing against him as a fellow host. He has set a standard for comedy in late night that I strive to achieve every single day,” he said.

Confirmation of Letterman’s retirement raises the question about his successor. Ferguson has hosted “The Late Late Show” following Letterman since 2005, but it’s not clear if CBS sees him as 11:35 p.m. successor potential. CBS reps would not comment on succession questions Thursday, emphasizing that today’s news was “all about Dave.”

Ferguson has been in contract talks with CBS in recent months as his current deal is believed to expire later this year. He has a clause in his contract that calls for him to either succeed Letterman or command a form of payout from CBS. Ferguson has stepped up his activity outside of “The Late Late Show” as a producer and as talent in the past few years. He’s set to debut this fall as host of the syndicated gameshow strip “Celebrity Name Game,” from distributor Debmar-Mercury.

Since his start on CBS in 1993, Letterman has owned both “The Late Show” and “The Late Late Show,” which was first hosted by Tom Snyder and then Craig Kilborn prior to Ferguson. He has the contractual right to control the show that follows his at 12:37 p.m., and it is believed that Letterman and his Worldwide Pants production banner may still have some measure of involvement in CBS’ latenight lineup even after his retirement.

Owning his show has given Letterman an unusual degree of control over his destiny at CBS — a welcome change after his unhappy exit from NBC. “The Late Show” has also made him very rich. At one point he was said to have commanded an annual paycheck of about $30 million, though his salary has been downsized some in his last few contracts.

My money is on Chelsea Handler. The question is: Can she work non-blue?

Jay Leno.
CBS demographics always are a tad bit older, so they wouldn't need to go for a young one.

Sign Leno for say 5 years.

Craig is not ready for prime time.
Conan is a joke.

Colbert and Stewart wouldn't be able to do the same thing they do successfully now as host of late night.

Best second choice and most fitting as a "Johnny Carson" would be Drew Carey

and Jay or Drew could move the show out west, as most of the others are now in NYC (Jimmy,Seth, Colbert, Stewart) etc.

Hey, Paul Schaffer could do a remake of "Greg and Paul" (without the hair he had way back then...anyone remember that show?)

Agreed! My Jay Leno remark really wasn't such a joke.....California polititians already have written to Les Moonves about bringing show to the quake state, since they sorely are missing a real top show, I like Kimmel but he doesn't hold a candle to Fallon, yet I feel there is still an older audience for Leno who was still #1 when he signed off. Yet for awhile I really felt Leno would take the the piers slot on CNN....but that would really be a odd show if CNN wants continue to be considered a real news network, and I don't think Leno could sit and just do a informal less funny chat fest. His ego is too big and he likes stand-up, etc..too much.....

Also yes Craig is not ready and never will be, I agree I guess regarding Colbert & Stewart, yet one must have higher aspirations than comedy central for life! Yes I would like to see a woman have a shot, but Chelsey is cable and I think she has peaked already...I see Sarah Silverman having a better shot, otherwise not many other women are ready unless CBS does again something totally unique....not likely in this TV world of "If it isn't broke, don't fix it, but duplicate it"

The saddest part for me being in the NY/NJ metro area is if the show leaves, I would hate to see the "The Ed Sullivan Theatre" not being used.....for decades it was totally abandoned and in a shambles before Dave took over.

Here comes John Stewart or Colbert, can't think of anyone close that can fill the Letterman void against Fallon, who will continue to dominate in the ratings and precious demos.

Cheaper for CBS to bring back the old real "The Late Show" (movies) or reruns of series, or turn back to affiliates.

Bravest thing to do is get a woman in network late night, forget monologues, do something different and original!

or did I just hear Leno speeding to CBS....LOL

http://mashable.com/2014/04/04/stephen-colbert-replace-david-letterman-late-night/

According to Mashable, "The Colbert Report" star is currently the front-runner to host “The Late Show.” Colbert's Comedy Central contract expires later this year.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#JmpmWBa6X6ChgpCx.99

My money is on Chelsea Handler. The question is: Can she work non-blue?

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

CBS was interested in the E! star replacing Craig Ferguson at 12:35 — that is, until David Letterman announced her retirement, according to The Wrap. Now she has her eye on replacing Dave. The Wrap also reports that CBS initially offered Handler a syndicated late-night show, which she rejected.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#JmpmWBa6X6ChgpCx.99

Here would be a good candidate to throw into the mix, Jerry Seinfeld. Like Letterman, he had his roots in standup comedy and also made it big with his sitcom Seinfeld. He would also maintain the show's New York roots since Late Night debuted on NBC in 1982.

I'd sooooo like to see Colbert as the host of CBS' "Late Show".

I'd sooooo like to see Colbert as the host of CBS' "Late Show".

http://t.co/3cKw9jjhGJ

That’s what Bill Carter, author of “The Late Shift,” reports of the possibilities to replace David Letterman. He notes that Amy Poehler is another possibility and that Craig Ferguson is likely gone if he doesn’t get the promotion. But it is Colbert, Carter reports, who most intrigues late-night insiders: "Several late-night executives and staff members have ranked Mr. Colbert highest among the potential successors for several reasons: He wields an inventive brand of humor; he has a younger audience, which is highly important for late-night advertisers; and, perhaps most significant, he is in the spot that historically promotes the next late-night star to the top level: second position.” PLUS: The Top 10 things that would happen on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." (http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/top-10-things-would-happen-late-show-stephen-colbert-156822)


Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#2QgPU4lUghv3CeEg.99

so instead of 2 idiots on late night talk shows it will be 3 of them


Damm shame

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

CBS was interested in the E! star replacing Craig Ferguson at 12:35 — that is, until David Letterman announced her retirement, according to The Wrap. Now she has her eye on replacing Dave. The Wrap also reports that CBS initially offered Handler a syndicated late-night show, which she rejected.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#JmpmWBa6X6ChgpCx.99

Chelsea (love the name, namesake will be back as first daughter in the white house for 8 more years 2017-25) Handler can replace Craig when he quits CBS after they name anyone but him to replace Letterman (and keep the show in NYC)

My money is on Chelsea Handler. The question is: Can she work non-blue?

http://observer.com/2014/04/oh-please-god-dont-give-another-late-night-show-to-chelsea-handler/

The E! star's shtick doesn't have mainstream appeal.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#6y2JKrIPXcJYWVsf.99

Stephen Colbert will be Letterman's replacement, he signed a 5 year contract today.

Stephen Colbert will be Letterman's replacement, he signed a 5 year contract today.

I learned the news from the first post and 48 minutes later I started the post with "Here comes Stewart or Colbert" Not a surprise, but I sincerely believe someone who has "played a character in a parody political show"......I think too many people already have an opinion and no matter how many in the business say the real Colbert is a brillant interviewer, etc.....I think it will only work as him as himself but in a mature news related but light talk show (no monologues) in the tradition of current topics with a balanced mix of celebrities and politicians.....kind a what Mahers' old ABC "Politically Incorrect" was......

This post is not meant to create a political discussion with those on the left or right.

i think Colbert will be more successful if he focuses on the comedy and not the politics so much.

comedy brings people together, politics divides them.

http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/stephen-colbert-late-show-risky

"The most glaring issue with the hire,” says Richard Lawson, "is that Stephen Colbert has, for the most part, been playing a character for the last 10 or so years. Sure, the line between 'Stephen Colbert' and Stephen Colbert is often blurry, but much of what’s made the guy famous and successful has been full-blown parody. An argument could be made that during The Colbert Report’s interview segments, which probably pertain the most to this new gig, Colbert is more himself, and has proven a nimble and likable interviewer. But it’s still in the context of the ‘Colbert' character, and, in a broader sense, of the late-night Comedy Central political-humor lineup.”
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#tzwdBQXwCLMcDUdw.99

Will Colbert without 'Colbert' really work? What has made him hilarious is his over-the-top parody self. Without that, what's left?

Will Colbert without 'Colbert' really work? What has made him hilarious is his over-the-top parody self. Without that, what's left?

Find the youtube of Jimmy Fallon with Colbert singing the Rebecca Black song "Fridays".
That is the Colbert that can bring home viewers every single night like Fallon does.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_BszJzLyxI
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/u_BszJzLyxI?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Colbert doing a song that if not a parody to begin with, was taken by many as one of the most vapid songs when sung by a 17 year old girl
Colbert proved in that one skit he could be funny, sing, dance

and he is far bigger known name who comes with a built in audience already

Colbert as host is a game changer IMHO

and he has the gravitas to bring in some major guests and as we are heading into the 2016 election, and as Fallon only slow jams with the politicans Colbert can do wonders not seen since Dick Cavett or Phil Donahue.
No wonder the right wing hates this signing. They know

and of course some will say he should leave poliics out...well, Leno and Letterman never left politics out, and neither did Johnny

CBS has been #2 for a decade now late night, so there is no pressure on Colbert being #1.

Find the youtube of Jimmy Fallon with Colbert singing the Rebecca Black song "Fridays".
That is the Colbert that can bring home viewers every single night like Fallon does.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_BszJzLyxI
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/u_BszJzLyxI?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Colbert doing a song that if not a parody to begin with, was taken by many as one of the most vapid songs when sung by a 17 year old girl
Colbert proved in that one skit he could be funny, sing, dance

and he is far bigger known name who comes with a built in audience already

Colbert as host is a game changer IMHO

and he has the gravitas to bring in some major guests and as we are heading into the 2016 election, and as Fallon only slow jams with the politicians Colbert can do wonders not seen since Dick Cavett or Phil Donahue.
No wonder the right wing hates this signing. They know

and of course some will say he should leave politics out...well, Leno and Letterman never left politics out, and neither did Johnny

CBS has been #2 for a decade now late night, so there is no pressure on Colbert being #1.

http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/the-case-for-colbert-hes-just-what-late-night-needs/

There’ s no way a mass audience will watch Colbert, says Ken Tucker, who says CBS "put in place the most interesting host imaginable for the job that’ll likely come in second in the ratings for a good long time, if not for the entire length of his term.” He adds: "To anyone with a sense of talk-show history, the new dynamic is simple: Colbert will be the Dick Cavett to Fallon’s Johnny Carson — more intellectually curious, more poised and recondite in his humor, more prone to pull from a wider pool of guests than the latest star plugging his/her movie/TV show.”
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle/2#qT3LcLhG0kGM8L59.99

http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/the-case-for-colbert-hes-just-what-late-night-needs/

There’ s no way a mass audience will watch Colbert, says Ken Tucker, who says CBS "put in place the most interesting host imaginable for the job that’ll likely come in second in the ratings for a good long time, if not for the entire length of his term.” He adds: "To anyone with a sense of talk-show history, the new dynamic is simple: Colbert will be the Dick Cavett to Fallon’s Johnny Carson — more intellectually curious, more poised and recondite in his humor, more prone to pull from a wider pool of guests than the latest star plugging his/her movie/TV show.”
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle/2#qT3LcLhG0kGM8L59.99

glad someone else loves Dick Cavett or Phil Donahue. Two of the best.

Letterman was always #2 to Leno.
And look how long Dave lasted. He leaves a legend.

no one in 2014 is Carson & Ed. Johnny was one of a kind, never to be repeated.

http://t.co/cefDaHj9ii

According to late-night expert Bill Carter, “There will need to be a hiatus between the two — most likely for several months — as Mr. Colbert installs a new set to the theater (http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/live-new-york-it-late-show-stephen-colbert-blog-entry-1.1877332) and his staff moves in to the old Letterman offices. The most likely plan is a farewell to Mr. Letterman at the end of May, with a September premiere for Mr. Colbert.” PLUS: Why Colbert would never move to L.A. (http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/tv-zone-1.811968/analysis-colbert-s-late-show-sticks-with-new-york-new-york-wins-1.8875564)
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#gVxTq3BMMUQhOKTY.99

Unfortunately, they all sucked after Letterman. I can't think of a single television performer who went from the top of his game to the bottom (and I'm not talking about ratings), I mean the whole deal.

Letterman in his prime, his NBC years; were without a doubt in my opinion the greatest single achievement in television history.

The best show of all time, I can't even think of something that comes close.

Sadly and thank to the Internet, his legacy will forever be remembered as a grey haired man with long socks and big glasses who mistakenly entered the political humor arena, something the old Letterman never bothered to talk about and to be honest...something he's actually not very good at.

Now we're all left in this divisive dark age of you belong here so your this or you belong there so your that.

Also, Letterman didn't 'jump the shark' or I guess 'bone the fish' when he got heavy into politics this actually occurred after his triple-bypass surgery.

Maybe, but just a smaller chance of maybe...a year or two before.

When Robert Morton exited as producer, Letterman and CBS "Late Show" altered at a quicker rate than any other late night talk show ever on television.

He won 5 emmy's in a row thereafter, (a reason some of us Letterman fans) truly will forever hate the emmy's.

I mean seriously, Jimmy Fallon? Jimmy Kimmel?...even in their heads they know they suck.

And Conan? You went to cable, sorry...you were wrong. Cable wasn't the future, the Internet was you Harvard moron!

And all the team Coco fans who jumped the bandwagon (or sold their brain) for trend, why didn't you ever follow him to TBS?

The whole damn thing is a shame.

Anyway, Colbert is going to flop, NBC is going to smile and Ferguson (who should have actually gotten the show) will take himself and his dumb skeleton robot in syndication to hopefully undo all the damage that Alan Thicke & Fred Silverman did so many, many years ago to the 'genre.

http://screencrush.com/david-letterman-retiring/

Dave seems refreshed since announcing his retirement in April, says Mike Ryan. "Here’s a guy just enjoying his last few months on the job – with a renewed sense of purpose after vanquishing his rival, Leno.”
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#RWuC2kVCFCvTjFoc.99

http://time.com/3641534/colbert-report-final-episode-review/

Colbert (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2014/12/17/farewell-stephen-colbert-and-hello-stephen-colbert/) sent his TV character (http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/features/remembering-stephen-colbert-20141218) off into TV eternity (http://www.vulture.com/2014/04/stephen-colbert-tribute-losing-great-tv-character.html) with a finale (http://uproxx.com/tv/2014/12/the-colbert-report-finale-made-history-by-sending-the-series-out-on-top/) that was "both a sweet ending and a perfect summation (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/12/18/a-salute-to-the-colbert-report.html) of the show’s spirit (http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2014/12/colbert-goodbye),” says James Poniewozik, who adds: "The finale (http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/12/swan-song-the-colbert-report-says-goodbye/383926/) nodded to the massive creation (http://www.villagevoice.com/2014-12-17/film/the-colbert-report-very-first-episode) that Colbert wrought over nine years (http://www.mediaite.com/tv/the-10-most-iconic-colbert-report-moments-year-by-year/#0), and — as he flew off with Santa, a unicorn Abraham Lincoln, and Alex Trebek — promised something different to come.” PLUS: Watch the final 10 minutes of “The Colbert Report,” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTYxi6rhELc) Keith Olbermann offers behind-the-scenes pics (https://twitter.com/KeithOlbermann), here’s a list of the celebrity cameos (http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhochman/2014/12/19/list-of-celebrities-who-bid-farewell-to-stephen-colbert/), celebs tried to stay out of James Franco’s line of fire (https://twitter.com/mtaibbi/status/545944936819204096), and how the closing credits song reminded Colbert (http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/12/19/the_colbert_report_finale_song_holland_1945_did_colbert_pay_tribute_to_his.html) of the tragedy that killed his father and two brothers.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#Ob4M0jgo5xLqT457.99

Finally. I can't stand David Letterman. I wasn't aware of this until reading this thread a few minutes ago. I don't care who's taking over I've given up watching late night TV talk shows a while ago.

Ed.

Finally. I can't stand David Letterman. I wasn't aware of this until reading this thread a few minutes ago. I don't care who's taking over I've given up watching late night TV talk shows a while ago.

Ed.


Me too because all the late night hosts now are either GAY or ********

Nobody can hold a candle to Johnny Carson. After he quit that was it! I never watch those late night talk shows these days!

Nobody can hold a candle to Johnny Carson. After he quit that was it! I never watch those late night talk shows these days!


I know for a fact jimmy fallon is getting cheated on LMAO

Nobody can hold a candle to Johnny Carson. After he quit that was it! I never watch those late night talk shows these days!


No one could touch Johnny.

I liked Letterman a lot until he started using his show to campaign for Obama. I haven't turned it on since and couldn't care less what happens to him.

I liked Letterman a lot until he started using his show to campaign for Obama. I haven't turned it on since and couldn't care less what happens to him.

And he has every right to. Freedom of Speech.

And he has every right to. Freedom of Speech.

As I have every right to turn him off.

http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/david-letterman-by-the-numbers-6028-shows-cbs-late-show-1201484815/

Late Night ran for 1,810 broadcasts over 595 weeks, while The Late Show has had 4,214 broadcasts over 1,135 weeks.

No one could touch Johnny.

I liked Letterman a lot until he started using his show to campaign for Obama. I haven't turned it on since and couldn't care less what happens to him.


I like Dave a lot. I always found his show funny and I watch him over Kimmel and Fallon. I dont know too much about Johnny. He's Johnny obviously but it seems his show was quiet in the sense that he didn't yell or scream or was nasty. He just kind of did his thing. When Johnny retired I was only 10 years old so I dont know too much about him but he was a pioneer and trendsetter.

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/daily-dave-could-tina-fey-have-been-the-next-late-show-host-1.10410435

Fey (http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/may/08/tina-fey-spanx-striptease-letterman-feminist-fail?) proved last night she would've been perfect for the Late Show job.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/04/goodbye-dave-the-great-agitator.html?

Most of today's other talk shows (http://www.tvinsider.com/article/1849/lettermans-departure-represents-the-end-of-the-talk-show-era/) are really comedy-variety shows, says Tom Shales. "Ends of eras are proclaimed once a month, if not every day, but this really is one," he adds, "because more than Letterman's CBS Late Show is going out of business. Comedy, entertainment and national values are tectonically changing. Criminally unfair though it is, Dave must go. The talk has been drained out of talk shows, so the genre really needs a name change; it's already having a game change. The noise level—largely a white noise level—has shot way up. Letterman may have specialized in humor that was goofy, absurdist, deranged, but there was an underpinning of irreverent intelligence to it; a sly sardonic attitude that lampooned the world, the culture, its totems and tenets. In its way it was literate, which much of today's comedy is not, and does not want to be."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/05/21/lettermans-last-late-show-sap-free-and-just-right/

David Letterman always resisted being sappy and partaking in a lovefest, so his final Late Show (http://www.tvinsider.com/article/1861/lettermans-farewell-a-classy-lesson-in-blubber-free-humility/) was as subdued as you'd expect, says Hank Stuever. "He let the moment mostly speak for itself," says Stuever. "If viewers at home wanted to cry, well, that was up to them. This also meant that the send-off was probably lacking any particular moment that we'll watch over and over again in one of those history-of-TV retrospectives years from now."

I thought it was a great finale. He didnt cry which I thought he would do but he kept it together. I hate when sometimes people cry and its so over the top. I thought his last show was great. I wonder where Regis was though? Its tough to cram 33 years of late night into an hour or so but it was great. I wish some station would pick up some of his old late night shows from NBC. I wasn't old enough to watch his old stuff.


Btw, they couldnt wait to dismantle the set? Yesterday, the set came down. I mean the finale JUST aired?

And he has every right to. Freedom of Speech.

Liberals only support freedom of speech when it is them saying what they want. Interesting....they can bash Christians until the cows come home, but say something about a Muslim and they want to change the laws of freedom of speech. Liberals.....

Any who....I never was a fan of Letterman. I thought the man was about as funny as a train wreck. I watched his last show just to see what it would be like. Completely dull and boring...just like him. Paul Shaefer is a total creeper man.

The reality is it was time for Letterman to bid adieu. The man is pushing 70, and late night TV is really a young man's game now. NBC booted Jay Leno even though he was No. 1 (he was attracting the wrong demographics.) I find no one on late night TV even mildly entertaining. Jimmy Fallon? They man is a 10-year-old kid in the body of a 40-year-old man. Jimmy Kimmel? Grins like a ****-eating dog. Reminds me of a tricky used car salesman.

My TV goes off after the news. And I don't think I am missing a damn thing.

http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/features/goodbye-letterman-hello-fallon-the-nicening-of-late-night-20150520

"Now there's nobody left to be scared of," Tina Fey says of David Letterman's retirement. Adds Rob Sheffield: "Fallon, Kimmel, Meyers — those guys are not going to sneak-attack you on live TV. They're not just nice, they're brilliant at being nice, a much harder trick than it looks. Any schmuck can be moody and rude — it takes a comedian of David Letterman's constitution to pull it off, night after week after year, and remain funny. That's why it's all different without him." PLUS: Letterman exec producer says Jimmy Kimmel reminds him the most (http://money.cnn.com/2015/05/20/media/letterman-kimmel-future-of-late-night/) of Dave, late-night has become Clickbait TV (http://observer.com/2015/05/clickbait-tv-the-state-of-late-night-after-letterman/), and Jay Leno's (2nd) retirement (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-david-letterman-vs-jay-leno-who-got-more-finale-love-and-why-20150520-story.html) never got close to the media attention that Letterman received.

I so agree with you ILuvCarolBurnett about liberals and David Letterman! I've never liked the man and I'm glad he's off the air and I won't miss him at all. I've always thought he comes off rather sarcastic and kind of angry. And also a bit of a know-it-all. I never thought he was funny. With the exception of the top ten list sometimes.

Ed.

I can see where he could rub some people the wrong way but I thought he kind of mellowed the past few years.

Hmmm. I've never been a fan of his and I'm never going to be.

Ed.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/07/02/when-the-late-show-premieres-are-we-getting-stephen-colbert-or-stephen-colbert

It was like a “La Jolla Playhouse workshopping” of The Late Show, says Soraya Nadia McDonald of the 40-minute public access show. She adds: “Sure, it’s got a similar appeal to Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis, but doing Only in Monroe afforded Colbert and his writers the opportunity to do a junior varsity, low-stakes run of the Late Show, all while collecting feedback that allows them to gauge how Colbert will likely be received. And that’s important, because while Comedy Central, as Jon Stewart so often likes to joke, may be one or two steps up from cable access, Colbert’s run hosting a late-night network show has much more riding on it. CBS is considerably more risk-averse.”

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/07/james-wolcott-jon-stewart-david-letterman-goodbye

With all these cultural icons exiting, we've been deluged with tributes this year.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/confidential/cbs-redoing-ed-sullivan-theater-stephen-colbert-article-1.2312586

The NY Daily News reports that everything will be brand new for The Late Show launch on Sept. 8, including Colbert’s desk, which will be located where Paul Shaffer was on the left side of the stage. "Everything has been stripped down to the bones. The seats have been removed, the carpets are gone. Nothing is left except a concrete floor and exposed concrete walls,” an insider tells the NY Daily News.

http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/08/stephen-colbert-tech-political-guests

The usual celebrities, two tech CEOs, a presidential candidate and a horror author sounds like something Letterman wouldn’t do.

http://www.salon.com/2015/09/08/the_man_who_could_save_late_night_how_stephen_colbert_could_succeed_where_jimmy_fallon_has_failed/

"Colbert knows how to do something Fallon (https://twitter.com/jimmyfallon/status/641291311199485953) has clearly relegated to the lower tier of his show: talk to people,” says Jack Mirkinson. He adds: "It’s fashionable these days to mourn the supposed lost golden age of late night talk (http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/news/stephen-colbert-gets-hosting-advice-from-late-night-competitors-20150908), when intellectuals sparred with each other and coruscating wit was the order of the day, so I won’t. There’s a lot of overblown mythology in that narrative anyway. I’ll just say this: The ‘talk' part of the talk show has been somewhat devalued of late, and it will be good to have someone who can do both halves of the job description. If you’ve ever watched Colbert, you know that he is a formidable interviewer. He is lightning-quick on his feet. He is curious. He listens. He can be ruthless when he needs to be. PLUS: Stream Colbert’s premiere (http://gothamist.com/2015/09/08/colbert_premiere_free_stream.php) for free, Colbert is coming on at a moment that uniquely suits him (http://variety.com/2015/tv/columns/stephen-colbert-cbs-late-show-debut-1201585296/), Colbert should book as much CBS talent (http://nypost.com/2015/09/03/hey-colbert-follow-these-five-steps-to-late-show-success/) as possible and 4 more tips, including booking as many CBS talent as possible, how Chicago shaped (http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/stephen-colbert-second-city-late-show/Content?oid=18958403) Colbert, the “Col-Blimp” (http://www.tvinsider.com/article/38248/from-the-col-blimp-to-the-colbrew-how-cbs-marketed-tonights-premiere-of-the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert/) was one of many ways CBS marketed Colbert’s debut, bandleader Jon Batiste (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/08/arts/music/jon-batiste-will-lead-the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert-band-in-a-style-he-sees-fit.html) says there’s a reinvention of his role, Colbert will have to breathe life into a dying medium (http://news.nationalpost.com/arts/television/stephen-colberts-real-challenge-breathing-new-life-into-a-dying-medium), and what we’ll need to see from Colbert (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-0908-what-we-still-need-from-stephen-colbert-20150907-story.html).

I think Colbert's claim to fame, and really ONLY claim to fame, is he mocked conservatives which is held in high regard among Hollywood elites. Frankly, Colbert looks like my old high school principal who was a total *****. I'm surprised CBS didn't go with someone younger like everyone else has.

I think Colbert's claim to fame, and really ONLY claim to fame, is he mocked conservatives which is held in high regard among Hollywood elites. Frankly, Colbert looks like my old high school principal who was a total *****. I'm surprised CBS didn't go with someone younger like everyone else has.


Which is why I will never turn his show on. And I hope all other conservatives will do the same.

Colbert is naturally hilarious and enormously talented. I doubt that he and CBS are concerned that a few butthurt conservatives won't watch him.

Me too because all the late night hosts now are either GAY or ********

What the hell does "GAY or ********" even mean?

I never watched the Colbert Report but have watched a little of him on CBS. He's not that bad. I have to see more.

Which is why I will never turn his show on. And I hope all other conservatives will do the same.
Colbert is fair and gives everyone a chance to talk (and make idiots of themselves) - he has given more air time to Republican candidates in a couple of weeks than all the other late night hosts combined in the past year. He treated them with respect and gave them each a fair chance to talk without ridiculing them - he even went so far as to chastise his audience for booing Ted Cruz, reminding them that the senator was his guest and should be treated with respect.

...so go ahead and boycott someone because of a role they once played on a comedy program, instead of using logic and fair judgment; its really not going to hurt anyone.

I don't watch any of the latenight shows. they all suck. Hasn't been a good one since Johnny Carson retired.

What the hell does "GAY or ********" even mean?


Seems like you're a little butthurt about that. :lol:

Colbert is fair and gives everyone a chance to talk (and make idiots of themselves) - he has given more air time to Republican candidates in a couple of weeks than all the other late night hosts combined in the past year. He treated them with respect and gave them each a fair chance to talk without ridiculing them - he even went so far as to chastise his audience for booing Ted Cruz, reminding them that the senator was his guest and should be treated with respect.

...so go ahead and boycott someone because of a role they once played on a comedy program, instead of using logic and fair judgment; its really not going to hurt anyone.


Of course he has. They're all running for president and are desperate for airtime. Why do you think his audience was booing Ted Cruz? Because people like Colbert, Bill Mahr and Jon Stewart make their living by bashing Republicans on TV and attract hooting and howling morons that think likewise.

Why do you think his audience was booing Ted Cruz?
Because his audience has a high IQ.

http://www.salon.com/2016/03/08/david_letterman_would_finish_off_donald_trump_yes_we_miss_jon_stewart_but_no_one_deflated_demagogues_like_dave/

Dave is desperately missed in this crazy election year, says Sophia A. McClennen. "Letterman didn’t have to contend with that sort of partisan blowback,” she says. "The unique power of Letterman’s political interventions lies in the fact that he drew an audience from across the political spectrum. Letterman appealed to middle America. An Indiana native on a major network, he spoke to the heartland. His viewers saw him as a down-to-earth, no BS kind of guy and that was why he had such a special talent for deflating gasbags and exposing demagogues. We can be certain he would have had choice words for Trump.”

Because his audience has a high IQ.

:lol: