David Letterman announces he's retiring in 2015

[TMC]

http://tvline.com/2014/04/03/david-l...ing-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. 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

[TeeVeeCloset]

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

[ohmrwilson]

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?)

[Zoneboy]

Link

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.

[visaman666]

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

[TeeVeeCloset]

Originally Posted by ohmrwilson

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.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by TeeVeeCloset

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/steph...an-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

[TMC]

Originally Posted by visaman666

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

http://www.thewrap.com/cbs-david-let...dler-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

[howilu]

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.

[MrCleveland]

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

[TMC]

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

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."


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

[TVFactFan]

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


Damm shame

[ohmrwilson]

Originally Posted by TMC

http://www.thewrap.com/cbs-david-let...dler-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)

[TMC]

Originally Posted by visaman666

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

http://observer.com/2014/04/oh-pleas...elsea-handler/

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

[icecream]

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