67-year-old talk show host has been with CBS for 21 years

Apr 4, 2014 09:45 GMT  ·  By
David Letterman retires from The Late Show in 2015, after 22 years (by then) with CBS
   David Letterman retires from The Late Show in 2015, after 22 years (by then) with CBS

It’s the end of an era: after 21 years with CBS on The Late Show, David Letterman has announced his intention to retire sometime next year. The announcement was made on his most recent show and is included in the video below.

Reports online note that there is no hidden reason for his decision, and definitely no falling out between him and network bosses. Like he says in the statement, Letterman simply thought the time had come to say goodbye.

Like other iconic late night show hosts, he will probably continue working on different projects. Right now, the battle must be bitter on his spot, with various names already popping up online, in discussions on the topic.

However, Letterman says, it will be some time until his loyal viewers must take out the hankies and prepare to say goodbye for good: there is no definite plan as of now, but he estimates that he will be out in 2015.

“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,’” the host announces.

From his audience’s reaction, they either knew what was coming or thought it was a joke, because not a peep is heard as Letterman drops the bomb.

Chances are it was the latter, because, Variety informs, Letterman really did break the news to Moonves shortly before the taping. Of course, that’s not to say that the CBS boss didn’t see it coming, because he did: he had been expecting this since Letterman first said he wanted his contract to be extended for just another year on his most recent round of negotiations.

“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,” Letterman also says in his announcement.

Paul seems thrilled at the prospect.

On a more serious note, Twitter is abuzz right now with messages of thanks and of support from fans and celebrities alike, to Letterman, for 21 years of “service” in the entertainment industry.