David Letterman's Retirement Signals An End Of An Era In Late Night Talk

If you haven't heard, another late night talk legend is heading to retirement.

David Letterman has decided he'll leave the late night stage after 34 years come 2015.

Letterman has been hosting the "Late Show With David Letterman" since he arrived at CBS in 1993.

Letterman, 66, will relinquish his duties to Stephen Colbert, star of the well-known Comedy Central's "Colbert Report."

Recently over at NBC, Jay Leno stepped aside as host of "The Tonight Show" for the young hot shot in Jimmy Fallon.

Letterman and Leno came up together, and both were even in the running to replace Johnny Carson back in 1992. Suffice it to say, Leno won the job.

It's quite ironic because I recall having a discussion with my mother after Leno's retirement. I told her that Letterman has to be next, and quite soon, too.

Sure enough, two months after Leno last appeared on The Tonight Show, Letterman made his move.

I always watched Leno, and rarely watched Letterman. But it always strikes a chord with me when I see successful entertainers retire. It's like the old saying, "you don't know what you lose, till it's gone."

Once his time is officially up, it can be said that late night talk has reached the end of an era.

With Jimmy Fallon being the face of NBC late night, as well as Jimmy Kimmel being the face of ABC, Colbert will now be considered the new face of CBS late night. Maybe call them the "Big Three" of late night talk?

Colbert's contract with Comedy Central expires at the end of the year, which is probably why Letterman is staying put till next year.

Once Colbert gets sworn in, it can be said that the new generation of talk show hosts have taken over, front and center.

Links: http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-26879095

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/11/business/media/stephen-colbert-to-succeed-letterman-on-late-show.html?_r=0