When Did David Letterman Stop?

On April 3, 2012, CBS, Worldwide Pants, and CBS Television Studios came to a pivotal agreement that would extend the run of the Late Show with David Letterman through 2014. This was not the final chapter, though, as another agreement in October 2013 added another year to the show, ensuring Letterman’s nightly presence into 2015. These negotiations solidified Letterman’s status as the longest-tenured late-night talk show host, surpassing the legendary Johnny Carson.

However, the announcement that would signify the end of Letterman’s illustrious late-night career came on April 10, 2014. Just one week after revealing his decision to retire as the host of The Late Show in 2015, CBS disclosed the identity of his successor—Stephen Colbert, then the host of the popular late-night series The Colbert Report on Comedy Central.

The revelation of Colbert as the heir to Letterman’s late-night throne set the stage for a bittersweet farewell. David Letterman’s last Late Show aired on May 20, 2015, marking the conclusion of a remarkable 33-year career in late-night television. Fans, colleagues, and fellow comedians bid adieu to the man who had become a fixture in their lives, delivering laughter and memorable moments night after night.

While the Late Show with David Letterman came to an end, the comedian’s influence and legacy persisted. In February 2022, a significant development occurred with the opening of David Letterman’s official YouTube channel. This digital archive became a treasure trove for fans, housing clips not only from his Late Show but also from his previous morning and late-night shows during his 11-year tenure on NBC.