Logo

Late-Night Host Closes In on Record Set by Johnny Carson

Jan 13, 2012  •  Post A Comment

A record held by former late-night king Johnny Carson, which many observers thought would never be broken when Carson retired in 1992, may soon be eclipsed by the man who wanted to succeed him — David Letterman.

Letterman’s production company, Worldwide Pants, is close to a deal to keep the host on television until 2014, which would push his tenure past Carson’s 30-year run — a record in late-night — reports Bill Carter in The New York Times.

Letterman had been rumored to be considering retirement this year, but instead has reportedly decided to keep going with “Late Show,” the story notes. Letterman will have been on air for 32 years in late-night if he continues through the end of the new deal, two years longer than Carson’s record run on NBC’s "Tonight" show, the piece points out.

The fate of the CBS show that follows "Late Show with David Letterman" isn’t settled, however. Its host, Craig Ferguson, might not choose to continue, the story notes. If he stays, the issue will likely come down to whether his salary is bumped up, along with the production budget for "Late Late Show," according to the article.

david-letterman.jpgDavid Letterman

5 Comments

  1. … Letterman anymore. He’s become bitter over the years. He’s just a mean, angry man. Who wants to watch that. I was a regular for years on nbc, but now he’s just crap.

  2. I’m more concerned at the thought that we might lose Ferguson on “Late Late Show”. That’s the best show in late night. Dave lost his appeal years ago.

  3. Not exactly the same as Carson. In fact, not even close to Carson’s record. Letterman will achieve 32 years in late night on two different networks. Carson did it on one. So not the same thing.
    Letterman gets the asterisk.
    And I agree with I Don’t Watch. Letterman is unwatchable.

  4. Agreed. Once upon a time Letterman was funny and entertaining to watch. I can still recall the time sheep were herded from the stage up the aisles and out into a waiting limo.
    But now Letterman comes across as a highly-partisan lefty old guy with some sort of axe to grind. Waste of oxygen.

  5. Agreed. Once upon a time Letterman was funny and entertaining to watch. I can still recall the time sheep were herded from the stage up the aisles and out into a waiting limo.
    But now Letterman comes across as a highly-partisan lefty old guy with some sort of axe to grind. Waste of oxygen.

Leave a Reply to I don't watch... Cancel Reply

Email (will not be published)