[Archive 2015-05-22] David Letterman signs off after 33 year career on the Late Show

Historical archive — originally published 2015-05-22. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

American TV host David Letterman announced his retirement on Wednesday night, after a 33 year career as host of the Late Show on CBS. His farewell included an abundance of clips from his classic skits, a few restrained fillips of sincerity and humility and sarcastic, self-deprecating humor with a tinge of nostalgia.

Letterman chose as his last musical guests the Foo Fighters, as the band in the past had canceled their tour in South America to play on his first show after Letterman's heart surgery operation.

On Wednesday, he described all the encomiums as "over the top" and said he found it "flattering, embarrassing and gratifying". After more than an hour of tributes and laughs, David Letterman signed off his last show yesterday night with the words: "That's pretty much all I got ... thank you and goodnight."

Source and licence

Text adapted from David Letterman signs off after 33 year career on the Late Show by Wikinews contributors under CC BY 2.5. Paragraphs have been selected and abridged, and formatting adjusted. Contributor history.