David Letterman Announces Retirement in 2015

David Letterman from the “Late Show” announced Thursday his plans to retire sometime next year.

He began his career in 1982 when he became the NBC “Late Night” franchise’s first host, and today at the age of 66, he announced the big news during the taping for Thursday night’s show.

“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,” Letterman said. “What this means now, is that Paul and I can be married.”

Letterman was referring to Paul Shaffer, who has been the bandleader for both of his shows since 1982.

He told his audience that his retirement will be at least for a year or so from now when his current contract expires.

Letterman has the longest tenure of any late-night talk show host in U.S. television history, nearing 32 years.

After NBC decided to replace “Tonight Show” host Johnny Carson with Jay Leno in 1992, Letterman went to CBS, where his “Late Show” became a direct competitor. Over the years, his show has consistently trailed behind “The Tonight Show” in ratings.

“I would do it forever if it were up to me,” said Letterman, before adding a wry aside: “Sometimes, it isn’t up to me.”

Now the big question is who will replace Letterman with the late-night landscape now settling at NBC.