David Letterman Likely To Surpass Johnny Carson As Longest Running Late Night Host In TV History

After nearly 20 years doing "The Late Show" on CBS and 11 prior years in late night on NBC, David Letterman is close to surpassing "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson's 30-year record as the longest running late-night host in TV history, The New York Times reports.

Letterman signed a two-year extension of his contract with CBS in 2010, making August of this year the earliest date he could leave the show. The host has not indicated that he will be retiring, and according to an anonymous CBS executive's statement to The Times, a deal extending his contract to 2014 is "imminent."

Letterman's CBS compatriate Craig Ferguson, whose "Late Late Show" is also produced by Letterman's production company Worldwide Pants, is in the midst of similar talks, according to Variety.

"As would be expected at this time, we're having conversations with both Dave and Craig about future years," CBS said in a statement to Variety today. "There are no further details to announce at this time."

Letterman may have mellowed as he's gotten older. Last month, he went on record saying that he's ready to end his longtime feud with "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno. Letterman and Leno were involved a bitter feud over who would inherit "The Tonight Show" after Johnny Carson left in the early 90s.

Comments

[gmabobbie]

01:40 PM on 01/16/2012

Considering Johnny and Dave's close friendship, I don't think Johnny would mind one bit. Remember, it was Dave that Johnny wanted to take over on the Tonight Show not jay. It was Dave that Johnny called and shared jokes with on a regular basis until he died. Don't believe me? Do a search and look it up.

[grapost]

11:10 AM on 01/16/2012

Letterman needs to retire. He is more annoying than funny anymore. His banter with Paul Schaffer through the show is pathetic, the Top Ten list is pathetic anymore, and he appears obviously annoyed that he has be bothered interviewing some of the guests on the show. Dave if you don't like the job LEAVE!

[lurkinman]

10:46 AM on 01/16/2012

Why anyone watches Jay Leno's unfunny, guest-fawning show and not Letterman's consistently funny program is a complete mystery to me.

[cybolt]

01:18 AM on 01/16/2012

Some guys are classy, know when their time has come and move on accordingly.
Some other guys are like Letterman.

[skatscan]

03:14 PM on 04/03/2012

That person wouldn't be Jay Leno that's for sure.

[freeetob]

10:38 PM on 01/15/2012

Quantity has never equaled quality. None of the late nighters have Carson's class, intelligence or humor.

[skatscan]

03:16 PM on 04/03/2012

Carson's class? Ask his ex-wives about that. Dave is far more intelligent, And Letterman's humor didn't rely on the T&A and Friars Club mentality to get laughs.

[trailerguy]

05:17 PM on 01/15/2012

Carson was smart and retired when he was still o top and much loved. Letterman still seems revevlant, but my advice do not stay in the game to long. Go out a winner.

[skatscan]

03:17 PM on 04/03/2012

Carson was the only game in town and WELL past his prime by the early 1980s. Burt institutions take a long time to die, But Letterman has real competition and still has much to give.

[bartanus]

10:52 AM on 01/15/2012

I've been a regular viewer of Dave's since his second or third season on NBC and can't imagine what life would be like without his genius brand of comedy. I like how he's mellowed with age, but still the best at self-deprecating humor. His recent Twitter/#Hash Tag bits have been every bit as memorable as his brilliant early work at NBC.

Speaking of Johnny Carson, I must admit that I do miss him. Unfortunately, it's hard to find much of his stuff on the internet, but I'll always have memories.

[a man]

03:12 PM on 01/15/2012

I have to agree with every word you wrote. I've seen Letterman live two times and loved it. And always watch his monologue and his top ten lists. His self-deprecating humor is just like mine sense of humor----you have to know when to say you don't know it......and how to say it.

As for Johnny Carson, I miss him, too. It was always fun to see him wearing some sort of bizarre outfit and keeping a straight face----he looked like a puppy. If you want to find Carson on the internet, just Google it. You'll find it.

[perturbedintexas]

03:44 PM on 01/15/2012

+10 on missing Carson. I remember a show when Johnny came back from vacation, Rickles was the prior guest host and he broke Johnny's cigarette box. Carson noticed it, got mad and went next door where Rickles was taping one of his many failures and Carson interrupted the live taping to ask about his cigarette box.
A real class guy and comedic genius. I am lucky to have lived during his era.

[Trojan Mouse]

09:19 AM on 01/15/2012

There was yet no network television when Johnny started comedy. Letterman should never even be mentioned in the same context with Carson.

[skatscan]

03:20 PM on 04/03/2012

Yep, Carson had no competition other than a test pattern when he inherited an established show. so he didn't have to be as good as Letterman to get ratings. Letterman right now has multiple competition and is still hanging in there. Make no mistake, Carson's ratings were a bit lower than both Leno's and Letterman's were in the 1990s n the years before he announced his retirement.

[edenooch]

06:45 PM on 01/14/2012

then leno can smash his record

[jantomnidrah]

02:48 PM on 01/14/2012

None of the late night guys will ever match Johnny Carson and his wit.

[skatscan]

03:20 PM on 04/03/2012

or his sexism.

[modelaford]

10:25 PM on 01/13/2012

Congrats to David! Didn't think I would ever see Johnny's record broken. This is an achievement.

[FarmerBee]

07:41 PM on 01/13/2012

Letterman is a genius. Hope he continues well into senility.

[mrmoonlite5]

07:22 PM on 01/13/2012

mr. carson was on after the jack parr show wich stopped 1959

mr leeterman came on in the mid eightys correct me if im wrong but johnny carson was on alot longer than:OdAvId

[parachuteface]

08:12 PM on 01/13/2012

carson was on from 62-92

letterman has been on from 82-current

ummmmm that's 30 years each SILLY

[grapost]

11:12 AM on 01/16/2012

And Steve Allen was the original host of the Tonight show in the 1950's and was replaced by Jack Paar.

[RGod8855]

07:08 PM on 01/13/2012

Considering Letterman has 30 yr in this age of TV scrutiny and cancellation fever, it is all the more remarkable.

[Ricardo01]

10:05 PM on 01/13/2012

That is so true. There have been a lot of bad hosts come and go during his reign. Some are on now. Glad to be your 1st fan.

[skatscan]

03:22 PM on 04/03/2012

True, Carson had very little competition and a network that made its money on TV, a novel these days in the time of GM/Comcast.

[Dan Slander]

06:44 PM on 01/13/2012

The Arthur Godfrey of his era but even creepier, the guy ain't been funny since the last century and what's with the funny faces, this is funny?

[skatscan]

03:23 PM on 04/03/2012

yep, Funnier than Carson's crass sexism.