David Letterman Announces Final Late Show Date

David Letterman will end his run as host of The Late Show on Wednesday, May 20, CBS announced Wednesday. Letterman has hosted the CBS show for 22 years, and his 32 years total at the job make him the longest-tenured late night talk show host on TV.

“David Letterman has given to all of us a remarkable legacy of achievement and creative brilliance that will never be forgotten,” CBS Corp President and CEO Leslie Moonves said in today’s announcement. “It’s going to be tough to say goodbye, but I know we will all cherish the shows leading up to Dave’s final broadcast in May.”

Letterman’s announcement about his retirement on April 3 came as a surprise to both audiences and the network. Stephen Colbert, who hosts the popular Comedy Central show The Colbert Report, is set to replace Letterman. Colbert hosted the soon-to-be host of the Late Late Show, James Cordon, on The Colbert Report Tuesday night and President Obama on Monday. No word yet on when Colbert’s first Late Show will be.