Top 10 Reactions To David Letterman’s Retirement Announcement

David Letterman, the longest-serving late night host in television history, will reportedly announce his impending retirement on Thursday night’s (April 3) broadcast.

Variety reported that Letterman will retire in 2015, after 22 years behind the desk on CBS’ “Late Show,” and a prior 11 as the host of NBC’s “Late Night.”

According to a transcript provided to Variety, Letterman said he had informed CBS chairman Les Moonves of his decision prior to taping.

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

“We don’t have the timetable for this precisely down — I think it will be at least a year or so, but sometime in the not too distant future, 2015 for the love of God, in fact, Paul and I will be wrapping things up.”

Musician Mike Mills, who performs on Thursday night’s show, tweeted the first word of Letterman’s announcement Thursday afternoon.

Of course, Letterman’s signature trope is the top 10 list, a segment at the top of the show in which he satirizes and breaks down a daily topic. As a tribute to Letterman’s eventual departure from our TV screens, we’ve pulled together a top 10 list of what we imagine to be the reactions of his peers in hosting and comedy.

10. Conan O’Brien