Goodbye, Guy Noir. Good luck, Lake Wobegone. Late Monday, legendary NPR raconteur Garrison Keillor told The Associated Press that he is stepping down as host of A Prairie Home Companion after next season, and that musician Chris Thile will replace him in September 2016. Tapping Thile, who plays mandolin with bands the Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, as host is "the best idea I've had since Powdermilk Biscuits," Keillor told AP. Thile, 34, made his debut on the show at age 15.
"I'm stepping down because it's the sensible thing to do when you are 72, almost 73," Keillor said. He insisted he isn't retiring, exactly — he will write, would like to make another movie, and will stay on as executive producer of Prairie Home Companion — but he's leaving radio because becoming a radio star was always an accident. "My idea always was to be a writer, and when you get to be 72, it's time you should get back to doing what you set out to do," Keillor told AP. This will be Keillor's second retirement from the radio show that made him famous, but he says he is serious this time. It sounds more authoritative coming from Keillor's distinctive baritone, so if you want, watch (and listen) to him discuss his departure in the video below. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Critics’ choice: Restaurants worthy of their buzzfeature A fun bistro, a reservation worth the wait, and a modern twist on Mexican dishes
-
Film reviews: Snow White, Death of a Unicorn, and The Alto KnightsFeature A makeover for Disney’s first animated feature, greedy humans earn nature’s wrath, and a feud between crime bosses rattles the mob
-
Bombs or talks: What’s next in the US-Iran showdown?Talking Points US gives Tehran a two-month deadline to deal
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wifespeed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster showSpeed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top GrammysSpeed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own roomSpeed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talksSpeed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tourSpeed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamationSpeed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box officeSpeed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
