Garrison Keillor announces retirement, names new Prairie Home Companion host

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.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

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.

Sign up