David Letterman explains how he fell out of love with late night television
David Letterman is not dead yet. "With years of vitality left, he has been trying, since his Late Show farewell in May 2015, to figure out what his next step should be," The New York Times reports. But while the 69-year-old is unsure what exactly his future holds, he knows for sure what won't be in it: "I don't miss late-night television,” he told the Times. "And I'm a little embarrassed that, for 33 years, it was the laser focus of my life."
While late night might not have the appeal it used to for Letterman, he is not quitting TV altogether. His brief appearance in the new documentary series, Years of Living Dangerously, made him enthusiastic about "doing television that aims to educate a mass audience on serious subjects." Letterman also expressed his admiration for absurdist comedies like Veep and Portlandia.
"I keep saying, jeez, I still think I can do something," Letterman said. Read more about his post-Late Night life at The New York Times.
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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
How accurate are political polls?
The Explainer And how much should you read into figures ahead of the 2024 election?
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 insightful podcasts you may have missed this summer
The Week Recommends A few podcast veterans and a number binge-worthy newcomers created an entertaining summer for podcast listeners
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Code-switching: the origins, purpose and pitfalls
The Explainer Balancing your identity and respectability politics sometimes means taking on a different tone or behavior to fit in
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published