Dan Rather and David Letterman |
HOLLYWOOD - And a big sigh of relief can be heard from Ted Koppel and the rest of the Nightline crew. For now.David Letterman has decided to remain at CBS and hopes to finish his career there, despite ABC's ardent wooing of the late-night talk-show host.
While Koppel and Nightline are worried about their future--Letterman's relocation would have meant a flat-line for Nightline--Letterman, of course, has no such worries. CBS re-signed the gap-toothed gabfest host to the tune of $150 million-plus over the next five years.
Letterman made the announcement himself on his own show Monday night to the raucous cheers of his audience.
"I know it sounds pretty good to you, folks, but there goes the vacation to Disney World," Letterman quipped.
Letterman's camp didn't signal to CBS that the deal was done until right before taping began for Monday night's Late Show.
Though ABC execs have publicly stated that Nightline is staying put at ABC, the alphabet network is reportedly now pursuing Jon Stewart and Chris Rock to perhaps host a new 11:30 time slot talker.