David Letterman thinks "specific" late night shows may not survive another year.
The 79-year-old broadcasting legend has weighed in ahead of Stephen Colbert's final Late Show, which has been cancelled by CBS, and insisted while the format isn't "completely dead" with the likes of Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers flying the flag, the landscape will massively change in the near future.
He told the New York Times newspaper: "We still have Jimmy. We still have Seth.
"It’s not completely dead on arrival, but I would be surprised if it lasts more than a year or so.
"But it’s such an easy soothing format that it’s got to stay on."
When Letterman was pushed on whether he really will be shocked if the format "survives another year or so", he insisted it will never truly "go away".
He added: "Well, maybe specific shows. I don’t think it’ll ever go away because it’s just the best. It’s humans talking to humans."
Letterman took a moment to reflect on his own stint on the Late Show, but when asked for his favourite memory, he admitted it wasn't a "pleasant" one.
He recalled: "The band had barely quit playing and they dismantled the set and there were dumpsters on 53rd Street, and as I walked out of the building, I saw the detritus and the debris of my life at CBS being tossed into the dumpster.
"Now, that’s not a pleasant memory. I don’t know, talk to somebody else."
Colbert announced the axing of The Late Show in July 2025, confirming that CBS had pulled the plug on his nightly talk show, with the final episode set to air in May.
He said at the time: "Before we start the show, I want to let you know something that I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season, the network will be ending The Late Show in May."
Stephen - who replaced Letterman at the helm in 2015 - added: "I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away. I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners … And I’m grateful to the audience, you, who have joined us every night, in here, out there, and all around the world."
Letterman previously warned people that late night has a smaller pool of platforms who are willing to showcase stars like Kimmel, Meyers and Colbert, who are all willing to challenge those in power.
He told The Barbara Gaines Show: "We're running out of places where you hear those voices."
Meanwhile, the TV veteran has insisted he's relieved not to be hosting his own late night talk show anymore.
Asked if he missed his show on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in December, he said: "Boy you would think, but no – I'm so glad to be out from under this mess.
"People like you and people like Stephen and people like Seth do such a masterful job of defending this democracy. About all I'm capable of is showing up every now and then saying 'f*** Waymo' and that's it."
