Celebrating three decades of David Letterman
Pictures: David Letterman However, once Carson announced his retirement appearing in 1992, NBC executives tapped Jay Leno the same as his successor a crushing blow to Letterman. clothed in an interview when he was approved more than, Letterman supposed he felt like yesterdays trash, previous years news, previous nights waste, previous springs lawn. But Lettermans loss was CBS gain: Letterman came to the group on a $14 million contract. Letterman had his 11:30 p.m. age slot.