Paul Shaffer Hints at ‘Letterman’ Retirement
Longtime Late Show With David Letterman musical director Paul Shaffer has hinted in a recent interview with TV Guide Canada that he may leave the show in a couple years when his contract expires. “We’ve been on 30 years so now we’ve got another two years . . . I’m going to be certainly ready to lie down after that, take a nap,” said Shaffer. “But once again, life is nutty – anything can happen. I’ve been so lucky and blessed to be working this long in show business. And whatever happens now is just gravy to me.”
Shaffer, who recently hosted Canada’s Walk Of Fame awards, noted how his experience on Letterman prepared him for his new gig. “I learn from Letterman every night,” he said. “I got a ringside seat, watching still the quickest guy in show business. The one thing I know about him is [he] doesn’t like anything to be faked. He doesn’t say you know, ‘Let’s pretend we’re getting a call.’ He hates that. He’ll say to the audience, ‘I’m getting a fake call now.’ I think the audience appreciates that.”
“I’ve never had a plan for the future,” added Shaffer. “So we’ll see what happens.”