New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said he called CBS Chairman and CEO Les Moonves on Monday, urging CBS to keep the “Late Show” in the city after its longtime host David Letterman retires in 2015.
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“I had a very good conversation yesterday with the man who will actually make that decision, Les Moonves, and I emphasized that New York has been an extraordinary home for the Late Show and that we think it’ll be a great home for the Late Show going forward,” de Blasio said Tuesday at an unrelated press conference, according to the New York Observer. “And I’m hopeful that that’s what will come to pass.”
De Blasio’s call to Moonves comes on the heels of similar pleas from council members within his own city as well as requests from West Coast rivals to bring the “Late Show” to California.
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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti sent a letter to Moonves the very same day as Letterman made his retirement announcement last week, asking the CBS chief executive for a chance to woo him into moving the show out west.
“As a longtime fan, I was saddened to hear of David Letterman‘s retirement. But as Mayor of Los Angeles, I am excited for the opportunity to encourage you to bring CBS’ next late night show to our city — the entertainment capital of the world,” Garcetti wrote.
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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo immediately got into the act, issuing his own Top 10 list of reasons why the retiring late-night host is a legend.
In making his case, de Blasio said his city has proven to be a great home to the “Late Show” for the past 21 years.
“I think we have so much to offer,” he said.
“And the proof is in the pudding. Obviously, David Letterman made rich use of his surrounding environment of New York City, and I hope that his successor will do the same.”