Paul Shaffer Possibly Leaving Letterman

If anyone were asked to name a cast member of the Late Showwith David Letterman who isn’t David Letterman, the answer would come quick. Paul Shaffer.

The musician and long-time comic sidekick has been Letterman’s right hand man on the Late Showwith David Letterman for three decades, but his contract is up in two years, and Shaffer has suggested that might be getting ready to play himself out — or maybe not.

A Fox News report states Shaffer told TV Guide Canada he’s tiring of the work.

“We’ve been on 30 years so now we’ve got another two years,” he said. “I’m going to be certainly ready to lie down after that, take a nap.”

However, in an interview with the New York Post, Shaffer backtracked those comments, saying he’s not going anywhere, but he conceded that when he does retire, he probably will take that nap.

“In an interview with a reporter, I made two unrelated points which, joined together, seem to say something that isn’t true,” Shaffer said. “It’s true that the show was recently extended for two years, and yes, someday when it’s all over, I will most likely take a nap. But I hope that day never comes. As long as the show goes on, I will be there for as long as Dave wants me on it.”

For his part, Letterman has always spoken highly of Paul Shaffer.

“Paul is essential,” Letterman once told CBS News. “It’s a long trip. And Paul is the funny flight attendant.”

Would Paul Shaffer leaving the Late Showwith David Letterman effect your decision to watch or not?