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Barbara Walters and David Letterman make retirement 'suicide pact'

Barbara Walters and David Letterman have more than a century of television experience between them. Now that both are gearing up for retirement — Walters this Friday and Letterman in 2015 — neither is ready to call it quits.Though Walters made the first move in announcing her exit, she told Letterman during a visit to “The Late Show” on Wednesday that she's not on board with his decision.�
Barbara Walters and David Letterman on "Late Night" on May 14, 2014.
CBS

Barbara Walters and David Letterman have more than a century of television experience between them. Now that both are gearing up for retirement — Walters this Friday and Letterman in 2015 — neither is ready to call it quits.

Though Walters made the first move in announcing her exit, she told Letterman during a visit to “The Late Show” on Wednesday that she's not on board with his decision.

“I do not want you to retire,” Walters informed the host. 

“I don’t want to retire now, either,” Letterman admitted. “I’ve decided I changed my mind.”

“Can you stay?” Walters asked with concern.

“Oh no, that ship has sailed,” Letterman said. Describing CBS’s intent to revamp “The Late Show” set for his successor, Stephen Colbert, Letterman added, “They got plans. They’re repainting, and they measured and everything. No.”

“I feel the same way,” confided “The View” host. “I said yes, I wanted to go. I’m not ready!”

Concluding two such remarkable careers will take teamwork, it seems. Extending her hand, Walters suggested, “Let’s walk into the sunset together.”

Shaking Walters’ hand, Letterman said drily, “That’s fine. We’ll do that.” Then he paused for a moment and observed, “I think — wait a minute. I think we just made a suicide pact.”

Walters laughed. “You first.”