NEW YORK – The Ted Koppel era on ABC’s “Nightline” ended with his farewell Tuesday night after 25 years of offering a serious alternative to late-night laughs.
Koppel’s final broadcast was a look back at one of his favorite interviews: his 1995 conversation with terminally ill college professor Morrie Schwartz, which led to Mitch Albom’s best-selling book “Tuesdays With Morrie.”
“Nightline” will continue Monday with a revamped format and hosts Martin Bashir, Cynthia McFadden and Terry Moran.
The program officially began in March 1980. After Koppel spent several months briefing viewers each night about the Iranian hostage crisis, ABC put him in that time slot permanently.
Koppel, 65, slowed down in his last few years, often working three nights a week and, like the late-night comedians, taping his show a few hours before broadcast.
Koppel is not retiring – he will continue working with his producer, Tom Bettag. They were negotiating with HBO about doing documentaries.
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