David Letterman is entering his last six weeks with CBS’ Late Show, but the veteran host reportedly doesn’t want viewers to think about his departure until the final episode on May 20. Sources close to Letterman told Variety this week that since he’s never been one to crave the limelight, Letterman will be keeping the focus on the show and will likely bow out in a quiet and humble manner reminiscent of iconic host Johnny Carson’s departure from NBC’s Tonight Show.

Networks typically use departures from late night television as a chance to gain support from advertisers who want to capitalize on the inevitable swell of viewers that will come as show moves toward its end and to increase publicity, but broader communications regarding Letterman are typically handled by his production company Worldwide Pants, rather than CBS. Letterman has always preferred keeping viewer attention on his show rather than himself, and sources say he wants everything to stay that way up until his final Late Show episode. Johnny Carson ended his stint on Tonight in a similar manner; while his penultimate program on May 22, 1992, featured a serenade by Bette Midler and a memorable appearance by Robin Williams, his final appearance didn’t feature any guests. Instead, Carson simply talked with his audience and played a few series of clips from past programs.

Worldwide Pants has not yet revealed whether or not Letterman will have guests on his final episode, but CBS recently confirmed that a stacked roster of celebrities which includes George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Seinfeld, Howard Stern, Julia Roberts, Robert Downey Jr., Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Tom Hanks, Jack Hanna and Scarlett Johansson, are slated to appear over the next six weeks. Bill Murray, who was Letterman’s first guest when he started The Late Show, is also expected to return to the program.