Miles O’Brien and Soledad O’Brien had their last day on American Morning today.
“I’ve been thinking about numbers on this Friday the 13th,” Miles said. “I’ve been on the show 95 weeks now. Take out vacations, factor in the year-long stint doing the four-hour show — remember? — and that comes to about 1,500 hours on the air.”
Soledad added: “To our viewers, most of all, really thank you so much for watching. You are in very good hands come Monday morning with a new team that steps in.” (John Roberts and Kiran Chetry take over next week.)
Click continued for the full transcript of the goodbye…
M. O’BRIEN: Welcome back. I’ve been thinking about numbers on this Friday the 13th. I’ve been on the show 95 weeks now. Take out vacations, factor in the year-long stint doing the four-hour show — remember? — and that comes to about 1,500 hours on the air.
Now to put that in perspective, if we were doing a half hour show each day, how long do you think it would take to do…
S. O’BRIEN: My math was never that good. M. O’BRIEN: Fourteen years, it would take 14 years. No wonder I’m so tired! But at least we’re not alone. There are 75 people who work tirelessly and sleeplessly usually to make the people who sit in these chairs look good. And I want to thank all of you for propping me up every morning.
(APPLAUSE)
M. O’BRIEN: Really. And thanks to you, you out there wherever you are, for letting me into your homes. It really has been a privilege. And thanks to my TV wife.
S. O’BRIEN: We’re not really married.
M. O’BRIEN: She’S my seventh TV wife, and the only one people think I’m really married to.
S. O’BRIEN: The last name thing.
M. O’BRIEN: It has been a privilege working with you, really.
This business is about number, of course, and it is also about passion. And my passion lies outside the confines of these walls. So I’m looking forward to being out there to telling stories that interest me, and hopefully you.
S. O’BRIEN: Well, I’d would like to add to that, all of what Miles said, but a couple quick notes to our crew. Phil, I know you wanted me to mention you by name. So there, Phil. Hey, Phil. Big thank you of course to our crew, because, we really appreciate all the hard work you have done for us. It’s a grueling schedule, and we love you and appreciate you. To our producers, to our staff, absolute pros, each and every one of you. We’re grateful for everything you’ve done for us on the show.
To our viewers, most of all, really thank you so much for watching. You are in very good hands come Monday morning with a new team that steps in. And besides that, there’s not much else to say. We’ll see you still on CNN. Thank you for watching. Thank you for everything. Thanks for your support.
All that’s left to say now…
M. O’BRIEN: “CNN NEWSROOM” with T.J. Holmes and Heidi Collins begins right now.