Metro

De Blasio lobbies to keep ‘Late Show’ in New York

It’s early in the game, but the lobbying to keep the “Late Show with David Letterman” in New York is in full swing.

Mayor Bill de Blasio disclosed Tuesday that he called CBS honcho Les Moonves on Monday to tout the benefits of keeping Letterman’s show in the city after the longtime host retires next year.

“I had a very good conversation yesterday with the man who will actually make the decision,” the mayor said during a City Hall press conference.

“I emphasized that New York has been an extraordinary home for the ‘Late Show.’ And that we think it will be a great home for the ‘Late Show’ going forward.”

The mayor didn’t say how well his pitch was received, and a CBS spokeswoman did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

But it could take more than sweet talk to keep the long-running show from bolting to sunnier pastures if a bicoastal bidding war breaks out.

New York state lured the “Tonight Show” from LA by making it eligible for tax subsidies of 30 percent of production costs in last year’s Albany budget. The subsidies had previously been targeted solely at new shows.