Gene Shalit Leaving 'Today' Show After 40 Years

Gene Shalit, the uniquely-coiffed television personality who has been a mainstay on the Today show for four decades, will leave the NBC program on Nov. 11.

Shalit said in a statement from his pr representative, "It's enough already."

He originally joined the program in 1970 as a regular contributor before replacing Joe Garagiola on the Today desk in 1973.

On his final day, the Today program will broadcast a retrospective salute to his work over the decade, including film reviews and celebrity interviews.

Shalit said in the statement he would "pursue other activities" which include publishing, radio and commercials.