Neal Conan, 'Talk of the Nation' sign off

Thursday was the final day for NPR's long-running show "Talk of the Nation." Staffers gathered and posted a Twitpic of Neal Conan, the host for the past 12 years, coming out of the studio after doing the last broadcast. Listen to the final show and Conan's final words. He ended with a promise to listen to public radio and open his checkbook, but he also threw down a challenge to his longtime colleagues at NPR: Keep reporting the news and "Tell me what's important. Don't waste my time with stupid stuff."

Neal Conan signs off. Thank you all for listening and participating in our conversation! pic.twitter.com/NDduWjPv5u

— Talk of the Nation (@totn) June 27, 2013

Before the show, he sat for an interview with Michel Martin on NPR's Tell Me More. Before Conan, who is leaving NPR, the hosts had been John Hockenberry, Ray Suarez and Juan Williams.