David Letterman Working on Deal With WGA

[itsrobert]

David Letterman Working on Deal With WGA
The late-night host is working on an interim deal with striking writers that could put his show back on the air next month

(FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES) - David Letterman is working on a deal with the striking Writers Guild of America that would allow his late-night CBS show to begin broadcasting again using content penned by his usual team of scribes, his production company, World Wide Pants, said on Saturday (Dec. 15). According to the New York Times, a World Wide Pants spokesperson said that an interim deal with writers may come as soon as next week, which could put The Late Show with David Letterman back on the air next month. The deal would also put The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson — also produced by World Wide Pants — back in production. It is expected that a potential interim deal would commit World Wide Pants to whatever terms are finally agreed to in the contract talks between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Pictures & Television Producers.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20166641,00.html

Go Dave!

[Kajsa]

1. This sounds good.

I hope others follow his lead.

[SoCalDem]

2. Great news for us and for Dave & Craig's writers, BUT

a problem for the strikers.. It lessens the "hurt" for the corporate types, and weakens the position of the strikers.

[aquart]

3. Don't know about that. How does breaking ranks help them?

If the Letterman deal is generous, it sets a standard. Then the producers who do not negotiate get to continue losing money while Letterman rakes it in. Sure doesn't help NBC against late nite CBS, does it?

[SoCalDem]

4. The lower paid writers will be lacking the clout of the higher paid writers' support.

It's very much like when insurors peel off the sick people from their "customer base".. the ones who are young and healthy get a "break" for a while, on premiums, but the ones who need the insurance the most, are deemed uninsurable or have premiums so high, they drop the coverage..either way the company wins..

Strength is in numbers..not in factions..

[Kajsa]

5. I didn't know that, either.

I do support the strikers.

It looked like a way to break through the stalemate.

Now, I see it differently.

[KharmaTrain]

9. Depends On What The Writers Settle For

I suspect Dave is willing to meet union demands and that this deal includes profit sharing and royalties or else the writers wouldn't come back. He's been paying his staff during the strike and has been the most supportive of the late night shows/hosts.

If anything, I see Dave forcing the issue. Since he is a major producer of late night programming he could set the benchmark that forces the producers hands in their negotiations with the other shows. The fact this is being announced on the weekend sure has to have caught the producers by surprise.

[hfojvt]

6. Does Dave's show even need writers?

It's so bad, I thought he was just winging it.

[SoCalDem]

7. He's head and shoulders ABOVE that slacker, Jay

:)

[itsrobert]

8. I didn't know a Jay Leno writer posted here

Welcome!

[SoCalDem]

10. they may be here stealing our jokes.They probably print out the DUzys every week

:rofl: