Print
Dec 20, 2007 8:55 am US/Pacific
Letterman's Company To Meet With Writers
NEW YORK (AP) ―
-
-
David Letterman is also aiming for a Jan. 2 return.
John Paul Filo/CBS
Leaders of striking television writers plan to meet Friday with
David Letterman's production company in an attempt to reach a separate
deal that could make the "Late Show" the only late-night TV program on
the air with a writing staff.
The union's announcement last week that it would negotiate
separately with production companies was seen as an indication that
writers would work out something with Worldwide Pants, the
Letterman-owned company that produces his show and Craig Ferguson's CBS
talker.
It hasn't worked out that way, a sign that some in the Writer's
Guild may be having second thoughts. Meanwhile, Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien
and Jimmy Kimmel have all said they would resume their programs on Jan.
2 without their writing staffs.
Letterman is also aiming for a Jan. 2 return.
"With the WGA now embracing a strategy of offering interim
agreements to individual companies, it is inconceivable to us that
there is any producing entity more deserving than Worldwide Pants,
which has been and continues to be a staunch supporter of the Writer's
Guild and its positions," said Rob Burnett, the company's president, in
a statement announcing Friday's meeting.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
