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Letterman writers back to work

29/12/2007

David Letterman will be the first US chatshow host hit by the Hollywood writers' strike to go back on air with a full team of writers tonight.

The Late Show has negotiated a deal with striking writers over contentious profits relating to internet content in the first of what the Writers' Guild of America (WGA) hopes will be a series of deals with individual shows.

Strike action has been ongoing since November 5th, grinding the US television industry to a halt and leaving many chatshows forced into running repeats.

But now Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants, has accommodated the writers, allowing it and The Late Late Show with Conan O'Brien to return to viewers' screens after a lengthy break.

"This is not a solution to the strike, which unfortunately continues to disrupt the lives of thousands. But I hope it will be seen as a step in the right direction," Letterman said in a statement.

Commentators say the move gives the CBS a distinct advantage over its rivals in the ratings stakes.

And WGA-West president Patric Verrone believes the agreement is a "positive step forward" in efforts to achieve an industry-wide deal.

"We are seeking deals with individual signatories. The Worldwide Pants deal is the first. We hope it will encourage other companies, especially large employers, to seek and reach agreements with us," he told striking writers in an email.

Tonight's Late Show features Jim Carrey and Alanis Morrisette as guests.