The Celebrity Truth

David Letterman has reached a deal with his striking screenwriters that means his late-night talk show will make it’s return, with full writing staff, on January 2.

Letterman’s company, WorldWide Pants, sealed a deal with the union representing the writers – who are currently on strike – which includes a "full, binding, independant agreement" that pays the writers for their work that appears on the internet. This is one of the central reasons for the ongoing writers strike. 

Also returning is the "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson", also produced by Letterman’s company, giving them a competitive edge over their late night rivals, as they will be able to attract big name guests who otherwise won’t cross the picket line to appear on shows that are not endorsed by the Writer’s Guild. 

WorldWide Pants employs 20 writers independant of the CBS network, who broadcasts the show in the US, allowing the company to sign interim agreements with the union until larger ones are decided upon.

Other late night hosts Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, are all returning to their shows over the next couple of weeks without their writers on board.

Approximately 10,500 members of the Writers Guild are currently striking in Hollywood, potentially crippling next years television line ups with many networks preparing to launch or re-launch reality shows to fill programming gaps. 

Next Truth: Celebrity Blogrity: John Mayer Defines A Douchebag 

Photo courtesy of CBS.  Taken by John P Filo.

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