Letterman reaches WGA deal

David Letterman has struck a deal with the Writers’ Guild of America that will see him return to television next Wednesday night (US) – with writers.

Worldwide Pants production company reached an agreement on Friday proving, claims the WGA, that the union is open to negotiation.

“We’re happy to be going back to work, and particularly pleased to be doing it with our writers,” Letterman said.

“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.”

It is the first deal struck by the WGA with a studio since the strike began. It will also allow Craig Ferguson to return given he is part of the Worldwide Pants family.

Other Tonight show hosts Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien and Jon Stewart are also set to return, but will likely be miffed by the fact their studios have not reached an agreement. In the rivalry that is the US Tonight Show landscape, the hosts will need to be creative in returning without writers. Carson Daly is not a member of the WGA.

There is no clear outcome on how Worldwide Pants was able to reach an agreement on new media with the WGA given CBS controls much of the web-related income.

“This is a comprehensive agreement that addresses the issues important to writers, particularly new media,” the Guild said. “Worldwide Pants has accepted the very same proposals that the Guild was prepared to present to the media conglomerates when they walked out of negotiations on December 7. Today’s agreement dramatically illustrates that the Writers Guild wants to put people back to work, and that when a company comes to the table prepared to negotiate seriously a fair and reasonable deal can be reached quickly.”

Should Network TEN schedule the first new Late Show next Thursday night, and it likely will, it should make for terrific viewing!

Source: Variety.