» Late Night Shows Ready to Return Without Writers

- Late Night Shows Ready to Return Without Writers
  
  A post about News by Josh on December 17th, '07
  
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- Late night talk shows are in uncharted territory. With no end to the WGA strike in sight, Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien are planning to go it alone, beginning to record new shows January 2nd. Both shows will do so without writers. Leno traditionally has a dozen writers on staff, though he writes much of the material himself (and is a member of the WGA). Both O’Brien and Leno have been paying their staff from their own pockets for the past month-and-a-half.
  
  David Letterman is trying a different tactic. Rather than crossing picket lines, he is trying to get the WGA to agree to let writers return to work on his show and The Late Late show with Craig Ferguson. It will be interesting to see whose strategy pays off in the ultra-competitive world of late night talk.
  
  All the shows will have to struggle a bit to find guests who are willing to cross picket lines to be on the show. The issue is not so much that the hosts don’t support the striking guild members; it is simply a case of choosing the lesser evil. Hundreds of other staffers, from stagehands to camera operators to band members are out of work. I’m sure Conan O’Brien is not wanting for money, but he can’t keep paying a hundred people’s salaries out of his own pocket.
  
  O’Brien, who got his start as a writer on The Simpsons and Saturday Night Live, explains the situation surrounding his show’s return:
  
  “I will make clear, on the program, my support for the writers. Of course, my show will not be as good. In fact, in moments it may very well be terrible. My sincerest hope is that all of my writers are back soon, working under a contract that provides them everything they deserve.”
  
  At least people will get a chance to see how good the highly touted hosts really are. All are experienced performers with hundreds if not thousands of shows under their belt. I wouldn’t take any bets against them.
  
  Late night’s much anticipated return is scheduled for January 2nd.
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