Letterman & WGA Fail in Talks — No Christmas Present

David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants production company and the Writers Guild of America (WGA), after a lively debate over the negotiating table yesterday, failed to come away from what was hoped to be a real break-through in the strike, with any kind of solid agreement.

Neither side would reveal the sticking point(s) that prevented a successful outcome to the talks, but talks will continue directly after the Christmas Day holiday next week.

“A lively exchange of information took place,” stated a WGA neogtiator. “A frank exchange of views.”

Since the talks were unproductive and if go without success again next week, Letterman’s goal of returning behind his famous desk and old style microphone on January 2, 2008 may have to be curtailed. Letterman is a strong supporter of his writing staff and the goals of the WGA and, even though no official statement came from him, may continue running reruns until the strike is over. It is assumed that Dave will continue paying his staff’s salaries out of his own pocket.

His late night competitors Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel, as well as late, late night host Conan O’Brien, plan on returning to the airways on January 2 whether the strike is settled by then or not. If the strike is still on, the three will have to wing it without professional writers and while all three are comic writers themselves, their shows are expected to suffer. The other early night talkers, Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert are returning to their Comedy Central shows on January 7, with or without their writing staff.

“We had a substantive discussion today [Friday] with the WGA and look forward to continuing these talks next week,” Rob Burnett, president and CEO of Worldwide Pants said.