In what could be a major move in ending the 2-month old walk-out of writers, David Letterman, famed late night talk show host and heir-apparent to the crown worn by the late Johnny Carson for over 30 years, has entered negotiations with the WGA that could allow writers to return to work on a network by network and studio by studio basis. Jon Stewart of “The Daily Show” was quick to follow Letterman’s lead.
This new tactic could allow the WGA to totally by-pass the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), an alliance of corporate entertainment businesses such as the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) General Electric (which owns NBC Universal), News Corporation, Sony, Time Warner, The Walt Disney Company and Viacom (the parent company of CBS/Paramount).
If the WGA is successful with this latest strategy of individual bargaining, it would be the first time it has worked since the Alliance was formed 25 years ago.
Letterman’s company, Worldwide Pants, is one of the largest independent production companies in the world and it is ready and willing to negotiate with the WGA.
“Since the beginning of the strike, we have expressed our willingness to sign an interim agreement with the Guild consistent with its positions in this dispute,” WorldWide Pants chief executive Rob Burnett said in a statement.
Could this turn out to be the first ray of sunshine in what was turning out to be a dark and dreary TV and movie season? If so, David Letterman will not only have his place in TV history as an all important entertainer, but one who may have also single-handedly broken the grip that the AMPTP has had on the industry for the last quarter century.
Oh please, for the love of God, let this work! Then not only can they get the strike finished, they can shut out the people most likely to cause further strikes. Salvation is at hand!
Go Dave Go!
Way to go Dave!
Smart move. The Wall St Journal did an article about a week ago which stated the various networks and corporations in the AMPTP are not united. Each has its own agenda and breaking point.
If one of the major networks breaks the rest will be forced to follow. The same applies to the movie studios. No one can afford not to settle if a major competitor settles and is able to put out new product.
Dave rocks! If this succeeds, a lot of the celebrities who support the writers should do his show, just to thank him.
Who knew that David Letterman would be the saviour to the WGA strike. I certainly didn’t see it coming and I hope Dave can be the man to break the strike. He’s a good guy.
Dave FTW!
– Dwayne Charrington.
only if many do it, will individual negotiations continue to happen.
The writers are on strike? huh…interesting…never noticed.
Sweet, if a single employer wants to meet the unions demands, all will follow. Buissness associations be damned. Now if only I could find a decent union for cooks like me.
Please, God. The idea of going through political silly season without Stewart and The Daily Show is too much to bear.
Way to go Dave! However, this is certainly not going to end the strike. Dave, as the independent owner of his show, has the power to negotiate on his own behalf and need only worry about his immediate staff. However, 90% of anything you watch on the tube is owned by the network (e.g. Late Night with Conan is owned by NBC). The networks have a lot more at stake financially (with many many more writers) and will be less likely to move on these negotiations…
So why do people watch Jay Leno again? Because loser celebs choose his show to explain their idiotic behavior while he fawns over them? Letterman is funnier, smarter and just plain bad ass. Screw Leno. Go Dave!
Thank you, Mr. Letterman. Show those bleeping mega-corps how to play fair!
all i can say is 465 must now be DAVE LETTERMEN EXPRESSWAY!!!!!
Lets hope this helps cuz currently television sucks. The endless supply of reality TV, game shows and commercials, commercials, commercials has fried my brain. I have stopped watching TV and started reading. Who knew…