Letterman Softens The Blow During Strike

Late Night Host Makes Sure Non-Writing Staff Members Don't Miss Payday

(CBS)  The Writers Guild of America strike continues to impact late night television, but David Letterman is doing what he can to help out non-writing staff members.

Letterman's Worldwide Pants, Inc., which independently produces "The Late Show" and "The Late, Late Show" will continue to pay the non-writing staff of both shows, the company said in a statement Thursday.

That includes "fully compensating lower-salaried employees, and providing a substantial portion of salaries for those at the higher end -- at least through the end of the year," Worldwide Pants spokesman Steven Rubenstein said in a statement obtained by The ShowBuzz.

Rubenstein said that "it is important to Dave that our staff members have some degree of support during this uncertain time."

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Photos: Writers Walk

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Next week's tapings of both shows have been cancelled, CBS announced Friday. Worldwide Pants will "continue to make a week-by-week determination about future tapings."

The writers have been on strike since Monday, Nov. 5 over payments for film and TV shows streamed over the Internet.

[thgdriver]

Dave, thats a first class move. What else would we expect from a first class guy.

[mgpm-2009]

Good on ya Dave!! I knew I liked you better than Leno for a reason.

[majordude2-2009]

Dave is truly the greatest.

[curtchester]

Dave is a BIG man. The writers have made him what he is today...rich. His actions will earn him even stronger loyalty from his staff. Bravo, Dave.

[billpl-2009]

need to fire the writers and outsource to India

....oh wait a minute, that would really suck

how about make the actors pay for their own writers?..that''ll make the writers happy :)))

[bill1fj]

ATTA BOY, DAVE

[yongamerica]

Because the writers union is paying the writers while they strike.

[yashman-2009]

Good old Dave

[straightener--2008]

dave''s awesome. always edgier and funnier than leno or johnny.