Furry David Letterman Returns To TV

Talk Show Host Back On The Air With Writers - And With A Beard

(CBS)  Sporting a full beard and flanked by a kick line of dancers carrying picket signs, David Letterman walked on to the stage of the Ed Sullivan Theater for the first new episode of the CBS "Late Show" in two months.

"I know what you're thinking," he told the audience at the beginning of his monologue, "'Dave looks like a cattle drive cook.'"

Letterman's show went into reruns after the Writers Guild of America went on strike Nov. 5. His production company, Worldwide Pants, made a deal directly with the writers so that "Late Show" and the "Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson" union staff could get back to work.

"The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" were also scheduled to air new episodes Wednesday, but without a writing staff.

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Photos: David Letterman

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During the show, Letterman kept the writers strike theme rolling by bringing striking writers from other shows on the stage to do the Top Ten list.

Letterman also formally acknowledged the guild itself.

"I want to thank the Writers Guild of America for allowing our show and our writers to come back to work with a contractual agreement," said Letterman, "Thank you very much, I know people worked long and hard for that."

Comedian Robin Williams and rapper Lupe Fiasco were on hand for the evening.

Williams, a frequent guest on the show, couldn't resist launching into an extended riff about Letterman's beard when he sat down for his interview.

"My God, you should have your own cough drop," said Williams.

[dylanxxv]

Just say "NO zebra''s"...

[moonsharky]

FlangeSqueal:

Hey dummy, Robin Williams did NOT cross any picket line... Letterman has an agreement and the full blessing of the WGA.

Leno did cross that line.

Hucky is only leading (What the hell is Iowa thinking?) in Iowa. Come Feb 5th we''ll see who is the leader. Hint: Giuliani will be our next president.