Letterman Scribes To Fatten Strike Fund

lateshow1.jpgI'm told that, at the end of their first day back, The Late Show writers, the only strikers thus far allowed to go back to work, decided to donate a percentage of their salaries to the WGA Strike Fund and the Actors Fund every month until the labor action ends. "The Strike Fund for obvious reasons, and the Actors Fund because it is need-based for all of those collaterally damaged, including below-the-liners," Late Show writer and strike captain Bill Scheft told me last night. The show's writers also have decided to keep doing a daily picketing shift so the show will be represented walking the line until the strike is settled. "The writers as a whole plan to contribute in whatever small and large ways we can," Scheft said. (Photo of Scheft on the WGA picket line...)

« Letterman Invites Jim Jackoway On Show   UPDATED: NBC War Of Words With WGA Over Leno Writing His Own Monologue! Controversy Erupts Over Strike Breaking »

6 Comments »

  1. How much “support” did they give to the writers that delivered the Top Ten list the first night back?

    Comment by shelly — January 3, 2008 @ 7:05 am

  2. That’s totally classy of them. Go Late Show writers!

    Comment by Sunfire — January 3, 2008 @ 7:25 am

  3. It’s official — Jay’s a scab.

    But come on — we all knew he’d scab a monologue. He has no allegiance to anyone except himself and his act.

    He stabbed Johnny Carson in the back. And David Letterman. And Helen Kushnick. And Howard Stern. And now every writer in town.

    And how about when he cast himself as the underdog against “the CBS machine?” Priceless.

    Comment by Sam adams — January 3, 2008 @ 7:35 am

  4. Yay!

    although i do wish they could’ve spent a little more time explaining the real issues of the strike last night (as opposed to the goofy “it’s about pencils” bit, which wasn’t funny and didn’t explain anything to an American public that would be very sympathetic and would’ve laughed a lot at the crazy idea of things being on the net as “promotion” when there are ads involved.)

    but again, it’s generous and appreciated.

    Comment by WGA Writer — January 3, 2008 @ 11:19 am

  5. The Letterman guys have been some of the most gung-ho picketers on the line. They couldn’t be nicer, more supportive, or more willing to talk to a struggling student-writer who wants to help the picketers in her own meager way. This just cements it; these guys are amazing. Way to go.

    Comment by Your Kid at NYU — January 3, 2008 @ 11:34 am

  6. “although i do wish they could’ve spent a little more time explaining the real issues of the strike last night (as opposed to the goofy “it’s about pencils” bit”

    Agreed. I thought the show was funny, but I hope they get around to actually explaining the strike instead of just making fun of it.

    Comment by Fan — January 3, 2008 @ 1:56 pm

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