Producers of "Late Show with David Letterman" and "The Late, Late Show," will keep paying non-writing staff, even though the U.S. TV shows are dark.

Worldwide Pants Inc. shut down production on both shows when the Writers Guild of America went on strike Nov. 5.

"Next week's tapings of 'The Late Show' and 'The Late Late Show' have been canceled and we will continue to make a week-by-week determination about future tapings," Worldwide Pants Inc. spokesman Steven Rubenstein said in a statement obtained by E! News.

"However, it is important to Dave that our staff members have some degree of support during this uncertain time," he said. "Therefore, Worldwide Pants, which independently produces both shows, will continue to pay the non-writing staff of the shows -- 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."

Rubinstein said the company hopes "both sides in this dispute will make progress toward" getting back to work.  // Copyright 2007 by United Press International



Publication date: 18 November 2007   

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