THE LATE SHOW - U.S CHAT SHOWS SET TO RETURN

U.S CHAT SHOWS SET TO RETURN

Talks are underway to resume production on U.S talk shows THE LATE SHOW, THE TONIGHT SHOW AND THE LATE, LATE SHOW after all three programmes were taken off air due to the ongoing Hollywood writers strike. The chat shows could return to the small screen as early as next month (Dec07) if secret negotiations with striking writers are successful, according to reports. Producers were forced to cancel planned shows and broadcast repeats after the strikes brought production to a halt. Members of Writers Guilld of America have been staging walkouts since 5 November (07) after talks between the union and studio representatives failed to resolve a dispute over royalties. On Thursday (15Nov07), A Beautiful Mind director Ron Howard joined the picket lines outside Viacom's Times Square Offices in New York. He says, "Both television residuals and DVD sales are things that creative union members really depend upon in order to sustain careers. The backbone of the industry -- not the elite and not the fringe members - but the real backbone members need it."