Letterman Staff To Return Next Week

David Letterman fans may breathe a sigh of relief. The longtime late night show host has struck a deal with writer union representatives to allow his team to return. According to Reuters, Letterman's show and all his previous writers will be returning to production as early as next Wednesday, though as a whole, screenwriters are still on strike. As the deal was struck with Letterman's company WorldWide Pants, both "The Late Show" and "The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson" will be returning.

Interestingly, Jay Leno has also announced plans to return to the air with fresh episodes next week, though his show will be sans writers. Jay Leno's show recently let about 80 non-writing staff members go, as an effect of the Writers Guild of America strike.

Conan O'Brien and Letterman made headlines for continuing to bankroll (sometimes out of pocket) many staff members who otherwise would have been fired, as they were not able to work as the shows shut down. O'Brien will also be returning with new episodes after New Years on his popular late night show "Late Night with Conan O'Brien."

Jimmy Kimmel also made a stir when he announced his intention to return to the airwaves simultaneously. He had made it known he supported the few WGA-member writers on his staff, but refused to stay off the air for much longer and risk having other crew members fired.