LENO AGREES TO PAY STRIKING STAFF
LATEST: U.S. chat show host JAY LENO has agreed to pay laid-off members of his TONIGHT SHOW staff - after he was heavily criticised for not offering to pick up their pay cheques amid the ongoing writers’ strikes.
Unlike peers David Letterman and Conan O’Brien, Leno - who makes an estimated $27 million (£13.5 million) a year - had refused to cover the salaries of his show staff out of his own pocket after they were made redundant on Friday (30Nov07).
But after facing a severe backlash from striking workers, the star has relented and agreed to pay his staff a week’s wages, according to celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.
The lay-offs at the Tonight Show are the latest casualties in the ongoing battle between the Writers Guild of America and producers over royalties.
The strike immediately shut down the late-night comedy shows and has gradually affected the production of many network-produced prime-time series, including Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives.
Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)
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