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What Talk Kings Aren't Telling You

Posted Nov 30th 2007 2:24PM by TMZ Staff

Talk about nice! The kings of late night TV are helping their staffs get through the strike -- by paying them anyway! Nice work if you can get it!
Kings of Late Night
Folksy funnyman David Letterman has been paying his Worldwide Pants staff during the strike, and leprechaunish Conan O'Brien has said that he'll pay his staff if and when NBC decides to lay them off.

Sources close to Jay Leno tell TMZ that Jay gave substantial holiday bonuses to his entire staff to get them through the strike -- but no word about whether he'll pay them if they're laid off by NBC. We're told Jay's a private guy and doesn't like to talk about such things.

Meanwhile, WGA officials are considering an offer from producers -- so the nearly month-long strike may be ending soon.

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16. I was walking by Broadway one day and saw the writers picketing. Their protest signs were all blank!

Posted at 4:55PM on Nov 30th 2007 by SeeMyBoobs

17. They are pretty "stand up guys" for giving employess the money!!!!!

Posted at 5:13PM on Nov 30th 2007 by P-Type

18. I think these guys really care. Leno, Letterman,Conan they're paying the staff. Those people would be out of a job at the holidays. My hats off to these fine gentlemen thanks for the American Spirit!

Posted at 5:24PM on Nov 30th 2007 by b. posey

19. Most people on the Tonight Show although they may have worked there exclusively for years,are not technically staff.These people many who could least afford got nothing.No carry over pay,no bonus .There is no obligation on Leno's part to do this,but the idea that everyone was "taken care of ",is not true.

Posted at 2:00AM on Dec 1st 2007 by courtney

20. Well, good for Letterman and O'Brien....tis the season but what's with Leno firing his people? We need more info on that.....just doesn't sound right.

Posted at 12:47AM on Dec 1st 2007 by Sarah

21. you should look into stuff more before you post it here all jay leno payed them was 100 WOW THAT IS ALOT OF MONEY FOR A GUY THAT HAS 1000000's cheap ass jay

Posted at 5:37AM on Dec 2nd 2007 by jeff schneider

22. No MATTER! DAvid Letrerman has been paying his staff right along - conan just started and Leno is a cheap jerk! he couldn't stand one minute without his writers - who aren't that good anyway. I get better "tips" delivering the papers!!!! I'll bet David Letterman could do all of his shows without his writers - but honors the strike. Leno is a bag of cheap poop!

Posted at 6:11PM on Dec 1st 2007 by hopey-joe

23. uh, $100 isnt a substantial christmas bonus, jay. and you were planning on giving that bonus anyway. take a lesson from a gentleman like dave. no wonder johnny liked dave better!

Posted at 3:18AM on Dec 2nd 2007 by wendoxia

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