Mountain Man David Letterman Returns To Late Show

Last night, David Letterman and Jay Leno returned to their network shows after the late local news. While I was unable to watch their shows because I was not home from work yet, I did see some pictures of David Letterman supporting a full grown beard. Like myself, Letterman's beard was full of gray hair and it looked good to me because I think men look distinguished when they let their beards grow out. It didn't take long for supporters of the WGA to start lending their full support to David Letterman, while ditching Jay Leno at every turn.

First thing this morning I read that WGA members were angry at Jay Leno because he said that he wrote part of his own material for last night's monologue, for the Tonight Show, which is not permitted because he is also a member of the union that is striking against Leno's employer – NBC. What I don't understand is this, how can Jay Leno be allowed to be on his own show in the first place, if he isn't allowed to write his own material for that show? Union rules are often confusing and contradictory and that is why many Americans no longer support unions. One thing is for certain and that is David Letterman has the advantage right now, but if the public become angry with the WGA union – then Jay Leno might look more like a brave man standing up to them, instead of a man that is using scabs to produce his show.

Right now the WGA still has wide support among most Americans, but that support will fade over time as more and more people are kept from watching their favorite television programs and movies. From my limited understanding of unions, I always thought there was management and union labor in these types of situations. Apparently, that is not entirely true because Jay Leno is most definitely in management when it comes to decisions about his show – so how can he be a member of a union at the same time? For millions of people, like myself, who live in the Heartland where unions are very seldom seen – it is hard to understand how and why they work. From day one it has been rumored that big Hollywood studios and major television networks were out to break the WGA and right now it appears they might just succeed.

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