Letterman back on the air with writers

New York -- David Letterman's first new show in two months was packed with jokes aimed at the conglomerates that U.S. screenwriters are striking against.

"Late Show with David Letterman" was the first late-night TV show to go back on the air with its writers, thanks to an independent deal made between the striking Writers Guild of America and Letterman's Worldwide Pants production company.

The WGA has been on strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers since Nov. 5.

During his monologue Wednesday, Letterman reminded the audience: "You're watching the 'Late Show,' the only show on the air now that has jokes written by union writers. I know you're thinking to yourselves at home right now, 'This crap is written?' Yes."

Letterman also thanked those who worked to hammer out the agreement that allowed his writers to go back to work, noting that "without writers and without caffeine, I would have virtually no personality whatsoever."

Comedian Robin Williams, who has walked the picket line with the striking writers, was Letterman's first guest.

Letterman also had striking writers come into the studio to do his first Top 10 list of 2008, a comedic look at the WGA's demands.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.