Letterman Weighs His Options (again) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 03-08-2002, 01:09 AM

Letterman Weighs His Options
by Mark Armstrong
Mar 7, 2002, 2:00 PM PT

Well, at least we know it really isn't about the money.

From the home office in New York City, David Letterman is reportedly deliberating over a pair of offers being dangled by CBS and ABC for his Late Show. And if those numbers are correct, all this late-night haggling, hustling and Ted Koppel ego-bruising has finally come down to...a $1.5 million raise?!?

That's right, CBS is said to be offering Letterman $31.5 million a year to stay at the network--which, not including bonuses, is up just $1.5 million from his current salary. The network is also promising to cover the costs of the Worldwide Pants production, which is currently about $40 million.

ABC, meanwhile, is also offering to cover the show's costs, while giving the late-night icon $31 million a year and a brand new studio at the network's Times Square complex, Entertainment Weekly reports.

Both networks are putting their best offers out on the table, after CBS failed to renew his Late Show contract during an exclusive negotiating period. ABC then stepped in, offering Letterman the 11:35 p.m. timeslot currently occupied by Ted Koppel's Nightline.

According to the magazine, ABC execs thought they were going to close the deal in February during a meeting with Letterman. Instead, Dave decided to take his vacation time to think about it. He's now due back next week.

ABC, however, called the EW report "totally inaccurate on all money points," according to the Associated Press.

If Letterman does decide to bolt from CBS, Howard Stern says he'd gladly take his spot in late night. Net gossip-monger Matt Drudge reported this week that CBS execs were eyeing Stern or Daily Show host Jon Stewart to take over at 11:35 p.m. if Letterman leaves.

But Stern doesn't think it's gonna happen. "Letterman is not going anywhere, he's staying at CBS," Stern said, while speaking to Drudge on his radio show Thursday.

"He was never going to leave," Stern added. "He's been using the newspapers in his contract talks. Of course he's not going anywhere. He leaked all this stuff about ABC...It was Machiavellian. They all fell for it."

Meantime, in the bruised-morale department, Ted Koppel has at least one network willing to hire him if ABC does decide to bounce Nightline from its late-night home for the past two decades. CNN Chief Walter Isaacson suggested the news network would try to snag the anchor if he became available.

Bootsy Whoosh · 03-08-2002, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA
If Letterman does decide to bolt from CBS, Howard Stern says he'd gladly take his spot in late night. Net gossip-monger Matt Drudge reported this week that CBS execs were eyeing Stern or Daily Show host Jon Stewart to take over at 11:35 p.m. if Letterman leaves.

Barf to Howard Stern. Isn't his 15 minutes over yet?

I wouldn't mind Jon Stewart though, in fact I would prefer him. I hate Dave.

dawsongirl · 03-08-2002, 05:55 PM

I heard on KTLA this morning that ABC told Dave they'd even go as far as to put advertising in every hotel room that Disney owns and plaster advertising all over ESPN. Ugh.

03-08-2002, 01:09 AM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Letterman Weighs His Options (again) Letterman Weighs His Options by Mark Armstrong Mar 7, 2002, 2:00 PM PT Well, at least we know it really isn't about the money. From the home office in New York City, David Letterman is reportedly deliberating over a pair of offers being dangled by CBS and ABC for his Late Show. And if those numbers are correct, all this late-night haggling, hustling and Ted Koppel ego-bruising has finally come down to...a $1.5 million raise?!? That's right, CBS is said to be offering Letterman $31.5 million a year to stay at the network--which, not including bonuses, is up just $1.5 million from his current salary. The network is also promising to cover the costs of the Worldwide Pants production, which is currently about $40 million. ABC, meanwhile, is also offering to cover the show's costs, while giving the late-night icon $31 million a year and a brand new studio at the network's Times Square complex, Entertainment Weekly reports. Both networks are putting their best offers out on the table, after CBS failed to renew his Late Show contract during an exclusive negotiating period. ABC then stepped in, offering Letterman the 11:35 p.m. timeslot currently occupied by Ted Koppel's Nightline. According to the magazine, ABC execs thought they were going to close the deal in February during a meeting with Letterman. Instead, Dave decided to take his vacation time to think about it. He's now due back next week. ABC, however, called the EW report "totally inaccurate on all money points," according to the Associated Press. If Letterman does decide to bolt from CBS, Howard Stern says he'd gladly take his spot in late night. Net gossip-monger Matt Drudge reported this week that CBS execs were eyeing Stern or Daily Show host Jon Stewart to take over at 11:35 p.m. if Letterman leaves. But Stern doesn't think it's gonna happen. "Letterman is not going anywhere, he's staying at CBS," Stern said, while speaking to Drudge on his radio show Thursday. "He was never going to leave," Stern added. "He's been using the newspapers in his contract talks. Of course he's not going anywhere. He leaked all this stuff about ABC...It was Machiavellian. They all fell for it." Meantime, in the bruised-morale department, Ted Koppel has at least one network willing to hire him if ABC does decide to bounce Nightline from its late-night home for the past two decades. CNN Chief Walter Isaacson suggested the news network would try to snag the anchor if he became available.

03-08-2002, 05:55 PM	#3
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	I heard on KTLA this morning that ABC told Dave they'd even go as far as to put advertising in every hotel room that Disney owns and plaster advertising all over ESPN. Ugh.