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Backed By Writers, Bearded Letterman Returns To Work

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 3, 2008

A fully bearded David Letterman opened his first show in two months by walking out amid dancing girls holding picket signs for striking TV writers.

"I know what you're thinking," Letterman said Wednesday of his mostly white beard. "You think Dave looks like a cattle-drive cook."

One of five talk-show hosts to return to work - and, with Craig Ferguson, one of only two with working writers - Letterman was joined by comic Robin Williams and a cameo by Hillary Rodham Clinton on tape from Iowa.

"Dave has been off the air for eight long weeks because of the writers strike," the Democratic presidential candidate said in a cold opening to Letterman's "Late Show." "Tonight, he's back. Oh, well, all good things come to an end."

Williams teased Letterman unmercifully about the beard, alternately comparing him to Gen. Robert E. Lee, a rabbi and a mullah in Iraq.

"My God, man, you've aged," Williams said.

The return of TV's late-night funnymen after a two-month strike hiatus turned into a bizarre mix of picketing and presidential politics Wednesday as Mike Huckabee headed for Jay Leno's show and Clinton turned to Letterman.

Meanwhile, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association had hoped last-minute negotiations with the Writers Guild of America would allow the Golden Globes to go on. But the guild said late Wednesday that striking writers still intend to picket the Jan. 13 ceremony.

Spears' Lawyers Quitting Custody Case

Britney Spears' attorneys in her custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline are quitting.

The law firm Trope and Trope asked a court in Los Angeles on Wednesday to be relieved as Spears' attorneys. The firm says there's been a "breakdown" in communication with the pop princess that makes representing her "impossible," according the filing, obtained by CelebTV.com.

A message left with a publicist for Spears' record label was not immediately returned.
Spears and Federline have been wrangling for months over custody of their sons, 2-year-old Sean Preston and 1-year-old Jayden James. Federline has temporary custody because Spears, who has limited visitation rights, has defied court orders. The two were married in October 2004 and finalized their divorce in July.

Minnelli Ready To Return After Collapse

Start spreading the news: Liza Minnelli will sing again.

Almost three weeks after collapsing during a show in Sweden, the 61-year-old entertainer was doing fine and preparing for her next gig, Minnelli's attorney, Allen Arrow, told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

"Not to worry," Arrow said. He would not elaborate on Minnelli's health scare. Arrow said Minnelli was going back into rehearsals at the end of the week, and will resume her touring schedule Jan. 12 in Providence, R.I.

The singer was performing in a Christmas show Dec. 12 in Goteborg, Sweden's second-largest city, when she collapsed while walking offstage. She flew to the United States the next day on the advice of doctors there.

Today's Birthdays

Actor Robert Loggia is 78. Actor Dabney Coleman is 76. Singer Stephen Stills is 63. Bassist John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin is 62. Actress Victoria Principal is 58. Actor Mel Gibson is 52. Jazz saxophonist James Carter is 39.

Source: The Associated Press

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