Late Show went off air due to writers' strike

In 2007, the Late Show with David Letterman faced a significant disruption when it went off the air for eight weeks due to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. This strike, which began in November and lasted until December, affected numerous television shows and productions across the industry. However, Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants, took a proactive approach by becoming the first to reach an individual agreement with the WGA. This agreement allowed the Late Show to resume broadcasting on January 2, 2008. Upon his return, Letterman surprised his audience with a newly grown beard, a gesture that symbolized his solidarity with the striking writers. The beard became a talking point and was humorously shaved off during the show on January 7, 2008, marking a return to normalcy for the program. This period highlighted the importance of writers in the television industry and showcased Letterman's commitment to supporting their cause.