Letterman Wearing Pants on New Doc

By S.T. VanAirsdale

Word just in at Reeler HQ reveals that late-night legend David Letterman is throwing his Worldwide Pants -- the production company, not the garment -- behind an as-yet-untitled documentary about five 18- to 20-year-olds running for public office. The film starts shooting this weekend and should be wrapped by Election Day; the candidates are based from Atlantic City to Hartford to Memphis. Ex-Michael Moore wingman Jason Pollock will direct, with An Inconvenient Truth producer Lawrence Bender joining in for extra heft.

Pants has a track record of soul-vaporizing TV hits (Everybody Loves Raymond, Ed) and was one of the principles to lose its ass on the feature adaptation of Strangers With Candy. But things will be different for Letterman's first foray into doc-making, promises a release making the rounds:

“I’m very impressed with Jason Pollock and all the young people in this film,” said David Letterman. “When I was their age I was still delivering papers on a paper route, and I wasn’t even very good at that.” ...

After following the stories of the five candidates in recent months, director Pollock has assembled four film crews to document the exciting final weeks of their historic campaigns. (One candidate’s election, 18-year-old George Monger of Memphis, took place on Oct. 4, 2007.) Shooting will include public campaign appearances, candid individual moments, family interactions, and strategic-planning meetings.

Appropriately jaded and cynical Late Show appearances can't be far behind. Check your local listings, I guess.

Posted at October 29, 2007 12:49 PM