David Letterman has signed on to executive produce Say Hello to Our Good Friend Paul Shaffer, an upcoming feature documentary about his longtime sidekick and Late Show bandleader.
“Paul Shaffer is a show business friend who became a real friend. A comedic partner whose quickness and timing saved me night after night. A composer, arranger and performer with endless range. His vast knowledge and list of collaborators in music make him a living rock and roll hall of fame. There is no one more worthy of an examination of his life and work,” Letterman said in a statement on Tuesday.
Say Hello to Our Good Friend Paul Shaffer is produced by Ballinran Entertainment, Grace Street Media and White Pine Pictures, and UTA Independent Film Group is handling world sales.
Shaffer joined up with Letterman in 1982 for the launch of Late Night With David Letterman on NBC, leading the World’s Most Dangerous Band. In 1993, he made the move with Letterman to CBS for The Late Show to lead the CBS Orchestra after NBC passed Letterman over for the Tonight Show hosting job in favor of Jay Leno.
“Any contribution I have been lucky enough to make to the world of music and comedy has only been possible thanks to my working alongside David Letterman. That’s why Worldwide Pants joining to help tell my story is a dream I cannot wait to share with all of you,” Shaffer said in his own statement about support from Letterman and his production banner.
Also joining as executive producer is Tom Keaney, the Emmy award-winning executive producer of Letterman’s My Next Guest Needs No Introduction for Netflix. Say Hello to Our Good Friend Paul Shaffer will follow Letterman’s bandleader from his musical roots in Thunder Bay, Ontario, to his break as musical director on the celebrated 1972 Toronto production of Godspell. That led to success working on Broadway, Saturday Night Live and his longtime partnership with Letterman.
The project will be executive produced by Vernon Freedlander (Grace Street Media), Craig Thompson (Ballinran Entertainment) and Peter Raymont and Stephen Paniccia (White Pine Pictures).
