Leno, O'Brien To Return

Talk-show hosts Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien will return to the air on January 2 despite the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike, NBC announced yesterday. "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" have been in reruns since the strike began in early November. Both hosts expressed their encouragement for the writers' strike.

"I will make clear, on the program, my support for the writers and I'll do the best version of 'Late Night' I can under the circumstances," Mr. O'Brien said in a written statement. "Of course, my show will not be as good. In fact, in moments it may very well be terrible." Mr. Leno, who has also voiced support for the writers, said he felt it was necessary to bring his 100 non-writing staff members back to work, as they risk layoffs if the show does not air new episodes. "Both Jay and Conan have supported their writers … and will continue supporting them," NBC's statement said. "However, there are hundreds of people who will be able to return to work as a result of Jay's and Conan's decision."

Mike Sweeney, chief of the "Late Night" staff of 14 writers, said, "We all know what a difficult position Conan is in. He's been incredibly supportive of us."

Messrs. O'Brien and Leno have paid their staffs' salaries since early December, following the example of host David Letterman, who has paid his employees since the strike began on November 5. All three hosts are members of the Writers Guild of America.