Leno And Conan: Back To Work

Last weekend, we saw Jay Leno chowing down at a hamburger stand around the corner from us, and now we know why the denim-clad talk show looked so happy (and no, it wasn’t the burger). Yesterday, Leno and his fellow NBC late night host Conan O’Brien announced they are returning to work January 2, following a two-month work stoppage stemming from the writers strike. In other words, no more re-runs in 2008. Both emphasized that they will be working sans writers, though Leno’s chief writer has talked about his hope that the network can reach an independent agreement with the WGA as Letterman is reportedly working out.

“No one has to be fired,” O’Brien said in a statement yesterday. “So, it is only after a great deal of thought that I have decided to go back on the air on January 2nd.”

“I will make clear, on the program, my support for the writers,” he added. “Of course, my show will not be as good. In fact, in moments it may very well be terrible. My sincerest hope is that all of my writers are back soon, working under a contract that provides them everything they deserve.”

“We fully support our writers and I think they understand my decision,” Leno said.