It's official: Jay and Conan back on Jan. 2; Conan speaks

Here's the release from NBC:

BURBANK -- December 17, 2007

After two months of repeats, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" will resume broadcasting all-new episodes beginning Wednesday, January 2, 2008 (11:35 p.m., 12:35 a.m., respectively).

The late night shows suspended production due to the strike by the Writers Guild of America on November 5 and have aired repeats since.

"During the 1988 writers strike, Johnny Carson reluctantly returned to 'The Tonight Show' without his writers after two months. Both Jay and Conan have supported their writers during the first two months of this WGA strike and will continue to support them. However, there are hundreds of people who will be able to return to work as a result of Jay's and Conan's decision," said Rick Ludwin, Executive Vice President, Late Night & Primetime Series.

Guest lineups for the shows will be announced at a later date.

UPDATE: Conan O'Brien has issued this statement... and no one has to be fired.

"For the past seven weeks of the writers' strike, I have been and continue to be an ardent supporter of the WGA and their cause. My career in television started as a WGA member and my subsequent career as a performer has only been possible because of the creativity and integrity of my writing staff. Since the strike began, I have stayed off the air in support of the striking writers while, at the same time, doing everything I could to take care of the 80 non-writing staff members on Late Night.

Unfortunately, now with the New Year upon us, I am left with a difficult decision. Either go back to work and keep my staff employed or stay dark and allow 80 people, many of whom have worked for me for fourteen years, to lose their jobs. If my show were entirely scripted I would have no choice. But the truth is that shows like mine are hybrids, with both written and non-written content. An unwritten version of Late Night, though not desirable, is possible

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 and I'll do the best version of Late Night I can under the circumstances. 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."

--Josef Adalian

Comments

[Dave S.]

Good for them.

The first major crack in the armor w/ more to follow suit shortly thereafter.

Again...you dumb writers are about to discover that NOBODY outside of your little cliques CARE you're on strike!

Your job is a privilege...but of course you're starting to realize that about now.

[Bill]

Hey Dave! How are you!

I love HOW you capitalize certain parts OF your sentences to emphasize THEM. I'm trying it, but I don't thik I'm DOING it right. Oh well, I'm a dumb writer, comes with the territory, eh Dave?

Anyway, I would like to cordially invite you to the WGA rally at City Hall on Wednesday. There you can engage in further discourse akin to your post above. We (the WGA) will provide the snacks, you can provide the spice! Ha!

It would be a "privilege" to meet you, you sound like a fun guy!

[When?]

At City Hall, eh? Are you guys planning a coup? Are the snacks for everyone?