Late night talk shows resume as writers picket

The two shows have been screening reruns since the WGA went on strike against major studios on November 5. The strike by more than 10,000 members of the WGA has halted production on dozens of top TV shows from Desperate Housewives to The Office, as well as several high-profile movies, including a planned sequel to The Da Vinci Code.
The WGA has also refused to grant waivers to the Golden Globes and Oscar shows, threatening the annual extravaganzas with the possibility of picket lines along the red carpet.
The dispute, Hollywood's worst labour clash in 20 years, is estimated to be costing more than 20 million dollars a day. Talks broke off in mid-December amid bitter acrimony. Among other outstanding issues, writers and producers are fighting over how much compensation writers should receive when TV shows and movies are streamed or downloaded over the Internet.
Late last month, Leno explained his decision to return to the air.
"Now that the talks have broken down and there are no further negotiations scheduled, I feel it's my responsibility to get my 100 non-writing staff members, who were laid off, back to work. We fully support our writers, and I think they understand my decision," Leno was quoted by DPA as saying in a statement.