Today is the last day that the non-writing staff will be paid by NBC and will effectively be laid off. Conan O'Brien said he will be paying his 80 person staff out his own pocket. Unlike David Letterman he does not own the show, so it is really coming out of his own pocket. Way to go Conan!
When it comes to Jay Leno's staff they are SOL as of today. Leno does not own the show and according to DHD since he is mad at NBC and Jeff Zucker for still passing the torch to Conan and will not be crossing the line anytime soon.
Now what about the only talk show host to cross the line, why did he do it. Well also according to DHD Carson Daly was told return to TV now or you will not have a show to return to.
UPDATE: According to
TMZ Jay Leno gave his staff a Christmas bonus check, but before you think how nice…it was only for $100.00 whole. In fact not all the staff even got that check and he didn't even say anything to the staff that was laid off. What a Scrooge.
UPDATE:
Variety confirms, but explains the Leno situation more.
