NBC considering fill-in hosts

LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- NBC is reportedly considering using temporary hosts to replace late-night talk-show stars who won't cross Writers Guild of America picket lines.

Most late-night shows told their non-writer staffs they would be laid off in two weeks if the strike wasn't resolved, Variety.com reported.

Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien, who haven't taped new shows since the strike started last Monday, reportedly may return to the studios before the strike ends to help staff members keep their jobs.

In the mean time, NBC is considering using guest hosts to fill in for Leno and O'Brien.

The problem with that scenario, however, is that it might be difficult to find temporary hosts and guests willing to cross picket lines.

"All sorts of things are being discussed, including guest hosts," "Tonight Show" Executive Producer Debbie Vickers said in a statement.

"Our preference is that we return to production of 'The Tonight Show' with Jay as host as soon as possible. We want to protect the staff, who have been loyal to this show for decades, in the same way that Johnny Carson reluctantly returned without his writers in 1988."

Carson held out for four months before he did that, however.