Chat kings shell out for suspended staff

Jay Leno, David Letterman and Conan O'Brien are all paying non-writing staff suspended because of the WGA strike from their own pockets.

The chat shows have had to be put on hold so even non-striking employees can not work.

But Letterman, whose produces The Late Show With David Letterman and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson through Worldwide Pants Inc, said he would pay staff on both until the end of the year. On Thursday O'Brien said he would pay Late Night With Conan O'Brien staff weekly.

And on Saturday Hollywood Reporter said Leno had agreed to do the same for 80 The Tonight Show employees. His assurance apparently only came after staff complained when suspended the day before, however.

On Friday Leno's staff were told they were not needed and may not be re-hired. One commented: "Some people were crying. Some people were screaming."

NBC has been airing repeats of The Tonight Show during the strike and has confirmed that it had "regretfully" told staff they were dismissed.