Cracks in the Writers Guild Wall : ‘Tonight Show’ Breaks Ranks; Carson Will Write Monologue, Introductions

Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show,” which has been in re-runs since the writers’ strike began two months ago, will resume taping May 11 despite the strike, the late-night entertainer said Tuesday.

The surprise move apparently dealt a blow to the striking Writers Guild of America, which has hoped to force a settlement in the strike by keeping popular TV shows off the air.

Carson will write his own opening monologue and introductions “for the time being,” according to a statement issued by his production company. A Carson spokeswoman declined to say whether the show planned to hire any writers in connection with the resumption.

Carson’s announcement came after 10 weeks of negotiations between the entertainer’s representatives and the guild failed to secure an independent contract covering writers for the long-running NBC talk show.

In his statement, Carson said: “It appears we have exhausted every possibility of reaching an agreement even though countless attempts were made. There are numerous ‘Tonight Show’ staff members, many have been with us for over 20 years, who are in danger of losing their jobs if this strike goes on much longer. I can’t let that happen.”

Guild spokeswoman Cheryl Rhoden said Carson’s decision to write for himself wouldn’t violate guild strike rules, since a performer writing for himself in an ongoing show is covered by a separate agreement with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

In a statement, the writers’ union said: “The guild and (Carson’s production company) have had six negotiating sessions since March 23. Our last meeting was April 28. The two chief negotiators have continued discussions as recently as this morning (Tuesday). We anticipate resumption of negotiations. We’re ready and willing to keep negotiating.”

The 9,000-member guild launched a strike on March 7 against 200 production companies represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Since then, the guild has talked separately with about 80 of the companies, primarily small, independent producers, about separate contracts. But it has generally declined to sign such contracts unless enough agreements could be negotiated to guarantee a large number of writers work.

Ed Hookstratten, an attorney for Carson, said that Carson Tonight Inc., which produces the “Tonight Show,” had agreed to “almost 100%” of the union’s contract conditions, but was informed by the guild that no contract would be signed until it had enough separate deals to guarantee work for a minimum of 10% of the guild’s members.

“I am stupefied by the WGA’s apparent lack of desire to negotiate in good faith,” Hookstratten said.

Last week, CBS announced that it expected to delay the opening of the fall TV season until at least late October because of the strike. Many prime-time TV series ended their seasons early this year because they lacked scripts, and the production of some feature films may be threatened if the strike continues for another several weeks, studio sources have said.

Times staff writer Deborah Caulfield contributed to this story.