Talk Show Bookings Get Back to Normal; Fey to Host Feb. 23 ‘SNL’

By Michele Greppi

With no more Writers Guild of America picket lines to get in the way, guest lists on all the late-night talk shows are beginning to sprout celebrities without media family connections. They also are beginning to announce guest lists a week at a time, instead of keeping them secret to protect guests from possible harassment by strike supporters.

NBC’s New York-based “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” will feature Ryan Reynolds, who is making the publicity rounds in support of the romantic comedy “Definitely, Maybe,” and previously booked “Today” co-anchor Matt Lauer. Musical guest is Simple Plan.

“Saturday Night Live” won’t go live until Feb. 23, when “30 Rock” creator Tina Fey, fresh off the WGA picket lines, will host the first of four new shows in a row. There was no word Wednesday morning about the musical guest for Feb. 23.

“The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” tonight will stick with the lineup it had booked before the strike was ended: frequent guest Joan Embry with animals, Larry the Cable Guy and musical act Mika, according to a representative, who said a longer bookings list might be released this afternoon.

Both of Comedy Central’s talk shows, which came back without their still-striking writers in early January, are scheduled to be dark the weeks of Feb. 18 and Feb. 25. “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” and “The Colbert Report” are due to feature authors on Wednesday and Thursday. Stephen Colbert’s author on Thursday happens to be a celebrity: actor Leonard Nimoy.

11:15: Added fourth, fifth paragraphs