NBC's rationalization is that the talk shows are a LOT cheaper to produce than a series show.

I think they're nickle and diming themselves to death. They'll have FOUR talk shows in a row (interrupted only by the nightly local news).

It used to be that the "Tonight Show" was NBC's biggest money maker (certainly when Johnny Carson was hosting).

I think having Leno do this is a waste of his time and doomed for a quick failure.