Leno To Stay At NBC

He may be departing The Tonight Show, but Jay Leno will be staying put at NBC.

The network has signed the comedian to a new contract, which will give him a talk show that will air during the 10 p.m. hour.

This commitment comes after a dismal fall season which compelled NBC to cut back on their prime-time hours.

Leno's show will be taking over the slot once given to smash series like ER and Law and Order.

"This is a really smart move," an insider told RADAR. "Not only does this keep Leno from going to the competition where he could hurt them, but it gives NBC another hour of programming that costs way less than the average $3 to $4 million of dramatic series. Plus, if there's an actor's strike, Leno won't be affected."

The show will be based in Burbank, Calif. where the Tonight Show is taped, so he won't even have to motorcycle to a different studio.