NBC still wants to work with Leno, executive says

Contrary to popular perception, NBC is not putting Jay Leno out to pasture. "Jay is a workhorse," said NBC entertainment president Kevin Reilly. "He is tireless."

Conan O'Brien will inherit the stewardship of the network's vaunted "Tonight Show," now hosted by Leno, in 2009.

And Leno has been uncharacteristically closemouthed about the changeover, leading to some speculation that he may be less than comfortable with the decision.

"We never thought for a second that Jay was just going to start gardening," said Reilly on Friday in Pasadena, Calif. "We want him to continue."

Reilly said the network is talking to Leno about a continued role on the network beyond 2009, but he declined to offer any details.