• Los Angeles Times, Thursday, October 1, 2009 10:10 PM

ABC and CBS are discouraging their stars from appearing on comedian Jay Leno's NBC prime-time talk show. The rival networks are hoping to stop Leno's 10 p.m. program from undercutting viewership of their costly dramas as they are trying to build audiences.

The boycott reveals an unintended consequence of NBC's decision to move the veteran late-night comedian; it is now harder for Leno to book some TV stars that could boost his ratings. Leno mentioned the boycott Tuesday when Julia Louis-Dreyfus became the first CBS actor to appear on his new show. Louis-Dreyfus acknowledged that she faced some resistance, but said she wanted to honor her commitment because she and Leno were longtime friends.

There is little indication that writers and actors beyond those on ABC and CBS have been avoiding Leno's show. Several other TV networks, particularly Fox and HBO, are actually encouraging their talent to appear as guests on the prime-time talk show.

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