Jay Leno is trying to ease the blow after laying off some 80 Tonight Show staffers Friday.

He will pay their entire salaries at least through next week, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Though Leno had assured his staff job security throughout the ongoing writers' strike, he shocked them at a Friday staff meeting when they were told they were being laid off. They were also told there were no guarantees they would get their jobs back once broadcasting resumes.

"Some people were crying. Some people were screaming," one employee said.

Executive producer Debbie Vickers began calling laid-off employees to give them the new salary news Saturday, according to the Reporter, and is expected to continue making calls throughout today.

source: people.com