Business Notes ENTERTAINMENT

It seems pretty certain he can read, but can Johnny write? Fans of Johnny Carson will find out this week when the Tonight Show's host returns to the air with monologues he has written himself. The strike by the Writers Guild has idled the staff of eight that normally produces Carson's jokes, and only reruns of the talk show have appeared since March 8. Though the strike goes on, Carson said he will write his own material because he is determined to get the show back into production and keep the rest of his employees from losing their paychecks.

The new assignment may be an arduous one for Carson, who has not written in years, and is famous for his three-day workweek and lengthy vacations. To ease the load, the show will do without the familiar skits. So while Johnny is back, Carnac the Magnificent may be out for the duration.