NEW YORK — NBC’s two late-night franchises are coming back. Will the laughs come with them?

Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien plan a Jan. 2 return with fresh episodes, ending two months of reruns brought on by the writers’ strike, the network said Monday. But until the strike is settled, the hosts will be on their own.

By forging ahead without joke writers, can late-night TV keep from stepping on toes — and still be funny?

“I will make clear, on the program, my support for the writers and I’ll do the best version of ‘Late Night’ I can under the circumstances,” O’Brien said in a written statement. “Of course, my show will not be as good. In fact, in moments it may very well be terrible.”

Both NBC hosts indicated it was a tortuous decision for them to come back, torn by their support for the writers and knowledge that several dozen other staff members would be laid off if the shows remained dark. Some of the late-night stars covered employees’ salaries during the holiday season.

Leno said with talks breaking down and no further negotiations scheduled, he felt it was his responsibility to get his 100 nonwriting staff members back to work.

Mike Sweeney, chief of the “Late Night” staff of 14 writers, said “we all know what a difficult position Conan is in. He’s been incredibly supportive of us.”

Sweeney said he didn’t want to comment on his boss’ decision to come back without the writers, and the Writers Guild of America had no immediate comment about NBC’s announcement.

The WGA is talking about a separate deal with David Letterman’s production company so his CBS show can return with its writers.