DeGeneres will work through writers strike

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Ellen DeGeneres is continuing work on her U.S. television talk-show, despite the current Writers Guild of America strike.

"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Show with David Letterman" and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" have all gone dark since the walkout started Monday.

DeGeneres offered the audience at Friday's taping an explanation, not her customary monologue, People.com reported.

"It's sweeps," DeGeneres said, "Which is a very important time in television because that's when you do your best shows, your funniest material. You pull it out and do everything you can because you want everybody watching. And now we're in the middle of a strike -- a writer's strike."

She admitted it was "strange" to be doing the show and tried to fill the extra time in the segment by dancing.

DeGeneres also mentioned her decision on air Thursday.

"I love my writers. I love them. In honor of them today, I'm not going to do a monologue," she was quoted as saying. "(But) people have traveled across the country. They've made plans. They're here. I want to do everything I can to make your trip enjoyable and give you a show."