With all the struggles NBC late night is having these days, I feel obligated to help the major TV networks with the terrible financial troubles they’re currently suffering. Clearly, no one has been affected more by the economic recession.

Here are the top 6 ways to save when putting a late night talk show together.

6. Hire an Impersonator

Hire a Jimmy Kimmel impersonator to impersonate Jay Leno. They’re cheaper than a Leno impersonator and probably funnier, too.

5. Distribute it Online

No one actually watches late night talk shows anymore. They only watch the YouTube clips from the shows. Just get a Flip camcorder, a desk, and a couch. You’ll save on production costs and your show will be on Hulu in no time.

4. Find Johnny Carson DNA

Did you see the 60 Minutes special on raising the extinct? With the huge, multi-million dollar contracts that Letterman, Conan, Leno, Fallon, and Kimmel receive, it seems financially more efficient to resurrect Johnny. Pay him the 1980s salary his brain DNA will expect. If he balks, remind him that, technically speaking, bringing him back to life was ‘giving him a raise.’

3. Contact Kramer

Rumor has it, he still has the old Merv Griffin set. Plus, he’s had some trouble finding good roles recently. Cheap talent, with famous friends.

Gitty-up!

2. Wait for March

Do what all startups do. Wait for the going-out-of business liquidations. My rumor sources say if you can wait until March to launch your new late night talk show, you will find some real bargains on video equipment, sets, studios, and even gently used late night comedians.

1. Cannibalize Your Own Talent

TV executives everywhere are just realizing the power of pitting network talent against each other, instead of helping them to really take on their competition on other networks. Some might see this as foolish, but look at the financial sense this makes. You get a brief flurry of increased ratings, which is good for profits, then you save on payroll when flustered talent leaves your network. This is also good for profits.

Hey, everyone’s replaceable, right?

Kinda.