As pretty much everyone knows, NBC’s grand experiment, where Leno was given the 10 p.m. prime time slot Monday through Friday, was a bust. Leno’s ratings were so low that network affiliates questioned the move, with some contemplating replacing the NBC show with alternative programming rather than watch their audience go elsewhere.

You know the rest of the story. Conan O’Brien, who replaced David Letterman on “Late Night” when Letterman defected to rival network CBS, moved to California and the “Tonight Show.” Now, nine months after the move, Leno is back on “Tonight” and O’Brien is considering his options.

The big question is whether Leno can beat Letterman in the ratings. Leno triumphed over Letterman for 17 years, but since his departure last year for the greener pastures of prime time, Letterman has seen an upswing. The trick, of course, is holding on to those ratings now that Leno is back on “Tonight.”

One thing is for sure, the list of Leno’s musical guests during the first week of his return to the “Tonight Show” is impressive, beginning with Brad Paisley tonight and ending the week with Robin Thicke. In between, look for appearances by Adam Lambert, Avril Lavigne and Lifehouse. Meanwhile, Letterman hosts Ludacris tonight, Spoon on Thursday, and Corinne Bailey Rae on Friday. At this time the “Late Show” Web site does not list any musical guests for Tuesday and Wednesday.

But there’s plenty of music on the other programs, ranging from Josh Turner to Mumiy Troll to Silversun Pickups to Regina Spektor. You just gotta know where to look. Or, for that matter, which shows to DVR.

Monday, March 1
Daniel Merriweather – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Chris Hardwick, Randy and Jason Sklar – “Chelsea Lately”
Jamie Foxx, Brad Paisley – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Ludacris – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Josh Turner – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

Tuesday, March 2
Sarah Colonna, Jo Koy– “Chelsea Lately”
Adam Lambert – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Ludacris – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Mumiy Troll – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Phoenix – “Last Call with Carson Daly”

Wednesday, March 3
Matt Bruanger, Heather McDonald and Moshe Kasher – “Chelsea Lately”
Avril Lavigne, Chelsea Handler – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Erykah Badu – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Jet – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

Thursday, March 4
Jason Derulo – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Christina Pazsitzky, Guy Branum – “Chelsea Lately”
Lifehouse – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Spoon – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Silversun Pickups – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Galactic, Allen Toussaint – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

Friday, March 5
Lenny Kravitz – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
John Caparulo, Arden Myrin – “Chelsea Lately”
Robin Thicke – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Corinne Bailey Rae – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Joanna Newsom – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Regina Spektor – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”