Carson Signs Deal With NBC for New Shows : Television: Former ‘Tonight’ host will originate programs, including specials in which he will star.

Less than two months after he retired as host of “The Tonight Show,” Johnny Carson has signed a new contract with NBC, network Entertainment President Warren Littlefield announced during the weekend.

Littlefield said Saturday that Carson, who left “Tonight” after 30 years in an emotional farewell May 22, has agreed to an exclusive “multi-year contract” in which he would “star in and/or develop a variety of original programs.” Carson’s company will produce the shows.

It is understood that the contract is for two years--Carson’s usual pattern with NBC in the past--and that the programs will include specials in which he would star.

“Our appetite for Johnny Carson is huge,” Littlefield told the nation’s TV columnists at the Century Plaza hotel during their semi-annual press tour.

Littlefield said that he “sleeps better at night” knowing that Carson is in NBC’s camp again. He added that “John has not decided exactly what he wants to do” but that he “has decided he wants to do it at NBC. . . . We are thrilled to have Johnny back ‘home’ with NBC.”

The NBC entertainment chief gave a vote of confidence to Carson’s successor on “Tonight,” Jay Leno. “We’re thrilled with what Jay is doing,” he said.

But Littlefield indicated that there were still problems in ascertaining whether David Letterman will remain at NBC after expiration of his contract next April.

“We want him to continue,” Littlefield said, but he declined to discuss details of any possible negotiations. “Dave is a very tough guy to read,” he said.

Littlefield also announced that “Saturday Night Live’s” Dana Carvey, rumored to be a candidate as a late-night host if Letterman leaves, has signed “an exclusive long-term deal” with NBC that will include a series. He said Carvey will remain with “Saturday Night Live” at least through the November elections.

In other announcements, Littlefield said Henry Winkler will also star in a new comedy series, John Candy will appear in a group of one-hour specials, and the network has acquired the network rights to such motion pictures as “Batman Returns,” “JFK,” “The Addams Family,” “Star Trek VI,” “Wayne’s World,” “Doc Hollywood,” “Thelma & Louise,” “Russia House,” “Bugsy,” “The Fisher King” and “The Prince of Tides.”

Littlefield said that NBC will have its 1992-93 season premieres of “Seinfeld,” “Blossom” and “I Witness Video” in August, rather than the traditional month of September, and that a new series, “Secret Service,” about the federal agency, will also have its debut in August.

Asked about the recurring rumor that NBC is up for sale, Littlefield said: “I’m not allowed to comment on it.”