At the start of a new year, most people hope for continued health, more money, true love, and a bunch of other stuff that didn’t happen last year and won’t happen in 2009. Nonetheless, the real reason to look forward to the new year is the return of new performances on the talk show circuit after some barren weeks in December.

Granted, there’s not a ton of new stuff this week, but some is better than none. And Leno really steals the spotlight for his schizophrenic booking, which is a little bit hipster and a little bit mtvU.

Here’s your Late Night Lobotomy.

Mon—T-Pain*
Wed—Gabe Dixon Band
Thurs—Lenka
Fri—Zac Brown Band

Mon—Doyle & Debbie
Tues—Bang Camaro
Wed–TBA
Thurs—Lady Antebellum
Fri–TBA

Mon—Iron & Wine
Tues—Pussycat Dolls
Thurs—Lady Gaga
Fri—Eagles of Death Metal

Mon–Glasvegas
Tues—Erin McCarley
Wed–Okkervil River

Tue—Little Joy
Thurs—Asher Roth
Fri—Yelle*

Wed—William Shatner

* = Repeat Episode

Stay tuned, folks!