Stephen Colbert reunited with Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver for a new Strike Force Five podcast episode discussing late-night TV and the upcoming end of The Late Show.
The late-night comedy world reunited for an emotional and hilarious conversation as Stephen Colbert welcomed fellow hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver back together for a reunion of their hit podcast Strike Force Five.
The reunion took place on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and quickly became a candid discussion about the changing landscape of late-night television, as well as the upcoming conclusion of Colbert’s long-running CBS program later this month.
Jimmy Kimmel Pushes Colbert to Speak Out
During the conversation, the hosts reflected on their friendship, the podcast’s origins during the 2023 Hollywood writers strike, and the uncertain future of traditional late-night television.
At one point, Colbert asked if there was any topic they had not yet discussed. Kimmel immediately jumped in with a blunt response about the cancellation of Colbert’s show.
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“The outrage that your show is being thrown off the air? How about that?” Kimmel said, encouraging Colbert to show more frustration about the situation.
Kimmel jokingly added that he wanted to see “angry Stephen” finally emerge on camera.
Colbert responded in his trademark thoughtful style, comparing himself to the “nougat filling” between the other hosts, who he described as the “candy shell” of late-night television. His metaphor highlighted the unusual timing of his departure, considering the other hosts will continue with their own programs after his show ends.
Kimmel then lightened the mood with another joke, saying the cancellation felt “like when your young wife dies — gone too soon.”
Jimmy Fallon Calls the Ending “Odd”
Jimmy Fallon also expressed disappointment about how Colbert’s run is ending.
“I think it’s odd the way it ended for you,” Fallon admitted during the conversation. “And it’s a bummer because I wanted to do this longer with you.”
Colbert acknowledged that he too was surprised by the situation, while John Oliver delivered one of the night’s sharpest lines by describing the entire scenario as “some fresh bullshit.”
The emotional honesty from the hosts reflected how deeply connected the group has become over the years despite competing in the same television space.
Late-Night Television Faces a Changing Era
The discussion also explored the uncertain future of late-night television itself.
Fallon spoke nostalgically about growing up watching legends like Johnny Carson and believing late-night TV was simply part of everyday life.
“It’s been around our whole lives,” Fallon said. “I never thought it was a job growing up. I just thought Johnny Carson came with the television set.”
He added that audiences still value comedy at the end of the day, saying people want “to go to sleep having a good laugh and go to bed happy.”
The conversation touched on how audience habits have shifted dramatically in recent years due to streaming platforms, social media clips, YouTube highlights, and changing viewing patterns. While traditional late-night television once dominated nightly entertainment, the format now faces intense competition for viewers’ attention.
Even so, the camaraderie between Colbert, Kimmel, Fallon, Meyers, and Oliver showed why these hosts continue to maintain loyal fan bases.
How Strike Force Five Started
The Strike Force Five podcast originally launched during the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, when late-night productions shut down because writers walked off the job.
With their shows temporarily halted, the hosts began meeting regularly over Zoom to discuss the strike, their staffs, and the future of their productions. Those conversations eventually evolved into the podcast.
Importantly, the project was designed to help support employees affected by the strike. Proceeds from the podcast benefited staff members working on the hosts’ late-night shows, many of whom were suddenly left without work during the industry shutdown.
The podcast quickly became a fan favorite because it offered audiences a rare behind-the-scenes look at the personalities behind late-night television. Instead of scripted monologues and polished interviews, listeners heard genuine conversations, jokes, frustrations, and friendships.
Over its original run, the podcast released 12 episodes and even featured a surprise appearance from Jon Stewart.
Emergency Episode Coming Soon
Fans of the podcast will not have to wait long for more content.
The hosts announced that a “special emergency episode” of Strike Force Five is set to release soon. While details remain limited, the episode is expected to focus heavily on Colbert’s departure and the evolving state of late-night entertainment.
For longtime viewers, the reunion served as both a celebration and a reminder of how much the late-night landscape has changed over the years. While uncertainty surrounds the future of the format, the chemistry between these five hosts proved that audiences still value authentic humor, friendship, and conversation.
As Colbert prepares to close an important chapter in late-night television, the Strike Force Five reunion reminded fans why this generation of hosts became such a major part of American pop culture.
