Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver are reuniting for a special video episode of their erstwhile podcast “Strike Force Five,” the quintet of late-night hosts announced during their joint appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” The new episode, which will be made available on May 13, is in honor of “The Late Show’s” impending series finale on May 21.
The reunion marks the end of an era. Colbert is leaving. The show is ending. And his four closest rivals — now friends — gathered to send him off.
The Strike That Brought Them Together
A limited-run podcast venture that first cropped up in 2023 at the height of the dual Hollywood strikes, “Strike Force Five” was a surefire hit with audiences, featuring five suddenly unemployed late-night staples having compelling conversations. As with the previous 12 installments, where revenue served to support the shows’ out-of-work staff, the new episode’s proceeds will benefit the World Central Kitchen, an international nonprofit that provides meals during humanitarian crises.
When the WGA strike began in May 2023, the quintet began meeting weekly on Zoom to grapple with the serious realities of a work stoppage, resulting in a spate of candid and funny chats. What started as a survival mechanism became a cultural phenomenon. Five competitors became collaborators.
Now, they are doing it again — but this time, the cause is not a strike. It is a farewell.
The Finale That Looms
Colbert’s departure from “The Late Show” after 11 years has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. He is the latest in a line of late-night giants to exit the stage, following David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Conan O’Brien. But unlike those transitions, Colbert’s departure feels different. There is no obvious successor. No clear future for the format.
During their joint appearance on Monday night’s “The Late Show,” Colbert hosted four of his “best television friends” for likely the last time before he goes off the air. “The five of us being here right now — obviously it’s dangerous, because we represent so much of late night,” Colbert said.
“Jon Stewart is designated survivor tonight,” he added. “Someone has to survive for the president to be mad at — and do our eulogies.”
Colbert tasked the group with making a case for late-night, as he said he’d been asked since cancellation. Jimmy Kimmel led the group in expressing his outrage that Colbert was “being thrown off the air.”
“I will tell you when I got knocked off the air for a few days, people canceled Disney+,” Kimmel said. “Why isn’t — why aren’t you people canceling Paramount+? Because you didn’t have it in the first place?”
John Oliver, ever the outsider, was blunter. “As someone from a different area of television, I can say it was some fresh bull-[expletive].”
Seth Meyers offered a different defense. “Well, if I were to make my case for late night, it’s that leaders of the free world are watching it.”
The Jokes That Couldn’t Be Ignored
The group’s appearance was not just sentimental. It was sharp. Colbert took aim at President Trump’s new 22-foot golden statue of himself at his Miami golf club.
“He’s also engaging in some recreational idolatry, because last week, Trump celebrated a new 22-foot golden statue of himself at his Miami golf club,” Colbert said.
He noted that the dedication was led by a MAGA pastor named Mark Burns, who posted about it afterward in a totally normal way, saying: “Let me say this plainly. This is not a golden calf.”
Colbert’s response was instant. “A little suspicious to deny worshiping false idols before anyone accuses you of it.”
Jon Stewart, who appeared in a separate segment, added, “But if I may say, it is a full-grown cow. That is a golden cow.”
Stewart then made a pointed joke about false idolatry and divine punishment. “If it was, God would probably be punishing us the same way he did in the Bible — with a plague. And I mean, that’s not happening,” Stewart said, referring to the hantavirus.
Colbert also joked about the statue’s utility in a future invasion. “Personally I’d recommend adding a couple handles to make it easier to pull down when we’re liberated by the Canadians.”
What Comes Next
The new “Strike Force Five” episode will be available on May 13 on Spotify, YouTube, and wherever podcasts are found. Proceeds will benefit World Central Kitchen.
Colbert’s final “Late Show” will air on May 21. After that, the five hosts will go their separate ways — Kimmel, Fallon, Meyers, and Oliver continuing their own shows, Colbert entering a new, uncertain chapter.
When Colbert suggested that, as a consolation prize, he could now appear as a guest on his friends’ shows, Kimmel said Colbert could host “Jimmy Kimmel Live” — not just in the summer, when he employs guest hosts so he can go on vacation, but “all year.” Fallon was also happy to invite Colbert on as, upon Colbert’s suggestion, his “Teri Garr; your Regis.”
“When would be helpful to you?” Colbert pressed, putting his friend on the spot.
“Take your time,” Fallon demurred, in jest. “Enjoy a little time off.”
The Bottom Line
Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver have reunited for a special “Strike Force Five” video episode to honor “The Late Show’s” upcoming series finale. The episode will be released on May 13, with proceeds benefiting World Central Kitchen. The quintet originally launched the podcast in 2023 during the Hollywood strikes, using revenue to support out-of-work staff.
During their joint appearance on “The Late Show,” the hosts defended the future of late-night television, joked about President Trump’s golden statue, and reflected on Colbert’s impending departure. Colbert’s final episode airs on May 21.
The strike brought them together. The end of an era is sending them off. And for one final episode, five of late-night’s biggest names are sharing the same stage.
