Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver—the late-night crew that became known as Strike Force Five—came together this week for an emotional reunion on The Late Show, marking a full-circle moment as Colbert prepares to sign off from CBS after more than a decade.

The gathering harkened back to their 2023 podcast, launched during the Hollywood writers’ strike as a way to support crews left without work. Now, with Colbert’s final episode set for May 21, the five hosts took to the Ed Sullivan Theater stage on May 11 to reflect on their shared journey and the changing landscape of late-night television.

How It All Started

The Strike Force Five podcast debuted in August 2023 as a limited Spotify series born out of crisis. While the WGA strike shut down production across late-night—affecting shows like The Late Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show, Late Night, and Last Week Tonight—the hosts decided to turn their downtime into something meaningful. They rotated hosting duties over at least a dozen episodes, swapping industry stories and humor while funneling all proceeds to affected crew members.

What began as a charitable venture quickly resonated with listeners, becoming an unlikely hit that showcased the genuine camaraderie between competitors.

A Special Send-Off

During their reunion, the hosts spoke candidly about the evolution of late-night television and its uncertain future. A special “emergency episode” of the podcast is set to drop May 13, bringing back the unfiltered chemistry that made the original series so compelling.

The reunion has struck a chord with fans who’ve watched late-night undergo seismic shifts—from show cancellations to the streaming wars. For many, Strike Force Five represents a rare moment of authentic collaboration in an industry defined by competition.