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Seth Meyers and late-night’s biggest names just pulled off a surprise. The Strike Force Five reunited on Monday evening for an emotional tribute to Stephen Colbert‘s historic final days. Now, a brand-new special video episode drops tomorrow, honoring the legendary 11-season run.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Reunion Date: Strike Force Five taped May 11, 2026 at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
- Video Release: May 13, 2026, available across all podcast platforms and streaming services
- Episode Count: This marks the 13th Strike Force Five episode since the 2023 WGA strike
- Colbert Finale: The Late Show ends May 21, 2026 after 11 seasons on CBS
When Strike Force Five Reunited for Late-Night History
Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver, and host Stephen Colbert gathered on stage last night for a rare five-way reunion.
The group originally bonded during the 2023 Hollywood writers’ strike, when they launched the Strike Force Five podcast as an act of solidarity. That grassroots project became a phenomenon, drawing millions of listeners weekly. Tonight’s reunion marks the first in-person gathering of all five late-night titans in three years.
Seth Meyers joins late-night hosts for Strike Force Five special video episode honoring Colbert’s finale
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What the New Special Video Episode Reveals
The team announced an emergency 13th episode dropping tomorrow, May 13, 2026. Unlike prior audio-only podcast releases, this marks the first official video version of Strike Force Five content.
According to reports, the episode captures the reunion taping in its entirety, complete with behind-the-scenes moments, laugh-out-loud banter, and emotional tributes to Colbert’s 11-season journey. The release coincides with his final week on The Late Show, scheduling the video drop exactly eight days before his May 21 series finale.
The Late Show’s Final Week Lineup
| Guest | Role | Format |
| Seth Meyers | Late-night host | In-person reunion |
| Jimmy Fallon | Late-night host | In-person reunion |
| Jimmy Kimmel | Late-night host | In-person reunion + rerun on finale |
| John Oliver | Late-night host | In-person reunion |
“Expect big names and inside jokes as the show nears its end.”
— Multiple sources reporting on the Strike Force Five reunion
Why This Reunion Matters for Late-Night Television
The Strike Force Five represents an unprecedented moment in late-night history. For three consecutive years, these five hosts maintained an alliance, recorded together, and built a community that transcended their individual networks and time slots.
Colbert’s decision to bring them all together for his series finale underscores that bond. It signals gratitude, friendship, and shared respect across the traditionally competitive world of late-night talk. Meyers, who hosts NBC’s Late Night, has been vocal about the significance of the Strike Force Five platform, often crediting it with uniting late-night comedians during a turbulent industry moment.
Will the Strike Force Five Launch More Projects After Colbert’s Finale?
The 13th episode announcement opens a tantalizing question about the group’s future. While Strike Force Five was born from crisis (the 2023 strike), this reunion-turned-video-special suggests the group may continue beyond May 21.
None of the five hosts have publicly confirmed new Strike Force Five projects. However, the decision to film a special video release for streaming indicates they’re thinking bigger than just audio. Late-night observers wonder what comes next.
Sources
- Deadline – Late-night hosts announce Strike Force Five special video episode honoring The Late Show finale
- LateNighter – Strike Force Five reunited to record 13th podcast episode released May 13
- Bergen Record – Colbert reunites Strike Force Five in rare Late Show sendoff featuring Fallon, Kimmel, Meyers, and Oliver
