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Seth Meyers reunited with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and John Oliver for a stunning Strike Force Five special. The late-night legends came together on May 11 at The Late Show to mark Colbert’s impending finale May 21. This marks the podcast’s triumphant return after three years dormant.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Reunion Date: May 11, 2026, all five hosts appeared on The Late Show
- Episode 13 Release: May 13 via YouTube, Spotify, and major podcast platforms
- Original Run: 2023 during writers strike, 12 episodes, revived for Colbert’s goodbye
- Charity Partnership: All proceeds benefit World Central Kitchen humanitarian nonprofit
Late-Night Legends Strike Again for Emotional Goodbye
Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and John Oliver surprised Stephen Colbert with an in-studio reunion on Monday night. The five late-night icons launched their podcast during the 2023 Hollywood strikes when studios shut down. Now they’re doing it again to honor Colbert’s 24-year run at the helm of The Late Show. The chemistry between them was instantly apparent and deeply genuine.
Colbert revealed the emotional weight of his departure, telling the group, “The rising tide of emotion has reached my chin.” His colleagues expressed genuine admiration. Jimmy Kimmel voiced his “outrage” about the cancellation, while Seth Meyers joked they’d continue the podcast after his exit. The entire segment felt like watching late-night TV royalty say goodbye to one of their most respected peers.
Seth Meyers reunites with Colbert, Fallon, Kimmel, Oliver for Strike Force Five special
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A Podcast That Born From Crisis Returns With Purpose
Strike Force Five started in May 2023 when the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes shut down every late-night show simultaneously. The quintet began meeting weekly on Zoom to discuss the crisis in candid, funny conversations. Their original run produced 12 beloved episodes that ended in October 2023 when the strikes were resolved. The podcast became a cultural phenomenon, proving that these five hosts had genuine chemistry beyond their respective networks.
Episode 13 marks a dramatic return. All revenue from this special supports World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit providing meals during humanitarian crises. This mirrors their original strike-era pledge to support out-of-work crews. The late-night community is rallying around Colbert during his final week, and the podcast serves as the perfect vessel for that tribute.
Behind-the-Scenes Revelations and Vulnerable Moments
| Topic | Colbert’s Insight |
| Guests Never Invited Back | “Probably not double figures,” referenced a Bush official who wouldn’t speak candidly on camera |
| Distractingly Attractive Guests | Named Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, Rebecca Ferguson, and Andrew Garfield |
| Post-Show Plans | Building a boat in basement (200-hour project) starting May 22 |
| Next Career Move | Already writing new Lord of the Rings movie, unsure what’s beyond that |
During the episode, Kimmel asked about staff transitions. Colbert revealed a sobering reality: “No one’s got a job after that night.” His entire staff must leave immediately after the May 21 finale airs. Kimmel chimed in with his own experience: “I’ve already packed my office.” The emotional honesty contrasted beautifully with the group’s trademark humor throughout the conversation.
What Viewers Loved About This Era of Late Night
Seth Meyers and company clearly respect Colbert‘s decades of excellence. The late-night landscape transformed dramatically since these five took their positions. Colbert at CBS, Meyers at NBC, Fallon at The Tonight Show, Kimmel at ABC, and Oliver with his HBO franchise created unprecedented competition and collaboration. They’ve occasionally dominated award ceremonies together, hosted massive events, and now gather one final time to celebrate Colbert’s legendary run.
The podcast era they pioneered also proved audiences craved authentic conversations between comedians. No celebrity guests, no scripted segments, just five brilliant minds discussing crisis, craft, and comedy. Episode 13 recaptures that magic at the exact moment it matters most for Colbert. The World Central Kitchen proceeds ensure this goodbye serves a bigger purpose than nostalgia.
Will Strike Force Five Ever Return After This Special Episode?
Seth Meyers joked that the group would continue their podcast “without” Colbert, hinting at future collaborations. However, the tone suggests Episode 13 may be the final chapter. The podcast was born during crisis and returns during Colbert’s crisis. What comes next remains a mystery, but the legacy is already cemented. These five late-night hosts proved that genuine friendship transcends network rivalries and time zones.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert concludes with its final episode on May 21, 2026. Both The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live will air reruns that night “out of deference” to Colbert’s sendoff. Strike Force Five Episode 13 is available now on YouTube, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Watch it, support World Central Kitchen, and celebrate one of late-night television’s most influential figures.
Sources
- Deadline Hollywood – Late-night hosts announce Strike Force Five special episode for Colbert finale
- USA Today – Strike Force Five podcast returns with Colbert’s emotional reflections
- Rolling Stone – Stephen Colbert reunites Strike Force Five to discuss late-night TV state
