The hosts behind Strike Force Five are officially getting back together. Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver have announced a brand-new video episode of their hit podcast ahead of the upcoming finale of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The special episode will premiere on May 13, just days before Colbert’s late-night show signs off on May 21.

“Emergency @strikeforcefive episode loading!” Colbert and Kimmel teased in a joint Instagram post, confirming the reunion shortly after the five comedians appeared together on The Late Show. The announcement immediately sparked excitement among fans who followed the podcast during the Hollywood strikes in 2023.

Originally launched during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA work stoppages, Strike Force Five brought together five of television’s biggest late-night personalities for weekly candid conversations over Zoom. The limited-run podcast became an unexpected success, blending comedy with honest discussions about the industry shutdown and the changing television landscape.

Like the original run, the proceeds from the upcoming episode will support a charitable cause. Revenue generated from the special will benefit the nonprofit organization World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to communities impacted by humanitarian crises around the world. Fans will be able to stream the episode on Spotify, YouTube, and other podcast platforms.

The reunion arrives at an emotional moment for late-night television as Colbert prepares to close the curtain on his long-running CBS program.

Why is CBS cancelling Stephen Colbert’s show after a decade?

CBS has maintained that ending The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was a business move rather than a reflection of the host or the program’s popularity. Network executives reportedly described the decision as a financial necessity tied to the current state of late-night television, despite the show continuing to perform strongly with audiences.

The broader late-night industry has been facing growing economic pressure in recent years. Declining linear TV ratings and shrinking advertising revenue have made traditional formats harder to sustain, especially productions involving large staffs, live studio audiences, house bands, and expensive daily operations. As viewing habits continue shifting toward streaming and digital platforms, networks are increasingly reassessing the long-term viability of legacy late-night franchises.

Stephen Colbert’s final stretch on The Late Show has already become a major television event, with fellow hosts rallying around him for special appearances and tributes. David Letterman is also expected to appear during the farewell week, adding another layer of significance to the show’s conclusion.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Kimmel recently revealed that his own program would air a rerun on May 21 out of respect for Colbert’s final episode, underscoring the close bond shared among today’s biggest late-night personalities.

What are your thoughts on the return of Strike Force Five and the end of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Karishma Dasgupta

Edited by

Aliza Siddiqui