Stephen Colbert, the man who brought us The Late Show for years, is wrapping things up on May 21. But before he takes his final bow, he decided to gather his late-night brethren for a reunion that felt less like a farewell and more like a strategic summit. John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon all showed up, bringing back the legendary Strike Force Five.
Because apparently, that's where we are now: A group of late-night hosts needs a designated survivor (Jon Stewart, naturally) just in case the entire genre goes up in flames. Colbert himself dryly noted that "late night is in a bit of a weird spot right now." Which, if you've been paying any attention, is an understatement.
Officially, CBS canceled Colbert's show for "financial reasons." Unofficially, a significant chunk of the internet suspects it might have something to do with Colbert's consistent, shall we say, critiques of a certain former president. His recent monologue, dedicated to skewering said former president, probably didn't help calm those conspiracy theories.
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Start Your News DetoxKimmel, no stranger to presidential ire himself, pointed out the irony that fans hadn't canceled their Paramount Plus subscriptions after Colbert's cancellation was announced. This is the same Kimmel who was temporarily yanked off the air by Disney/ABC after conservative backlash over comments he made following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and who recently faced calls for cancellation from the former President himself after a "light roast" of Melania Trump. Because apparently, even presidential spouses have strong feelings about late-night jokes.
Meyers, ever the pragmatist, joked that he appreciated the former president always posted about the show when it actually aired. A true testament to the power of linear television, even in a world of streaming and TikTok.
The Return of the Strike Force Five
The episode had the familiar, chaotic energy of their Strike Force Five podcast. If you recall, the podcast was born during the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, a noble effort that saw its proceeds go to the staff of all five hosts' shows. A lovely bit of solidarity, really, proving that even millionaire comedians can be good eggs.
And because you can't keep a good, sarcastic quintet down, Colbert announced the Strike Force Five would reunite for an "emergency" video podcast on May 13. Because some things are just too absurd not to discuss, one last time.
