In a show of solidarity with the striking writers, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver have embarked on an innovative venture by launching a limited-run podcast.
Just a day prior to the official premiere on Tuesday, August 29th, the late-night talk show hosts unveiled a teaser for their podcast named "Strike Force Five." This creative endeavor, helmed by Colbert (59), Fallon (48), Kimmel (55), Meyers (49), and Oliver (46), is set to feature a minimum of 12 episodes. Each episode will be guided by a different host, steering the discussions.
All proceeds generated from the podcast, aptly titled "Strike Force Five," will be equitably distributed among the staff members of their respective shows - namely, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night With Seth Meyers, and Last Week Tonight With John Oliver.
A statement from Spotify elucidates, "[The podcast has transformed] into a series of uproarious and captivating conversations. Today, Colbert, Fallon, Kimmel, Meyers, and Oliver extend an invitation to listeners to eavesdrop on their formerly private dialogues through this fresh, all-original podcast."
Reports indicate that Fallon and Meyers, whose shows air on NBC, promptly compensated their staff with three weeks' salary when the shows were initially put on hold due to the writers' strike commencing in May. The hosts each contributed for the third week from their own pockets, having received remuneration equivalent to two weeks' earnings from NBC.
In the wake of their contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers falling through, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) officially initiated the strike in May.
