Late Night Hosts Unite For A Podcast About The WGA/SAG Strikes

By Andrew Sanford | TV | August 30, 2023 |

By Andrew Sanford | TV | August 30, 2023 |

Producers in Hollywood still refuse to offer writers and actors a fair deal. Because of the AMPTP’s stubbornness, projects in both film and television have been shut down. Late-night shows were some of the first to shutter. Since then, five late-night hosts have held a weekly Zoom call to check in with each other. Now, those conversations will make their way out into the world.

Starting today, a podcast called Strike Force Five premieres. It is co-hosted by Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, and Jimmys Kimmel and Fallon. Proceeds from the podcast, which streams exclusively on Spotify, will go to the staffers of the respective hosts. It’s a win-win. The hosts get to work out their sillies, and their staff members get paid.

Personally, the only downside to me about this project is that it is on Spotify. I’m still lamenting the slow death of Stitcher (for those keeping track, it was supposed to die last night, but as of this writing, I can still use it). I’m also someone who still buys music on iTunes. If I want to listen to a song I don’t own, I look it up on YouTube. I’ve never needed Spotify, and that likely won’t change now. My guess is that Spotify is the only way this project becomes profitable, so I’ll put it in the “necessary evil” category.

The true joy is seeing that this podcast grew out of a genuine friendship. The hosts having weekly Zooms is sweet. A person of color among their ilk would be nice, but that’s a bigger ongoing conversation. There was a time when late-night hosts were competitive and mean. That time is long gone, but its legacy is real. Books were written, movies were made, and everyone still blames Jay Leno. Now, it’s a time for peace.

The podcast is set to only go for 12 episodes, and hopefully, it doesn’t extend beyond that. I want the AMPTP to come to their senses. Until then, we can bask in the hilarity of five people who have likely been at home driving their families crazy. Conan’s clan realized a podcast was an answer to that problem long ago.