Stephen Colbert reunites “Strike Force Five” with Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers in a shocking farewell as The Late Show ends, moving Hollywood deeply.

A landmark moment in modern American late-night television unfolded as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert prepared for its final chapter, bringing together some of the most influential figures in the genre for a final on-air reunion of the informal “Strike Force Five” group.

On a recent episode, host Stephen Colbert welcomed fellow late-night figures Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon to the stage, reuniting the group that originally formed during the Writers Guild of America strike in 2023. The reunion, described by Colbert as bringing together “four of my best television friends and co-hosts of the awards-ignored podcast,” immediately set a playful and chaotic tone in front of a live audience.

Sitting together on the couch, the group revisited the origins of their collaborative podcast, which Kimmel explained was born during a period of industry disruption. “Strike Force Five is and always will be a group of five individuals who went on strike along with their writers, who were paying their writers,” he said. “So we did a podcast that paid a tiny portion of that. We did 12 episodes.”

The conversation quickly shifted from nostalgia to reflection on the state of late-night television. Colbert introduced the idea of discussing its future in 2026, asking each host to defend the relevance of the format at a time when traditional television faces increasing competition from streaming platforms and online media.

Kimmel responded by pointing to audience numbers across multiple platforms, arguing that late-night content continues to attract significant viewership when accounting for digital distribution. “Look at the figures. The fact of the matter is, more people are watching late-night television now than, and I know everybody gets crazy, when Johnny Carson was on,” he said. He added that when considering YouTube and other platforms, the numbers “add up.”

He also referenced a past controversy involving corporate reactions to on-air comments, saying that audience behavior can still influence major entertainment companies. “When ABC parent company Walt Disney took me off air in 2025 for comments he made about the killing of Charlie Kirk, people canceled Disney+ in protest,” Kimmel said, using the example to highlight the perceived power of viewer engagement.

Kimmel further joked about the absence of similar reactions toward other media platforms, adding, “Why aren't you people canceling Paramount+? Because you didn't have it in the first place?”

Jimmy Fallon also weighed in, emphasizing the emotional and cultural role of late-night programming. “Late night is one of those things that has been around our whole lives. It's part of our lives,” he said. “People want to go to sleep having a good laugh, and go to bed happy.”

The discussion also turned toward the political visibility of late-night television, particularly its relationship with public figures and the scrutiny it receives from political leadership. Meyers observed that even high-profile critics, including former President Donald Trump, remain regular viewers of late-night broadcasts despite publicly criticizing them.

“You know what's even weirder? We're doing a job that his wife has strong feelings about,” Kimmel added, referencing past controversies involving First Lady Melania Trump and on-air jokes made during his show.

Meyers remarked on the irony of political leaders engaging with the format while simultaneously condemning it publicly, saying, “I appreciate that he is watching linear television. If I would make my case for late night, it's that leaders of the free world are watching it when it airs.”

The tone of the reunion remained comedic but reflective, as the hosts acknowledged both the longevity and uncertainty of their industry. Fallon summarized the sentiment by noting that audiences still value the ritual of nightly entertainment delivered at a consistent hour, even as viewing habits evolve rapidly.

The conversation also touched on the unusual public scrutiny late-night hosts face, including reactions from political figures and their families. Kimmel referred to past backlash involving jokes about public figures, while Meyers and Oliver added commentary on the increasingly interconnected nature of media, politics, and social response through platforms like social media and group chats among the hosts themselves.

Despite the serious undertones, the episode maintained its comedic rhythm, with the group frequently breaking into humor about their shared experiences in television. The reunion underscored the close personal relationships formed among the hosts over years of competing yet parallel careers in late-night programming.

As the segment progressed, Colbert guided the conversation toward lighter territory, including humorous confessions from the hosts. Kimmel admitted to kissing television icon Regis Philbin, while Colbert listed several notable figures he had shared lighthearted romantic moments with over the years, including Helen Mirren, Sally Field, Allison Janney, Jeff Daniels, and Andrew Garfield. He also jokingly recounted an unexpected interaction involving Jane Fonda.

The segment concluded with a group acknowledgment of the unique bond formed among the late-night hosts, many of whom have spent years navigating similar professional pressures while maintaining individual shows across competing networks. The camaraderie was evident as the group ended the segment with a collective embrace at Colbert’s desk, symbolizing both the end of an era and the continuity of their shared history.

The moment also highlighted the broader uncertainty surrounding the future of traditional late-night television. While digital platforms continue to reshape audience consumption habits, figures like Colbert, Kimmel, Fallon, Oliver, and Meyers continue to argue that the format retains cultural significance, particularly as a shared nightly experience.

As the final days of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert approach its concluding broadcast, the reunion of “Strike Force Five” served as both a celebration of the genre’s legacy and a reflection on its evolving place within modern entertainment.

The episode ultimately reinforced a central theme shared among the hosts: despite changes in technology, platforms, and audience behavior, the desire for humor, commentary, and connection at the end of the day remains a constant in American television culture.