Late-Night Hosts Announce New ‘Strike Force Five’ Special Video Episode In Honor Of ‘Late Show’ Finale – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pixabay)
Five of the most recognizable faces in late-night television gathered on the set of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to share an unexpected update. The group used the occasion to announce a new video installment of their podcast Strike Force Five. The timing aligns with the approaching conclusion of Colbert’s long-running program, giving the reunion a sense of closure and camaraderie.
The Announcement Unfolds on Air
The hosts chose a joint appearance on Colbert’s show as the platform for their news. During the segment, they revealed plans for an emergency video episode that would reunite the full lineup. The moment carried a lighthearted tone, reflecting the easy rapport the five comedians have maintained even as their individual schedules keep them apart.
Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel later amplified the news on Instagram with a simple post that read “Emergency @strikeforcefive episode loading! ⚡.” The message quickly signaled to fans that the long-dormant podcast was returning in a new format for this one occasion.
Who Makes Up the Group
The five participants represent a cross-section of network and cable late-night programming. Their combined experience spans decades of nightly monologues, celebrity interviews, and political satire. The lineup includes:
- Stephen Colbert of The Late Show
- Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show
- Jimmy Kimmel of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
- Seth Meyers of Late Night
- John Oliver of Last Week Tonight
Each host brings a distinct style, yet the podcast has historically allowed them to step outside their usual formats and speak more freely among peers.
What the Special Episode Will Offer
The upcoming installment will be released as a video rather than the audio-only episodes that defined the original run. This change opens the door for viewers to see the hosts interact in real time instead of simply hearing their voices. The episode is framed explicitly as a tribute to the end of The Late Show, giving it a reflective quality that earlier installments did not carry.
Because the podcast had been inactive for some time, the return feels like a deliberate pause in the usual late-night competition. The hosts appear to be using the platform to acknowledge a shared professional milestone rather than to generate new material for their individual programs.
A Quiet Nod to Changing Times
The decision to mark the finale of one show with a group project underscores how rare such cross-network collaborations have become. Late-night television has long operated in a competitive environment, yet these five hosts have occasionally set that aside for joint efforts. The special episode serves as a reminder that personal connections can persist even when ratings and network priorities pull in different directions.
With the video format and the tribute framing, the episode is likely to draw attention from both longtime podcast listeners and viewers who follow the individual shows. Its release will coincide with the final weeks of Colbert’s tenure, offering a collective send-off that feels personal rather than purely promotional.
