Talk show hosts Kimmel, Colbert, Fallon, Oliver and Meyers launch 'Strike Force Five' podcast
The hosts of all major network late-night talk shows are coming together for a unique podcast benefiting their out-of-work writing staff.
On Wednesday, Spotify launched the podcast "Strike Force Five," which is hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and John Oliver. In the podcast, the talk show hosts focus on the Hollywood strikes and more.
Late-night shows were the first to go dark as a result of the Writers Guild of America strike in May.
According to a Spotify press release, "Strike Force Five" began as private meetings between the talk show hosts to discuss the strikes.
"Their idea was to meet up every week to discuss the serious issues a work stoppage creates," the press release stated. "What happened instead was was a series of hilarious and compelling conversations."
The proceeds from the new podcast will go to out-of-work writing staff from the hosts' respective shows, including, "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."
Thousands of WGA writers have been on strike since May due to a contract dispute that follows a decade-long shift to streaming, which the WGA said has slashed writer pay and worsened working conditions, according to a previous statement.
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or SAG-AFTRA, also began striking in July, following a dispute over compensation in light of an industry-wide shift toward streaming that has changed the way performers receive residuals or royalty payments.
Both strikes have brought activity in Hollywood to a halt.
ABC News' Max Zahn also contributed to this story.
