Late-Night TV Hosts Launch Podcast To Pay Staff, Raise Awareness For SAG-AFTRA Strike

Late-night television is taking a hit amid the ongoing strikes in Hollywood.

However, hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver are turning the crisis into an opportunity for dialogue and charity.

What Happened: The comedy pals launched a new podcast series called “Strike Force Five” on Wednesday. Hosted on Spotify Technology SA's (NYSE:SPOT) Megaphone, the show will be supported by T-Mobile Us Inc's (NASDAQ:TMUS) Mint Mobile and Diageo.

All proceeds go to the out-of-work staff from the hosts' respective shows.

The podcast will feature each host as a rotating moderator. Topics will include the ongoing Hollywood strikes, the impact on late-night television, and the challenges faced by the industry.

Spotify said that the podcast would be available across most major platforms and run for at least twelve episodes.

Read Also: Double Strike In Hollywood – Actors And Writers Unite In Work Stoppage

Why It Matters: The ongoing strikes have had a cascade effect on the industry, as high-profile movies and TV shows, including "Challengers" starring Zendaya, and Quentin Tarantino’s next movie, "The Movie Critic," have announced delays in their release dates.

The strikes, which began in early May, have seen members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) demand better pay and working conditions, higher residuals, and protections against the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in replicating performances.

The "Strike Force Five" podcast is an ode to collective action and solidarity in navigating the challenges posed by the ongoing strikes.

It is a call to action for others in the industry to step up and support those affected by the dispute.

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