Late Night TV Returns Post-WGA Strike

Late-night television shows have returned after a five-month hiatus caused by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. A deal between the WGA and major Hollywood studios paved the way for the shows’ resumption. However, the hosts, including Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel, now face a challenge in securing guests due to ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes by Hollywood actors.

The late-night landscape in this post-strike, post-COVID, and post-Trump indictments era has been marked by an outpouring of support for the WGA, humor at the former President Trump’s expense, and efforts to condense five months of news into tightly-scripted monologues. The return of the late-night shows has been a joyous moment for both the hosts and their audiences.

Stephen Colbert, the host of “The Late Show,” greeted the audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York with giddy enthusiasm. He expressed his relief at the strike’s resolution and praised his writers, stating they were “back safely in their joke holes.” Colbert adeptly balanced humor, touching on his wife and Trump’s indictments, with a nod to the seriousness of the strike’s outcome.

Jimmy Fallon, host of “The Tonight Show,” celebrated the return of late-night television and humorously commended the striking writers for securing fair deals. He shifted quickly from strike-related jokes to more traditional late-night fare, discussing topics like NBC transforming his studio into a Spirit Halloween store.

Jimmy Kimmel, the host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC, greeted his audience with humor, remarking that they might have forgotten him during the prolonged break. Kimmel expressed gratitude to his crew and other unions that supported the writers, emphasizing that it was a “big win for the little guy.” He returned to his usual routine of poking fun at Trump after addressing the strike.

Seth Meyers, the host of “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” dedicated much of his show to a news-focused segment, “Closer Look,” but also expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the resolution of the strike. Meyers commended the WGA’s leadership and even thanked NBC, despite being on opposing sides during the strike, for compassionate decisions regarding the show’s staff.

John Oliver, who hosts “Last Week Tonight” on HBO, returned with a fervent message in support of the striking writers. Oliver criticized Hollywood studios for taking 148 days to reach an agreement that could have been offered on the first day. He expressed his pride in the WGA’s accomplishments and encouraged other workers, whether in unions or aspiring to join them, to find strength in unity.

The late-night hosts’ return signifies a return to some semblance of normalcy in the television landscape, with a mix of humor, gratitude, and continued social commentary.