Strike Force Five Explained

Italic:yes
Strike Force Five
Language:English
Length:51–72 minutes
Num Episodes:12
List Episodes:
  1. Episodes
Provider:Megaphone

Strike Force Five is a limited series podcast hosted by American comedians and talk show hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver. Each episode features conversations between the comedians on different subjects defined by an alternating leading host. Running 12 episodes from August 30 to October 10, 2023, it was created to support the five hosts' employees who were out of work due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, and its improvised nature aimed to demonstrate their importance to their shows.

Upon its debut, Strike Force Five hit the top charts on Spotify and Apple in the United States. The podcast received positive to mixed reviews, with many critics praising the motives but also commenting on the lack of coherence in discussions and the uneven quality of the recording.

History

Background

On May 2, 2023, the Writers Guild of America (WGA), representing 11,500 screenwriters, went on strike over a labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Productions for many shows employing WGA members were immediately halted, including the hosts' respective talk shows, 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.[1] Stephen Colbert suggested that the hosts keep in touch more during the strike, citing poor communication among the late-night hosts during the last writers' strike in 2008 as one of the reasons. The hosts began having weekly Zoom meetings to discuss the strike, which eventually led to Kimmel creating the podcast, Strike Force Five, named after their personal text chain.[2] [3] The podcast was distributed by Megaphone, sponsored by alcoholic beverages company Diageo and telecommunications company Mint Mobile, and proceeds went to support the hosts' employees, who were out of work because of the strike.[4] [5] [6]

Post-debut

On September 13, it was announced that Fallon, Kimmel, and Colbert would be performing together in a one-night live show called "Strike Force Three" at the Dolby Live theater in Las Vegas on September 23. Much like Strike Force Five, the show was set to raise money for their staff members.[7] [8] [9] However, the live show was canceled because Kimmel tested positive for COVID-19.[10] [11]

Rolling Stone published a report on September 7 that detailed the alleged toxic work environment on The Tonight Show caused by Fallon's "erratic behavior".[12] Nina Metz of the Chicago Tribune commented on what it meant for the future of the podcast, saying, "These are public figures who have worked to cultivate reputations as decent human beings who are sincerely interested in the people who work for them. [...] How does continuing with Fallon – as if nothing is amiss – not tarnish that?"[13] Linda Holmes on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast also expressed that it would be odd to not address the allegations even if they had prerecorded episodes.[14] It was later revealed that at least two other episodes were recorded before the report,[15] and the controversy remained unaddressed after the end of the podcast.

Several celebrities made guest appearances on the podcast, including Jon Stewart,[16] [17] David Letterman,[18] [19] and Ryan Reynolds.[20] Conan O'Brien was set to be one of the guests, but the strike ended before he could be scheduled.[21]

As the writers' strike ended on September 27, allowing the production of shows to resume, the hosts announced that the podcast would conclude.[22] [23] The podcast ended on October 10, after the initially announced 12 episodes.[24]

Format

The podcast ran for 12 episodes, with each episode lasting approximately 60 minutes. During each episode, the five hosts would discuss one or more subjects, such as fishing, interesting facts about their parents or their late-night shows, on a Zoom call. The leading host, who is different for every episode, would usually decide on the subjects.[25] [26] A thunder sound effect played every time the podcast title is mentioned for the first three episodes, until it was removed per Meyers' request.[27] Pre-production for each episode was highly limited, and no supervision was provided during the recording, so the discussions were mostly improvised; these measures were intended to highlight the importance of staff members, such as researchers and writers, to the hosts' late-night shows.

Jimmy Fallon hosted a game show called "Strike Force Wives!", similar to The Newlywed Game, in the fifth episode of Strike Force Five. The game show included Fallon asking the other hosts questions about their wives, but due to Fallon's inept preparation, it did not go as planned. Meyers commented that it was "the launch pad" for the podcast, as the hosts discovered that audiences enjoyed a looser approach to the podcast.[28] A second part of the game show, "The Return of Strike Force Wives!", aired on October 6.[29]

Reception

Strike Force Five received generally favorable reviews from critics. Alexi Duggins of The Guardian found the conversations interesting,[30] with Sarah Larson of The New Yorker writing that it was refreshing to hear the hosts having friendly discussions while also supporting the strike.[31] However, the unscripted nature of the podcast received criticism since it sometimes led to unfocused discussions and forced the hosts to interrupt each other,[32] [33] [34] which was characterised by Brianna Wellen of Primetimer as "an unofficial battle to be the top late night star".[35] Sean Malin of Vulture noted that the format and quality largely depended on personality of the leading host.[36] Some critics considered that the comedic potential of the podcast remained unfulfilled as a result of format implications.[37] [38] The sound quality limitations of Zoom also drew occasional criticism.

The fifth episode, "Strike Force Wives!", was singled out as the best episode of the podcast. Hillary Busis of Vanity Fair commented that it was "charmingly unpolished, apparently organic chaos". Sean Malin, remarking on Oliver's bickering with Fallon, wrote, "That sequence — the funniest of any episode yet, as well as the meanest — is emblematic of the larger dynamic at play between these five sharply defined male archetypes, the heartfelt camaraderie and fratty sarcasm shifting from moment to moment."

The podcast also saw responses from late-night staff members, subject-matter journalists, and other late-night hosts. Bill Carter, journalist and author of The Late Shift and The War for Late Night, praised the idea and said that the hosts "get along pretty well, which is kind of atypical for the history of late night." Sarah Kobos, photo research coordinator for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, expressed her gratitude for the podcast going towards helping fellow staff members. Greg Gutfeld, who hosted Gutfeld! on Fox News, which was unaffected by labor disputes, called the podcast "pathetic" and additionally criticized the comedy styles of the hosts' shows.[39] [40]

Strike Force Five debuted at number one on the podcast and news podcast charts of both Apple and Spotify in the United States.[41] The podcast was featured on Time and HuffPost list of the top 10 podcasts of 2023.[42] [43]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Porter . Rick . May 2, 2023 . Late Night Shows Shut Down With WGA Strike . September 9, 2023 . . en-US . May 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230502163705/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/wga-strike-late-night-shows-shut-down-1235477882/ . live .
  2. News: Rancilio . Alicia . August 31, 2023 . Late-night hosts team up for 'Strike Force Five' podcast to benefit their out-of-work staff . September 10, 2023 . en-US . Associated Press.
  3. Web site: Porter . Rick . February 26, 2024 . Seth Meyers Discusses "Constantly Shifting Sands" Over 10 Years of 'Late Night' . February 28, 2024 . . en-US . February 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240228224006/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/seth-meyers-10-years-late-night-snl-lorne-michaels-rumors-1235836524/ . live .
  4. Web site: Spangler . Todd . August 29, 2023 . Late-Night Hosts Hook Up for Spotify Podcast With Proceeds to Benefit Unemployed Staffers During Writers Strike . September 10, 2023 . . en-US . August 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830235349/https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/late-night-hosts-spotify-strike-team-five-writers-strike-1235706901/ . live .
  5. Web site: Limbong . Andrew . August 31, 2023 . Late night TV hosts team up for a new podcast amid the writers' strike . September 9, 2023 . . September 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230909111111/https://www.npr.org/2023/08/31/1196974888/strike-force-five-podcast-stephen-colbert-kimmel-fallon-john-oliver-seth-meyers . live .
  6. News: Horton . Adrian . August 30, 2023 . Strike Force Five: what happens when late-night TV hosts make a podcast? . en-GB . . September 9, 2023 . 0261-3077 . August 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230831103817/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/aug/30/strike-force-five-late-night-hosts-podcast-fallon-kimmel-colbert . live .
  7. Web site: Rose . Lacey . September 13, 2023 . Late Night Hosts Set One-Off 'Strike Force' Live Show in Las Vegas . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230914035433/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jimmy-fallon-jimmy-kimmel-stephen-colbert-live-show-las-vegas-1235589612/ . September 14, 2023 . September 14, 2023 . . en-US.
  8. Web site: Schneider . Michael . September 13, 2023 . Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon to Host Live Podcast Event Next Weekend in Las Vegas . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230914003734/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/stephen-colbert-jimmy-kimmel-jimmy-fallon-live-las-vegas-1235722399/ . September 14, 2023 . September 14, 2023 . . en-US.
  9. Web site: White . Peter . September 13, 2023 . Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon & Jimmy Kimmel Set Live Las Vegas Show As Part Of 'Strike Force' Team Up . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230913182631/https://deadline.com/2023/09/stephen-colbert-jimmy-fallon-jimmy-kimmel-live-las-vegas-show-1235545741/ . September 13, 2023 . September 19, 2023 . . en-US.
  10. Web site: Seitz . Loree . September 20, 2023 . Late-Night Hosts Cancel Live 'Strike Force Five' Show . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230924095415/https://www.thewrap.com/jimmy-fallon-jimmy-kimmel-stephen-colbert-cancel-live-strike-force-five-show-covid/ . September 24, 2023 . September 21, 2023 . . en-US.
  11. Web site: Weprin . Alex . September 20, 2023 . Live 'Strike Force' Recording and Steve Martin, Martin Short's Las Vegas Shows Canceled Due to COVID . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230922180913/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/live-strike-force-show-canceled-jimmy-kimmel-covid-1235595403/ . September 22, 2023 . September 21, 2023 . . en-US.
  12. Yandoli . Krystie Lee . September 7, 2023 . Chaos, Comedy, and 'Crying Rooms': Inside Jimmy Fallon's 'Tonight Show' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230912123228/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/jimmy-fallon-tonight-show-toxic-work-environment-crying-rooms-nbc-1234819421/ . September 12, 2023 . September 12, 2023 . . en-US.
  13. Web site: Metz . Nina . September 7, 2023 . Column: Jimmy Fallon allegations and Strike Force Five . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230912191651/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/what-to-watch/ct-ent-jimmy-fallon-allegations-strike-force-five-20230907-iqb5q3qqnvagdcs527ejht4vsa-story.html . September 12, 2023 . September 12, 2023 . Chicago Tribune.
  14. Holmes . Linda . Linda Holmes (writer) . Deggans . Eric . Katzif . Mike . Reedy . Jessica . September 11, 2023 . We unpack Jimmy Fallon and the 'Strike Force Five' podcast . September 12, 2023 . Pop Culture Happy Hour . . September 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230912105522/https://www.npr.org/2023/09/11/1198750546/we-unpack-jimmy-fallon-and-the-strike-force-five-podcast . live.
  15. Web site: Hibberd . James . September 12, 2023 . Why 'Strike Force Five' Podcast's New Episode Doesn't Mention the Jimmy Fallon Controversy . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230912190136/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/strike-force-five-podcast-jimmy-fallon-controversy-1235585699/ . September 12, 2023 . September 13, 2023 . . en-US.
  16. Stern . Marlow . September 22, 2023 . Jon Stewart Crashes 'Strike Force Five' Podcast to Roast John Oliver . live . . en-US . https://web.archive.org/web/20230923005643/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/jon-stewart-strike-force-five-podcast-john-oliver-the-daily-show-stephen-colbert-jimmy-fallon-1234829500/ . September 23, 2023 . September 22, 2023.
  17. Web site: Lewis . Hilary . September 22, 2023 . Jon Stewart Stops by 'Strike Force Five' Podcast, Reveals How He Fills Void Left by 'Daily Show' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230923212535/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jon-stewart-daily-show-strike-force-five-podcast-1235597008/ . September 23, 2023 . September 23, 2023 . . en-US.
  18. Web site: Busis . Hillary . October 10, 2023 . Farewell to 'Strike Force Five,' Late Night's Winning Podcast Experiment . October 11, 2023 . . en-US . October 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231011025702/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/10/late-night-podcast-strike-force-five-ends . live .
  19. Web site: Cobb . Kayla . September 29, 2023 . David Letterman 'Certain' He Never Told Les Moonves to Look for a 'Late Show' Replacement . September 30, 2023 . . en-US . September 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230930095415/https://www.thewrap.com/david-letterman-stephen-colbert-the-late-show-les-moonves-cbs/ . live .
  20. Web site: Hudgins . Ryan . October 10, 2023 . Ryan Reynolds Reveals He Got So 'Bonelessly Drunk' on John McEnroe's Show His Appearance Never Aired . October 26, 2023 . . en-US . October 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231026072436/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/ryan-reynolds-reveals-got-bonelessly-161606526.html . live .
  21. Web site: Guy . Zoe . September 27, 2023 . The Strike Force Five Return to Their Day Jobs . September 27, 2023 . . en . September 27, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230927223415/https://www.vulture.com/2023/09/late-night-talk-shows-return-date-writers-strike.html . live .
  22. Web site: Ushe . Naledi . September 27, 2023 . Late-night TV is back: Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, more to return after writers strike . September 28, 2023 . . en-US . September 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230928085906/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2023/09/27/late-night-talk-shows-return-writers-strike-fallon-colbert-kimmel-meyers/70980227007/ . live .
  23. News: Koblin . John . Nerkar . Santul . September 27, 2023 . With Strike Over, Late Night Shows Will Return Next Week . en-US . . September 28, 2023 . 0362-4331 . September 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230928085905/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/27/business/late-night-shows-return-strike.html . live .
  24. News: McCarthy . Sean L. . October 11, 2023 . How Strike Force Five Made Jimmy Fallon the Punchline . en . . October 11, 2023 . October 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231011134446/https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-jimmy-fallons-strike-force-five-podcast-co-hosts-made-him-the-punchline . live .
  25. Web site: Haring . Bruce . September 1, 2023 . 'Strike Force Five' Premiere Tops Podcast Charts, Keeps Talk Show Hosts Busy During Labor Strife . September 9, 2023 . . en-US . September 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230914143504/https://deadline.com/2023/09/strike-force-five-premiere-tops-podcast-charts-late-night-hosts-1235534383/ . live .
  26. Web site: Seitz . Loree . September 1, 2023 . 'Strike Force Five' Podcast Climbs to Top Spotify Charts . September 10, 2023 . . en-US . September 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230908180730/https://www.thewrap.com/late-night-strike-force-five-podcast-spotify-apple-charts/ . live .
  27. Web site: 2023-09-07 . Strike Force Five Ep 3: Stories We Missed, Vasectomies and Moby Dick . 2024-08-13 . Strike Force Five . en-GB.
  28. Web site: Chitwood . Adam . October 20, 2023 . Seth Meyers on His Return to 'Late Night,' the Evolution of 'Strike Force Five' and a 'Warmer' Talk Show Host Era . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231023214127/https://www.thewrap.com/seth-meyers-late-night-strike-force-five-interview/ . October 23, 2023 . October 23, 2023 . . en-US.
  29. Web site: 2023-10-06 . Strike Force Five Ep 11: The Return of Strike Force Wives . 2024-08-13 . Strike Force Five . en-GB.
  30. News: Richardson . Hollie . Duggins . Alexi . Verdier . Hannah . O'Neill . Lauren . September 7, 2023 . Best podcasts of the week: A lighthearted look back at the disastrous Liz Truss reign . en-GB . . September 15, 2023 . 0261-3077 . September 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230915023156/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/07/hear-here-liz-truss-british-scandal . live .
  31. Larson . Sarah . September 29, 2023 . So Long, "Strike Force Five" . en-US . . September 30, 2023 . 0028-792X . September 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230930133156/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/podcast-dept/so-long-strike-force-five . live .
  32. News: Sturges . Fiona . September 4, 2023 . John Oliver and Jimmy Fallon try their hands at a podcast with Strike Force Five — review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230906093553/https://www.ft.com/content/98543050-92c0-4b6f-b346-f22b9eb9ffa6 . September 6, 2023 . September 10, 2023 . Financial Times.
  33. News: Poniewozik . James . James Poniewozik . September 18, 2023 . The Talk Shows Have Labor Pains . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230923165406/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/18/arts/television/fallon-barrymore-strike.html . September 23, 2023 . September 21, 2023 . . en-US . 0362-4331.
  34. News: Sawyer . Miranda . September 9, 2023 . The week in audio: Strike Force Five; British Scandal; Intrigue: The Immortals – reviews . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230909230349/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/sep/09/strike-force-five-podcast-review-stephen-colbert-jimmy-fallon-jimmy-kimmel-seth-meyers-and-john-oliver-british-scandal-liz-truss-intrigue-the-immortals-radio-4 . September 9, 2023 . September 10, 2023 . . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  35. Web site: Wellen . Brianna . August 31, 2023 . Strike Force Five Is Like an Unofficial Battle of the Late Night Hosts . February 8, 2024 . Primetimer . en . February 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240208090458/https://www.primetimer.com/features/strike-force-five-podcast-jimmy-kimmel-fallon-stephen-colbert-seth-meyers-john-oliver . live .
  36. Web site: Malin . Sean . September 21, 2023 . Strike Force Five Heralds Podcasting's First True Supergroup . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230923124519/https://www.vulture.com/article/strike-force-five-podcast-review.html . September 23, 2023 . September 22, 2023 . . en.
  37. McEnroe . Colin . Colin McEnroe . Quah . Nicholas . Nicholas Quah . September 8, 2023 . A look at 'Strike Force Five' and the value of physical media, plus endorsements . September 15, 2023 . The Colin McEnroe Show . . en . September 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230919065638/https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-colin-mcenroe-show/2023-09-08/a-look-at-strike-force-five-and-the-value-of-physical-media-plus-endorsements . live .
  38. News: McCann . Fiona . September 16, 2023 . Strike Force Five: Top TV hosts shoot the breeze for a good cause . September 17, 2023 . . en . September 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230919065639/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio/review/2023/09/16/strike-force-five-top-tv-hosts-shoot-the-breeze-for-a-good-cause/ . live .
  39. Web site: Dickey . Josh . September 22, 2023 . Greg Gutfeld Drags 'Pathetic' Late-Night Hosts Podcast 'Strike Force Five': 'Like a Staff Meeting During COVID' (Video) . September 23, 2023 . . en-US . September 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230923004842/https://www.thewrap.com/gutfeld-late-night-host-kimmel-fallon-meyers-oliver-podcast-strike-force-five-video/ . live .
  40. Web site: White . Peter . May 2, 2023 . 'Gutfeld!' To Remain On Fox News Despite Strike . September 24, 2023 . . en-US . May 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230502214942/https://deadline.com/2023/05/writers-strike-gutfeld-to-remain-on-fox-news-1235353820/ . live .
  41. Web site: Lowry . Brian . September 5, 2023 . Topping podcast charts, 'Strike Force Five' gives a public face to the writers' strike . September 9, 2023 . . en . September 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230907233307/https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/05/entertainment/strike-force-five-writers-strike/index.html . live .
  42. Dockterman . Eliana . November 22, 2023 . The 10 Best Podcasts of 2023 . December 12, 2023 . . en . December 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231212085537/https://time.com/6321143/best-podcasts-2023/ . live .
  43. Web site: Capewell . Jillian . Evans . Erin E. . Torres . Monica . Grams . Lizzie . Moorhouse . Drusilla . Wanshel . Elyse . 2023-12-15 . The 10 Best Podcasts We Listened To This Year . 2024-08-13 . . en.

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