NEW YORK, New York – John Oliver, the Emmy-winning host of “Last Week Tonight,” recently discussed his relationship with fellow late-night hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Seth Meyers. Oliver, carrying his two new Emmy awards, spoke with Deadline about their collaboration on a limited series podcast called “Strike Force Five.” The podcast was launched during the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike to support crew members who were out of work due to show shutdowns.
Oliver emphasized that the dynamic between the hosts went beyond the podcast and provided a support system during the stressful strike. He explained that they regularly communicated through Zoom, ensuring they were on the same page and able to keep their shows off the air. This collaboration was in stark contrast to the 2007-08 WGA strike, where the late-night hosts returned to the air without writers and had a fractured relationship.
The host said the most useful aspect of their frequent communication was being able to lean on each other during the difficult time of the strike. Oliver revealed that the personal relationship between the five hosts has continued post-strike through a group chat they maintain. He confirmed that his American counterparts used the text chain to congratulate him on his latest Emmy wins.
This year, “Last Week Tonight” secured an Outstanding Writing for Variety Series trophy in addition to winning the first-ever Emmy in the newly created category of Outstanding Scripted Variety Series. Oliver downplayed a sense of competition, stating that he didn’t think of it that way. He found the whole event confusing and weird, especially since his show had been moved to the Scripted Variety Series field after consistently competing against Colbert, Kimmel, Fallon, and Meyers’ shows in the Outstanding Variety Talk Series category for seven years.
While “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers” were nominated in the Outstanding Talk Series category, they lost to “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.” Noah’s show is the most recent incarnation of “The Daily Show,” which Oliver had left to start “Last Week Tonight” in 2014.
The collaboration and support among these late-night hosts during the WGA strike not only created a valuable network but also showcased the unity within the industry. Through their joint efforts in “Strike Force Five,” they demonstrated a resolve to support their crew members in times of uncertainty and challenges.