Late-night talk shows have finally returned after a five-month hiatus due to the writers’ strike. The hosts of the four major talk shows, including Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Seth Meyers, made their long-awaited comebacks on Monday. The return was made possible after a deal was struck between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Colbert and Kimmel started their shows with humorous cold opens to celebrate their respective returns. Colbert pretended to be stranded at sea for the summer before being informed by a dolphin that the strike was over. Kimmel, on the other hand, enlisted the help of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who played his therapist, to gather the courage to return after such a long break.
While all the hosts took the time to express gratitude towards their writing staff and crew, they also tried to cover the biggest news from the summer. Topics included a viral story about a Delta plane returning to its original airport due to a diarrhea incident, dating rumors surrounding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, as well as the pop-culture moment that was Barbenheimer.
Political news, particularly related to former President Donald Trump, took center stage for Colbert, Kimmel, and Meyers. They discussed Trump’s numerous indictments over the summer, his arrest in August, and made quips about the trials he is facing. Kimmel even joked about Trump’s alleged involvement in shooting Tupac.
However, Jimmy Fallon’s return to “The Tonight Show” was notable for the absence of any mention regarding the toxic-workplace allegations that surfaced last month. An investigation by Rolling Stone revealed claims of a toxic work environment and instances of belittlement and intimidation by bosses, including Fallon. The network addressed the allegations, stating that they take them seriously and have taken appropriate action.
HBO’s John Oliver, the host of “Last Week Tonight,” returned to his show on Sunday, a day earlier than his late-night counterparts. In his opening monologue, Oliver criticized the studio executives for letting the writers’ strike continue for such a lengthy period. He expressed both relief for the fair deal achieved by the union and frustration that it took the studios 148 days to offer a deal that could have been given from the beginning.
The return of late-night talk shows signifies a significant moment for the entertainment industry and for fans who have been eagerly awaiting their favorite hosts’ humorous take on current events. It is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the late-night community and a reminder of the integral role these shows play in shaping public discourse and providing much-needed laughter during trying times.