The Ultimate Late Night Lineup: Colbert, Fallon, & More Unveil Return Dates Following WGA Strike Resolution
Late night shows are making a triumphant return after the 148-day WGA strike Get ready for an exciting lineup of Colbert, Fallon, and more as they bring a fresh and vibrant twist to the late-night scene
Summary
Late night shows are finally returning to the air after the 148-day Writers Guild of America strike.
John Oliver will be returning to Last Week Tonight on October 1.
Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, and Stephen Colbert are all set to make their comebacks on October 2.
Late night talk shows, like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, have officially scheduled their return to the air. These shows have been off the air since May due to a strike by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The strike, which lasted for 148 days, was centered around fair compensation, transparency regarding streaming viewership, and the regulation of artificial intelligence. On September 27, the strike came to an end when the two parties reached a tentative deal.
According to Entertainment Weekly, five late night talk shows have announced their return following the end of the 2023 WGA strike. Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night With Seth Meyers, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert are all set to return on October 2. John Oliver's Last Week Tonight will make its return one day earlier on October 1.
How Late Night Shows Will Be Different When They Return
Following the end of the writers strike, late night shows have been able to resume quicker than other shows due to their writers' familiarity with fast turnarounds. However, while these shows are allowed to return to air, they will still operate with some changes. This is because the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) is currently on strike against the AMPTP, having joined the WGA in picket lines since July.
One condition of the SAG-AFTRA strike is that actors are prohibited from promoting struck productions. As a result, late night shows will likely invite guests who are predominantly outside of the acting industry, such as musicians or athletes. However, actors can still appear on the shows if they are not promoting specific projects. Nevertheless, this means that, for example, the cast of Saw X will not be able to discuss their new horror sequel premiering on September 29.
When The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon resumes airing, it will encounter an extra difficulty. Amidst the strike, a report emerged accusing Fallon of fostering a harmful work environment, as stated by several employees. Despite having already apologized to his staff, Fallon will probably be required to acknowledge this report and endeavor to redeem the show's reputation on his initial episode back on the air.
