Stephen Colbert bids farewell with big comedy reunion special episode

Stephen Colbert is gearing up for an emotional on-air reunion with his late-night pals.

The 61-year-old comedian teams up once again with Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver for a special “emergency” episode of their hit podcast Strike Force Five.

The beloved US chat show hosts made the surprise announcement during Monday’s episode of The Late Show, just days before Colbert’s long-running programme is set to wrap up for good. 

Fans of late-night TV are already bracing themselves for an emotional goodbye.

The one-off special podcast episode is set to drop on May 13 and will raise money for World Central Kitchen, the global charity that provides meals in disaster zones and during humanitarian crises. 

It marks a return of the group’s 2023 project, which originally launched during the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes to support out-of-work staff from their shows.

During the broadcast, the five comedians also got into a heartfelt, and at times funny, discussion about the future of late-night television. 

Kimmel joked that no one ever questions other big TV formats, saying: “You don’t hear Ryan Seacrest being asked why Wheel of Fortune should exist.”

Despite the humour, he pointed out that audiences are still very much there, just watching differently online and on platforms like YouTube.

Fallon added that late-night TV still feels like part of everyday life for many viewers, saying people tune in to “laugh and go to bed happy.”

In a show of respect, Kimmel has also confirmed he will not air a new episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on May 21, choosing instead to air a repeat so viewers can focus on Colbert’s final farewell.

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