John Oliver and Late-Night Hosts' Bond during WGA Strike and Emmy Wins
By Matt Coleman
Published January 17, 2024
At the HBO afterparty, John Oliver, clutching his two new Emmys, took a moment to chat with Deadline about his bond with fellow late-night hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Seth Meyers. During the WGA strike, they banded together to launch a podcast called Strike Force Five to support crew members who were out of work due to the shows shutting down. Oliver emphasized that the bond among the hosts during the strike went beyond the podcast, providing much-needed support during the stressful time.
Unified Support During WGA Strike
Oliver highlighted the significance of the hosts' unity during the 2007-08 WGA strike, contrasting it with the frosty relationship among the top late-night hosts at the time. He expressed relief that this time, they were able to lean on each other and avoid the fractured dynamics of the past strike, thanks to their continuous communication and efforts to support crew members through initiatives like Strike Force Five.
Post-Strike Camaraderie and Emmy Wins
Following the strike, the personal bond among the five hosts has remained strong, with Oliver sharing that they stay connected through a group chat. He also revealed that his American counterparts congratulated him on his latest Emmys through the text chain. Last Week Tonight secured another Outstanding Writing For Variety Series award and also clinched the first-ever Emmy in the newly established category of Outstanding Scripted Variety Series, triumphing over NBC’s long-standing Saturday Night Live.
Emmy Wins and Dynamics Among Late-Night Shows
When asked about his show's victory over Saturday Night Live, Oliver expressed his perspective, stating that he doesn't view it as a competition. He also conveyed his feeling of strangeness in attending such events, emphasizing the overall sense of confusion. Last Week Tonight's shift to the Scripted Variety Series category this year marked a significant change after years of competing in the Outstanding Variety Talk Series. Meanwhile, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Late Night With Seth Meyers were nominated in the Outstanding Talk Series category.
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