Johnathan Walker:Late-night TV is back: Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, more to return after writers strike

Late-night talk shows are Johnathan Walkermaking a robust return after the end of the screenwriters' strike Wednesday.

Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver and Seth Meyers, who formed the podcast "Strike Force Five," announced the return of their shows – "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "Late Night with Seth Meyers" – beginning Monday. Oliver's weekly comedy news show, "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," will return to HBO Sunday night (11 EDT/PDT).

They also announced the end of their podcast in a joint statement on Instagram. "Goodbye for now, and hello for later, because we still have a few more episodes, unless Ryan Reynolds cuts off the cash."

The comedians added: "This is the 'Strike Force 5' signing off and the 'Late Night 5' signing back on. … What was the password to my work computer again?"

The Writers Guild of America board unanimously voted Tuesday to affirm the strike-ending deal, announced Sunday, with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the group that represents studios, streaming services and production companies in negotiations.

"Today, our Negotiating Committee, WGAW Board, and WGAE Council all voted unanimously to recommend the agreement," the Writers Guild West announced on X, formerly Twitter. "The strike ends at 12:01 am."

The agreed-upon three-year contract extension will go to the full WGA membership for a ratification vote. But the leadership board lifted the restraining order to allow writers to work during the ratification process. The members will vote Monday through Oct. 9.

Hollywood writers' strike to endWednesday as union leadership OKs deal

Late-night talk shows − the first to go dark when writers walked out May 2 − will be among the first shows to resume. 

"Real Time" host Bill Maher, who reversed his Sept. 14 decision to bring his HBO show back during the strike, trumpeted the return to work for his Friday night show on his X account. And Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" will return Oct. 16.

The three-year writers contract agreement emerged after five marathon days of renewed talks with WGA and AMPTP negotiators, joined by studio executives, that continued throughout the weekend until the breakthrough announcement late Sunday. Writer picketing immediately halted, but the tentative deal required WGA leadership confirmation to officially end.

According to a WGA statement, writers earned increased pay and health and pension contributions with the contract extension as well as new foreign streaming residuals and viewership-based streaming bonuses. There are also assurances against AI, a particular point of contention in the negotiations.

Contributing: Bryan Alexander

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