The highly anticipated “Strike Force Three” live event, featuring Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Stephen Colbert, has been abruptly canceled due to Jimmy Kimmel’s recent COVID-19 diagnosis. This event, which was expected to raise funds for various causes, had garnered significant attention and excitement from fans.
Jimmy Kimmel shared the disappointing news on X, revealing that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Well, Las Vegas, I got Covid, and sadly, we need to cancel this weekend’s Strike Force Three show. I could never live with myself if I got my hometown friends sick. Thanks to all who purchased tickets, everyone will get full refunds and we will try to reschedule if possible.…
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) September 20, 2023
“Strike Force Three” was set to be a unique and star-studded live show featuring three of the five hosts from the “Strike Force Five” podcast. The event was scheduled to take place at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on September 23.
The podcast itself was initiated by late-night talk show hosts, including Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Fallon. It emerged as a response to the challenges faced by the entertainment industry during the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
The Origin of Strike Force Five Podcast
The “Strike Force Five” podcast was born out of necessity as late-night hosts grappled with the impact of work stoppages caused by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. With late-night shows going dark in support of these strikes, the hosts found themselves with idle studios and employees who depended on their jobs. To address this issue, they initiated the podcast as a means to raise funds and continue supporting their teams during the shutdowns.
The WGA strike, which commenced in May, revolved around crucial issues such as fair compensation for writers, especially considering the evolving landscape of streaming services. This strike echoed the 2007 strike and aimed to secure better funding for writers’ rooms and address concerns about DVD residuals.
With late-night shows temporarily off the air, these hosts went the extra mile to ensure their staff’s well-being, including personal financial support and morale-boosting efforts like providing ice cream and food to picketing writers.