Last month, five of TV’s late night show hosts – John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Stephen Colbert – joined forces to co-host a podcast together called Strike Force Five. Strike Force Five will have a minimum of 12 episodes and all of its proceeds go directly to the out-of-work staff on each host’s respective show. On the podcast, the five hosts talk about the ongoing Hollywood strikes and share behind-the-scenes stories.
Kimmel, Fallon, and Colbert are also doing a live version of the podcast called Strike Force Three, which was supposed to record on Saturday, Sept. 23 in Las Vegas. As we all know, Covid cases are on the rise again, and unfortunately for Kimmel, he tested positive for the virus this week. As a result, the live podcast had to be canceled with refunds issued to ticket holders.
Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert’s “Strike Force Three” live show has been canceled due to Kimmel’s positive COVID test. He broke the news on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “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.”
Kimmel, 55, confirmed refunds will be given to ticket holders. He also noted that a rescheduled date will be set “if possible.”
As the show was announced, both Oliver, 46, and Meyers, 49, joked about their inability to attend the live show. “I’m not allowed back in Vegas until I’m cleared of all charges,” Oliver said, per a press release obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. Meyers, however, jokingly said he’ll be down the street but not at the event. “I WILL be in Vegas but unable to attend as I gotta play my slots,” he said.
The podcast was built to fund their employees while the writer’s strike keeps many shows off-air. Spotify’s description of the podcast states all proceeds will go to “out-of-work staff from the hosts’ respective shows.” The same expectation was set for the live show, with all ticket proceeds going to staff.
This isn’t the first time Kimmel has been out of work with a positive COVID test. In 2022, he tapped John Mulaney and Andy Samberg to host Jimmy Kimmel Live! when he tested positive for the illness twice in the same month.
I remember when Kimmel tested positive the first time and had Mulaney and Samberg fill in for him. I did not realize that he had tested positive twice in one month. This is the second time today actually (for real) that I am learning that this can happen. I had covid two weeks ago that I caught at a family birthday party. Another relative also tested positive on the same day that I did. Despite having a negative test earlier this week, she woke up not feeling well this morning and tested positive for a second time this month. The more you know, I guess.
Anyway, I hope Kimmel is feeling better soon and that his symptoms are mild. I also hope that the rest of his household stays healthy! Here’s another reminder to please stay home and take a test if you’re not feeling well. Wear a mask if you absolutely must leave the house while symptomatic. The White House announced this week that thru Sept. 25, they’ll be sending out free covid testing kits that are able to detect the latest variants. You can order yours through covidtests.gov. If you still have unused covid tests, that website also has a link where you can check to see if any of them have had their expiration dates extended.
The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is reviving a program to mail free rapid coronavirus tests to Americans. Starting Sept. 25, people can request four free tests per household through https://t.co/84NxcFYPBW. https://t.co/MpuH2uCUO9
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 20, 2023
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
Photos credit: JPI Studios/Avalon, Blaine Ohigashi/Avalon
Strike Force Five is a funny podcast. It is calming, in a way, to hear people joking nonstop and feel the camaraderie among them.
And thanks for the info about new COVID kits. Will order mines ones in the 25!
It is also worth being up to date on boosters. This was really a three shot series which should be updated annually. It may not prevent getting it entirely but it will help reduce the viral load if you do get it.
Masking would also reduce a lot of transmission, but that seems a lost cause at this point.
This has been a fun podcast and it even makes Fallon semi tolerable.
Nic- they skewer Fallon mercilessly 🤣
Really fun podcast. If you like any of the five hosts and you’re missing the laughter they bring you should check it out (start with the Wives episode).
No politics, just comedians riffing off each other and somehow Ryan Reynold’s companies are the only commercials.
I’ve had Covid just once (afaik), but I tested positive for 30 full days! Bleurgh! I assume something similar happened to JKim. No thanks!!