After 118 long days, the actors strike has finally come to an end, much to the relief of Hollywood and late night hosts alike. As the industry begins to pick up the pieces and resume production on stalled projects, Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon took the opportunity to share their thoughts on the end of the strike during their respective late night shows.
During Thursday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, host Jimmy Kimmel declared it “take your actor back to work day here in Hollywood,” signaling the return of actors to film sets and production houses across the city. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) recently reached a tentative deal on a new three-year contract with studios and streaming platforms, marking the official end of the grueling months-long strike.
Kimmel humorously mentioned that there were tears of exhilaration and joy in the negotiation room after the deal was approved, joking that it only took the actors a few takes to convey the realism of their emotions. He also playfully suggested that the Hallmark Channel immediately started shooting all 1,200 of its Christmas movies, making light of the entertainment industry’s notorious obsession with holiday-themed films.
The host further quipped, “Finally actors can get back to their real jobs, which is playing people with real jobs.” Kimmel’s wit and humor reflected the collective relief felt by actors and industry professionals as they returned to work after a prolonged and challenging strike.
Similarly, Jimmy Fallon, host of The Tonight Show, shared his reaction to the end of the strike during Thursday’s episode. Fallon humorously announced that the strike was over, and as a result, his upcoming guests would include “everyone,” highlighting the multitude of celebrities and actors who are now able to appear on late night talk shows without constraints.
Fallon also addressed the limitations faced by guests who appeared on late night shows during the strike, as they were unable to promote any struck movie or TV projects. This aspect of the strike had a significant impact on the content and promotion of late night shows, prompting creative solutions from both hosts and their guests to work around the restrictions.
During Fallon’s opening monologue, the comedy group Please Don’t Destroy seized a moment to humorously promote their upcoming movie, The Treasure of Foggy Mountain, since they were unable to promote it during their previous appearance on The Tonight Show. The lighthearted exchange highlighted the eagerness of actors and artists to promote their work after the long hiatus caused by the strike.
Both Kimmel and Fallon also humorously commented on the prevalence of reality shows during the fall TV season, noting that the return of scripted shows and actors couldn’t come soon enough. Fallon jokingly expressed doubts about the world’s capacity to handle yet another reality dating show, before showcasing a series of exaggerated reality show titles.
The end of the actors strike marked a momentous occasion for the entertainment industry, signaling a return to normalcy and the resumption of countless halted projects. Late night hosts used their platforms to both celebrate the end of the strike and poke fun at the intricacies of the entertainment world, providing much-needed humor and relief during a tumultuous time. As actors return to their sets and resume their craft, the industry looks forward to a new chapter of creativity and collaboration.