Three of late-night television’s most influential voices—Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers—have officially announced a groundbreaking new podcast titled “Late Night Joking,” set to launch in early 2026. The joint project marks the first time the three hosts have collaborated on a regular series outside their respective network shows, signaling a bold shift in how late-night comedy is consumed in the streaming age. The announcement, made simultaneously across their social media channels on January 21, 2026, has sent shockwaves through the industry and ignited massive excitement among fans who have long wished for unfiltered conversations between the trio.
Kimmel, Colbert, and Meyers have each carved out distinct yet overlapping lanes in late-night: Kimmel with his everyman relatability and fearless celebrity roasts on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Colbert with his razor-sharp political satire and commanding presence on The Late Show, and Meyers with his cerebral, fast-paced monologues and biting commentary on Late Night. While they have appeared together on award shows, charity events, and occasional crossovers, “Late Night Joking” will be their first sustained collaborative effort. The podcast promises weekly episodes featuring the three hosts riffing on current events, behind-the-scenes industry stories, personal anecdotes, and candid reflections on the evolution of comedy in a polarized, algorithm-driven media landscape.
The announcement came with a short, cryptic teaser video posted to all three hosts’ accounts. Shot in a dimly lit studio with three microphones arranged in a triangle, the clip shows Kimmel leaning in and whispering, “We’ve been holding back for years… time to stop.” Colbert follows with a sly grin: “No censors, no commercial breaks, no mercy.” Meyers closes it out dryly: “And probably no sleep.” The 30-second teaser ends with the title card “Late Night Joking” appearing in bold white letters over a black background, accompanied by the sound of three laughs blending into one. No guests were announced, and no specific launch date was given beyond “early 2026,” leaving fans speculating about format, episode length, and whether the show will be free or exclusive to a platform.
The podcast arrives at a pivotal moment for late-night television. Traditional broadcast ratings have declined steadily as younger audiences migrate to YouTube, TikTok, and streaming services for comedy content. Kimmel, Colbert, and Meyers have each adapted—Kimmel with viral YouTube clips, Colbert with digital-first monologues, and Meyers with his popular “A Closer Look” segments—but the trio clearly sees podcasting as the next frontier. “We’ve spent decades talking to cameras,” Kimmel said in a joint statement. “Now we want to talk to each other—and to you—without anyone telling us to wrap it up or tone it down.” Colbert added: “This isn’t about replacing our shows. It’s about saying the things we can’t say at 11:35 p.m.” Meyers kept it characteristically succinct: “We’re just three guys who still think jokes matter. Let’s see what happens when there are no rules.”
Industry insiders believe the podcast could become a cultural juggernaut. The combined star power of the three hosts—each with millions of followers and decades of trust built with audiences—positions “Late Night Joking” as an instant contender in the crowded podcast space. Unlike many celebrity podcasts that rely on guest interviews, this format appears built around the chemistry and shared perspective of the hosts themselves. Early speculation suggests a mix of freewheeling conversation, deep dives into news cycles, and unscripted banter that could only happen among peers who have spent years in the same pressure cooker.
The announcement also carries symbolic weight. Late-night has long been seen as a barometer of American culture—reflecting, critiquing, and sometimes shaping the national mood. In recent years, however, many viewers have felt the genre has grown cautious, constrained by corporate sensitivities and advertiser concerns. Kimmel, Colbert, and Meyers have each pushed boundaries in their own ways, but a podcast without network oversight offers unprecedented freedom. Fans are already theorizing about potential topics: the future of comedy in the age of cancel culture, the influence of tech giants on content, behind-the-scenes stories from their shows, and perhaps even light-hearted but pointed jabs at competitors and executives.
The reaction online has been electric. Within hours of the announcement, #LateNightJoking was trending worldwide. Fans posted montages of the trio’s most memorable moments—Kimmel’s mean tweets segments, Colbert’s “The Word,” Meyers’s “Day Drinking”—with captions like “Finally, the crossover we’ve been waiting for.” Others expressed hope that the podcast could revive the cultural relevance late-night once enjoyed. “These guys are the last ones who still care about jokes that punch up,” one viral comment read. “If anyone can save late-night, it’s them.”
For Kimmel, Colbert, and Meyers, the project represents both risk and opportunity. Podcasts are notoriously hard to monetize at scale, and maintaining consistency amid busy television schedules will be challenging. Yet the trio’s combined audience reach—millions across broadcast, streaming, and social—gives them a massive head start. Early discussions reportedly include potential sponsorships from brands aligned with their values, though no deals have been confirmed.
As the launch approaches, anticipation continues to build. Will “Late Night Joking” be a weekly free-for-all, a monthly deep dive, or something entirely new? Will they invite guests, or keep the focus on the three of them? And most importantly, how far will they go when no network executive is looking over their shoulder?
One thing is certain: in a media landscape increasingly dominated by short-form clips and algorithm-friendly content, three veteran comedians betting on long-form, unfiltered conversation feels like a defiant act. “Late Night Joking” isn’t just a podcast—it’s a statement. After years of playing by the rules, Kimmel, Colbert, and Meyers are ready to rewrite them. And the audience is already listening.
