In a surprise turn of events late night shows such as The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon are returning, after the prolonged standoff between writers and studios was resolved. The strike that gripped the entertainment industry for the past several months has come to an end with a groundbreaking deal that promises to reshape the landscape of the entertainment district. According to Deadline, “While Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and other late night hosts return, the Daily Show is still on hiatus due to being in a slightly different situation”.
Negotiations between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and studios have been tense, with both sides not backing down. Late-night hosts such as Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel have expressed their support for the strike, while their shows were put on hiatus. In accordance with a previous post by MXDWN, “A podcast called Strike Force, a group of late night show hosts, played a significant role by coming together to raise awareness and support for the writers’ cause.”
There was finally an end to the stalling impasse at the beginning of September, and the representatives from the WGA and the studios have reached an agreement that has been addressed as a win-win for both parties. As part of the agreement, increased compensation, improved working conditions, creative autonomy, and streamlined contract negotiations were added to prevent future strikes. As late-night shows return to our screens with a renewed sense of purpose and creativity, the effects of this agreement are poised to reshape the late-night landscape and inspire positive changes throughout the entertainment industry. In preparation for the new era of vibrant, innovative, and entertaining late-night shows, late-night television hosts will be dusting off their desks and rehearsing their opening monologues. There’s no doubt late night is going to return with a bang, while still informing us, entertaining us, and making us laugh.