LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: The popular late-night show trio, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert, announced the 'Strike Force Three' live event last week but now it has been called off after Kimmel tested Covid positive, Variety reports.
The 55-year-old host announced the news on X, formerly known as 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. Thanks to all who purchased tickets, everyone will get full refunds and we will try to reschedule if possible.”
What is 'Strike Force Three'?
The three were scheduled to record a live episode of their 'Strike Force Five' podcast at the Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on Saturday, September 23. The limited series podcast typically includes Seth Meyers and John Oliver as well, hence the “five.”
It’s an ongoing outlet for late-night talents to discuss the ongoing Hollywood strikes and gives insight to fans into the intimate conversations about what happens off-screen.
Both Oliver, 46, and Meyers, 49, joked about their inability to attend the live show as the show was announced.
“I’m not allowed back in Vegas until I’m cleared of all charges,” Oliver said, as per a press release obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
However, Meyers, 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.
Why was the podcast built?
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.” ll 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.
Jimmy Kimmel was previously tested Covid-19 positive
Apparently, this is not the first time Kimmel has been out of work with a positive Covid-19 test. He tapped John Mulaney and Andy Samberg last year to host Jimmy Kimmel Live! when he tested positive for the illness a couple of times in the same month.
As of now, episodes of the 'Strike Force Five' podcast are available wherever podcasts are streaming.
Social media users react to Jimmy Kimmel testing Covid-19 positive?
X media users also wished for his speedy recovery in the comments section. "Get boosted soon", tweeted one while another wrote, "Jimmy take a shot. You know, for the good of others....".
"Wishing you a smooth recovery Jimmy!", one said while another tweeted, "Feel better soon, Kimmel. Thank you for all the fun you guys bring to us."
"Sorry to hear. I’m still getting through the after-effects now and it’s brutal. Hope yours goes better than mine!!", wrote one.
