Jason Isbell helps revive late night TV after writers strike
Late night came back Monday, with an assist from Jason Isbell.
The Alabama native and Grammy-winner’s band Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit served as the musical guest during the first episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” since the Writers Guild of America strike ended in September.
Kimmel’s other guest was Hollywood icon Arnold Schwarzenegger, who appeared in the show’s cold open to spring Kimmel from late night limbo and reassure him, “You’ll be back,” to borrow the signature line from his sci-fi action classic “The Terminator.”
After an extended monologue catching up on all the trending stories the show missed — like the writers strike, Donald Trump’s indictments, Lauren Boebert’s night at the theatre, U2′s performance at the Las Vegas Sphere — Kimmel interviewed Schwarzenegger and then welcomed Isbell to help re-usher the show into the late night landscape.
“This is his album,” Kimmel said from his desk, holding a copy of the vinyl.” It’s called ‘Weathervanes,’ and here with the song ‘When We Were Close,’ Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.”
Playing his custom-made Fender Telecaster, Isbell and his band performed the eighth track from his ninth studio album (sixth with the band), which released in June. About the signature guitar, AL.com’s Matt Wake wrote “The Isbell Tele grabs eyes even before it grabs ears. There ‘59-style Telecaster Custom body features a chocolate sunburst finish and cream double-binding, while Fender’s aging process adds patina and the feel of a well-used instrument.”
On Isbell’s latest album, Wake wrote, “Weathervanes”…finds Isbell, a former Muscle Shoals and Green Hill resident, hitting a new peak, eight solo albums in. The album’s vocals, music and production equal his always razor-sharp lyrics. It’s the kind of recording that hits that rare intersection of art and commerce that makes big acts huge.”
Watch Isbell’s performance on Kimmel in the video above.
Isbell’s huge 2023 continues in October, in which he follows the release of his newest album with an acting appearance in Martin Scorsese’s highly anticipated and already-critically acclaimed drama “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which hits theaters everywhere Oct. 20. The film also stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone. We finally caught a glimpse of Isbell in the film’s second trailer.
Isbell’s summer tour made a stop at Avondale Brewing Co. in June. AL.com’s Mary Colurso raved about the home-state show: “Emotional impact was achieved through Isbell’s fine vocals, finessing or powering through the lyrics, and the understated genius of his guitar work. Isbell stands and sings, stands and plays, stands and delivers.” The 19-song set list also included “When We Were Close.”
The 146-day WGA strike ended after the guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached an agreement on a new three-year contract, prompting the late night talk shows to make a swift return with their writers and crew back to work.
Isbell and Schwarzenegger rounded out Kimmel’s guest list, while “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” had Matthew McConaughey and John Mayer, while “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” welcomed Neil deGrasse Tyson and his show’s house bandleader Louis Cato.