Seth Meyers reflects on his 10-year Late Night journey, from early ideas to pandemic challenges. He discusses crafting jokes for the show, unique segments like 'A Closer Look,' and the importance of engaging with a dedicated audience. Meyers talks about the joys and challenges of hosting late-night TV, navigating high-stakes environments, and maintaining work-life balance.
Seth Meyers navigated the challenge of hosting Late Night with evolving show direction after inheriting the role from established hosts.
The daily talk show format allows Meyers to quickly move on from bad performances and constantly improve, contrasting with lingering SNL episodes.
Gradual show improvement over drastic changes defined Late Night's success, focusing on strong monologues and engaging interviews for a winning formula.
Transitioning from SNL, Meyers discovered his unique hosting style by emphasizing listening during interviews and enjoying spontaneous conversations.
Meyers balances delivering dynamic content in a competitive media landscape by recognizing audience preferences and the significance of engaging show segments.
Deep dives
Seth Meyers Reflects on Starting Late Night
Seth Meyers reflects on the daunting task of hosting Late Night, especially following established hosts like Jimmy Fallon, Conan O'Brien, and David Letterman. Meyers initially had no clear vision for the show's direction, trying to incorporate elements from SNL's Weekend Update, which proved challenging.
The Daily Talk Show Challenge
Meyers discusses the demanding nature of hosting a daily talk show, highlighting the need to let go of bad performances quickly. Unlike SNL episodes that could haunt him for years, the daily show format allows him to move on from each episode and constantly improve.
Evolution of the Show's Quality
Meyers shares that the gradual improvement of the show over time has been more effective than drastic changes. He emphasizes the importance of a strong opening monologue followed by engaging interviews to define a successful episode.
Finding His Hosting Persona
Meyers talks about navigating his transition from writing for SNL to hosting Late Night and discovering his unique hosting style. He highlights the importance of being a good listener during interviews and enjoying the spontaneity of conversations.
Navigating Merit of Show Segments
Meyers discusses the balance of delivering dynamic content in a changing media landscape with multiple viewing options. Recognizing audience preferences and evolving content strategies, he mentions the success of certain show segments, like 'Corrections,' in engaging viewers.
Honor in Hosting Responsibilities
Meyers reflects on the weight of hosting responsibilities, drawing parallels between his SNL head writer role and Late Night hosting duties. He acknowledges the importance of maintaining a work-life balance and prioritizing family amidst the demands of the job.
Navigating Challenging Episodes
Meyers recalls challenging moments, such as the decision to go live following the intense events of January 6th. He expresses pride in the team's response during such episodes, highlighting the critical role of writing and production in conveying complex and timely topics.
Enjoyment and Challenges of Hosting
Meyers discusses the joys and challenges of hosting, expressing love for writing and performing successful comedy bits. He shares the thrill of interview segments and the balance of crafting engaging and informative content within a limited timeframe.
Connecting with the Audience
Meyers delves into audience engagement and the importance of creating meaningful connections through humor and relatability. He emphasizes the unique dynamics of talk show interviews and the role of active listening in fostering authentic conversations.
Ten years ago Seth Meyers hosted the NBC show Late Night for the first time. Taking on a gig like that might seem a bit daunting, but Seth was up for the challenge. He's since gone on to interview hundreds of guests, create thousands of regular segments and navigate a pandemic-induced lockdown. Seth Meyers joins us on the show to talk about all things Late Night. He shares what ideas he had when first starting the show, what he loves about hosting it, how it's evolved over the years and much more.
