Late Night Anarchy: A Conversation with Seth Meyers

TLDRIn this conversation with Michael Shore, Seth Meyers discusses the evolution of late night television, the importance of embracing unexpected moments, and the camaraderie among writers on his show.

Key insights

🎭Late night television has evolved from a lean back medium to a lean forward business, with shows like The Daily Show and Colbert Report leading the way.

🤹‍♂️Seth Meyers and his team embrace anarchy and unexpected moments, which often result in the most memorable and hilarious segments.

🤝Late night writers have a strong camaraderie, and their willingness to push boundaries and support each other is key to the success of the show.

🌟The absence of a live audience during the pandemic allowed for more creativity and freedom to take risks in the show's format.

😄Seth Meyers' willingness to admit when he's wrong and go off-script adds authenticity and humor to the show.

Q&A

How has late night television evolved over the years?

Late night television has gone from a laid-back, ambling style to a more engaging and lean-forward format, with shows like The Daily Show and Colbert Report setting the trend.

What sets Seth Meyers' show apart from others in late night?

Seth Meyers and his team embrace anarchy and unexpected moments, resulting in some of the most memorable and hilarious segments on late night TV.

How do the writers on Seth Meyers' show support each other?

The writers on Seth Meyers' show have a strong camaraderie and are willing to push boundaries to create the best content. Their support and collaboration contribute to the success of the show.

How has the absence of a live audience during the pandemic affected the show?

The absence of a live audience during the pandemic allowed for more creativity and freedom to experiment with the show's format, resulting in unique and innovative segments.

What makes Seth Meyers' show authentic and funny?

Seth Meyers' willingness to admit when he's wrong and go off-script adds authenticity and humor to the show, making it relatable and enjoyable for viewers.

Timestamped Summary

00:00In this conversation with Michael Shore, Seth Meyers discusses the evolution of late night television and the shift from a lean-back medium to a lean-forward business.

06:56Seth reflects on his experience transitioning from a standing monologue format to starting at the desk, which improved the show's flow and his comfort on stage.

09:21Seth shares a funny story about a segment gone wrong and how their camaraderie as a team allows them to embrace unexpected moments and go off-script.

11:29The absence of a live audience during the pandemic allowed for more creativity and freedom to experiment, resulting in hilarious and memorable moments on the show.

12:31Seth talks about the supportive and collaborative nature of the writing team, which contributes to the success of the show and the overall quality of the content.