The Art of Writing Comedy: Behind the Scenes of Late Night with Seth Meyers

😂Comedy writers rarely laugh at jokes, even when they know it's the perfect one.

🌈Navigating sensitive topics like race, gender, and sexuality requires careful crafting and consideration.

🤔The segment 'Jokes Seth Can't Tell' was created to address topics that Seth himself couldn't joke about as a straight white male.

💡The writers aim to say something new and thought-provoking through their jokes, challenging the audience's perspective.

😅Comedy writing is a way for the writers to express their feelings and opinions, unlike those who have to suppress their emotions in their daily lives.

Why don't comedy writers often laugh at jokes?

—Comedy writers are focused on analyzing and evaluating jokes rather than finding them funny themselves.

How do the writers navigate sensitive topics like race and sexuality?

—The writers aim to address these topics in a thoughtful and responsible manner, avoiding offensive or harmful content.

What is the purpose of the segment 'Jokes Seth Can't Tell'?

—The segment allows the writers to cover topics that Seth, as a straight white male, cannot joke about directly, providing a platform for minority voices.

What is the goal of the writers in creating jokes?

—The writers aim to deliver fresh and thought-provoking content, challenging the audience's perspective and sparking new conversations.

Why is comedy writing important to the writers?

—Comedy writing allows the writers to express their feelings and thoughts freely, unlike those who have to suppress their emotions in their daily lives.

00:00Amber Ruffin and Jenny Hagel, writers for Late Night with Seth Meyers, give a behind-the-scenes look at the process of joke writing and performing.

00:24Amber shares her experience of trying to figure out Seth Meyers' comedic voice when she first started writing for the show.

01:17The idea for the segment 'Jokes Seth Can't Tell' was born out of a conversation between Amber and the head writer, Alex Baze.

01:32In the segment, Seth sets up the joke, and a minority writer delivers the punchline, allowing for jokes on sensitive topics that Seth himself can't joke about directly.

02:35The writers aim to navigate the fine line between addressing hard truths about their respective communities and avoiding being offensive or crossing boundaries.

02:52They emphasize the importance of intent and considering how the audience will receive the jokes.

03:17Through their comedy, the writers aim to express their feelings and opinions, contrasting with those who have to suppress their emotions in their daily lives.

03:38Amber and Jenny wrap up the segment, showcasing the unique perspectives of the 'Ladies of Late Night.'