Seth Meyers (2014)
Seth Adam Meyers is an American actor, voice actor, screenwriter, producer, television host and comedian. He is a former head writer for NBC's Saturday Night Live and hosted its news parody segment Weekend Update. Meyers currently hosts the talk show Late Night with Seth Meyers, which premiered on Monday, February 24, 2014, on NBC. Meyers hosted the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards on August 25th, 2014, on NBC.
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About the Seth Meyers Interview
Seth Meyers here, coming to you from my dressing room in Downtown L.A.'s Nokia Theater, where come Monday I'll be hosting the 66th Annual Primetime Emmys.
This past February I became host of NBC's Late Night franchise. I've had the opportunity to interview Reddit favorites like Bill Nye, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chris Pratt, Lena Headey, Sirs Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, plus tons of other actors, musicians, authors, athletes and more...
Before I joined Late Night, I spent over a decade on Saturday Night Live, where I served as a cast member, head writer and Weekend Update anchor. Some highlights thanks to Yahoo! Screen here. I'm also excited to share with you the Hulu animated series The Awesomes was just picked up for a third season! More info on that here.
Ask me about the Emmys, Late Night, SNL, The Awesomes, comics, books, sports, television and...anything!
PROOF: https://twitter.com/sethmeyers/status/502154549197815808
https://twitter.com/LateNightSeth/status/502154283631259649
UPDATE: Thanks, everyone for the questions! I really enjoyed my first AMA. Watch the Emmys on NBC Monday, Aug. 25 at 8pmET/5pm PT and Late Night weeknights on NBC at 12:35/11:35c!
Have a great day!
-Seth
Seth Meyers Aug 20, 2014
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How could you ask questions like "I'm sorry Stefon, what is a human magic 8-ball?" with a straight face when Bill Hader couldn't keep it together?
what_would_yeezus_do
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In my memory I never did. It was so wonderful being out there with Bill. I just felt like an audience member with the best seat
Seth Meyers
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Really?
EloquentMumbling
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Really!?!
Seth Meyers
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Sorry, I've wanted to ask one guest of Comedians in Cars this:
How much time is spent actually shooting an episode as a guest? Is the conversation completely spontaneous or do you prepare as you do for a show like Late Night?
ChrisK7
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No preparation at all. Jerry pulled up outside my apartment and we spent four hours together. An hour on the road, three eating and talking. Probably four of the most exciting hours of my life. Very few people I know that are more fun to talk about comedy with.
Seth Meyers
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In a perfect world, would you and Stefon be together?
Velorium_Camper
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It is a perfect world and we are
Seth Meyers
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Any chance you will cameo on Portlandia? Your chemistry with Fred is charming and hilarious!
MyPrettyPower
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The schedule has never worked out but I'm hoping to make it up to Portland soon. I'd love to be there and see Fred do his thing
Seth Meyers
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Hi Seth,
What sketch that you wrote during your time at SNL are you most proud of writing?
Why doesn’t SNL release who wrote which sketches? (I.e. on the credits when they are uploaded to Yahoo Screen the next day) I feel like a lot of SNL fans would like to know who wrote what, and that it would be a great way for the fans to become familiar with the writers, who often times can go unappreciated.
jvh2012
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In my last full season I wrote a lot of stuff I loved. Louis CK as Lincoln, Darrell's House with Zach and History of Punk with Fred. As far as why they're not credited it's a good question. I will say, with rewriting and collaboration giving one writer sole credit would take away from the efforts of the table. I "wrote" the Sarah Palin sketches but often the best jokes came from other people pitching in.
Seth Meyers
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The thing with Fred at the start of the show where he tells what hes been up to lately is one of my favorite things ever. Are those completely improvised or does he know what your going to ask him about?
Dsalamone12
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Completely improvised. No idea what I'm going to ask him.
Seth Meyers
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Seth, did you know that you have a large amount of fans in China? And we call you " Sai Jin Hua" (means "better than Golden flowers" ') . You like saying anything to us? :)
P.s Good luck on Emmys! !nayun
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That's the best thing I've heard all day! Can't wait to make my writers start calling me that!!!!
Thanks, China
Seth Meyers
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Hi Seth! What has been the most challenging aspect of hosting your own talk-show?
Also, do you miss doing Weekend Update with Cecily Strong? You guys had such great comedic chemistry together!
Maccas75
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I miss her terribly. But we're in the same building so I get to see her all the time. I'm really glad I was able to spend time with her at the desk.
The most challenging aspect is shaving every day as opposed to once a week on Saturday night
Seth Meyers
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Best perk of hosting Late Night?
tajmaballer
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A dressing room with my own bathroom
Seth Meyers
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Seth, who was your favorite guest host on SNL?
GrandMasterT
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So many great ones over the year. Jon Hamm, JT, Melissa McCarthy...There are so few that let you down. It's amazing that people are willing to give an entire week to such a stressful process.
Seth Meyers
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Seth, you are literally my comedy hero. I cannot put into words how much I appreciate and love the stuff you wrote and were in on SNL.
However, my favorite moment of you on Saturday Night Live was on the Season 35 premiere, where after Jenny Slate famously swore in her sketch, you stayed with her during goodnights, giving her what was definitely a much-needed hug. This made me really look up to you, in how you decided to comfort her with a smile even after she screwed up on the show you wrote for.
With this in mind, I want to know what you think about those who treat comedy, and especially SNL, like an unforgiving, cruel place. Do you agree? Or not?
T3canolis
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SNL was an incredibly loving place in my time there. People were out to succeed but not at the expense of their colleagues. By design someone is going to be unhappy at the end of every show. There's just not enough space for everyone to score each week. But it was never unforgiving and never cruel.
As for Jenny, she is such a talented person. I suggest everyone see her film "Obvious Child" which was wonderful. She also killed her segment on Late Night
Seth Meyers
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Less of an "ask" and more of a "tell", but the segment you do right after the monologue where you do updates on the family and personal life are really great, you're a dynamite storyteller with those. Here's an "ask" part for you: does it take a lot of work to come up with a new yarn every night, or do those anecdotes come to you pretty naturally?
drewm_55
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Thanks! I really enjoy doing that. I wasn't something we planned as much as we discovered. They don't come easy every day. There are times when it's a bit more of a struggle mostly because my days can be the same in the middle of a show week. I do find myself trying new things in hopes of finding something new to talk about
Seth Meyers
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Hi, Seth!
I'm from your hometown of Bedford, NH! Your mom taught French to my friends several years ago, I was at your show at our high school auditorium (the local jokes in particular were spot on), and I was in the audience at your third ever Late Night show! So I'm a pretty big fan of yours, and I appreciate having the opportunity to tell you so.
My question is a two-parter:
1 How do you like the job? Is it a fulfilling line of work?
2) What's it like to step into the shoes of the late night greats like Jimmy, Letterman, and Conan?
Thanks so much!!
modern_complexity
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Bonjour! Great to talk to a fellow Bedfordite.
1) I love my job and it's incredibly fulfilling. Getting to do it every day is incredible.
2) It's daunting but at SNL I was stepping into big shoes as well so I learned the best way to handle that kind of pressure is to do your best to ignore it.Seth Meyers
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What's your favorite Stefon nightclub?
Velorium_Camper
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KEVIN!!!!
Seth Meyers
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What do you miss most about SNL?
G-Pape
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The people. It's an amazing lot up on 17
Seth Meyers
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What do you think about the lonely island movie that's been announced?
Neiljackandjimmy
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So so excited
Seth Meyers
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How awesome was it working with Bill Hader? I imagine he's fun. Also, huge fan. You're very funny. Keep doing your thing.
DarrenAronofsky
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Bill is one of the most talented people I've ever met. On top of that he has impeccable taste when it comes to comedy. Writing with him always meant you were going to get the best out of the idea
Seth Meyers
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Hey Seth,
Any advice for aspiring TV screenwriters? What's the best route to get into entertainment writing?Is being in a comedy troupe particularly important? can online journalism suffice?
Thanks!
aejohnson9
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I think there are more ways than ever to find a job in the entertainment industry. The best advice I would give is to create as much content you're proud of as possible. So if the day comes when somebody wants to see your stuff, it's ready to go
Seth Meyers
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When will we see another "Second Chance Theater"? I loved that bit!
milkymaniac
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We have another one locked and loaded. Hoping to announce soon. But it's a good one!
Seth Meyers
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Hey Seth! What part of the Emmys are you most looking foward to?
emilyyy182
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The after party!
Seth Meyers
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Seth, did you have any interaction with Don Pardo during your SNL years? Wondered if you had any stories of thoughts about him.
frid
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Don was a wonderful guy who was always happy to tell us about the Golden Age of TV and radio in early days of 30 Rock. I'm so happy I had a chance to know him
Seth Meyers
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Has Chevy Chase ever told you that you're not?
Psychofant
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He's implied it
Seth Meyers
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Big fan and congratulations on your new venture! Which SNL cast member is in real life most like one of the characters they play?
moshami
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If you think that, based on her characters, Poehler is a ball of positive energy that you would want to spend time around, you would be right
Seth Meyers
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Is madam Meyers still teaching French? She's the reason I still know the French alphabet after 14 years.
CPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
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My mother retired two years ago! She misses her students but loves her free time
Seth Meyers
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What is your favorite comic book?
unicorn928
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Locke and Key is my most recent fav
Seth Meyers
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Hi Seth! Loved your work on SNL, specifically your characters Man in Line, Concerned Customer, Offended Friend, Silent Observer, and Restaurant Patron.
What was the strangest "pinch me" experience that you've had at 30 Rock?funk_houser
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Thanks for pointing out my fine sketch work!
In my early years of SNL I shared an elevator with Robert DeNiro
Seth Meyers
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Do you clear stories you're going to tell on the show with people before you tell them?
Ascertain20
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I don't. Eventually I'll get in trouble but so far, so good!
Seth Meyers
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Dearest Seth,
I am such a huge fan. I went to the 52nd taping of Late Night on May 22nd. I was freaking out the entire time. Hugh Jackman punched my arm, and your bloggers made my friend and I into a gif because we were freaking out so much. I straight up started crying when Fred sang Dancing with Myself. At the end, Fred blew me a kiss and Kim gave me her drumsticks and I almost passed out. Long story short, it was the best day of my life. I want to thank you so much for that. You are absolutely incredible, and you make me laugh until I cry every single night. You are going to rock the Emmy's! Okay so here is my question: what advice would you give someone like me who dreams of making people laugh for a living? You are such a huge inspiration to me, and your advice would mean the world. Thank you so much!Karlybitme47
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Glad you had fun! Here's my advice: Get out when you're young and perform as much as possible. This is the time to find your voice. A lot of the finding will come in the failing but that's OK. You'll be fine!
Seth Meyers
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When you were a kid did you ever picture your life taking this direction?
DaRooster
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No. But I never saw it taking any direction.
Seth Meyers
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Hey Seth, how did you feel when you got to roast the President at the White House Correspondents dinner?
messimanziel
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It was a thrilling night. Very out of body. I was incredibly happy when it was over but I'm glad I'm not sitting on that dais now about to stand up and do it again
Seth Meyers
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Do SNL stars and writers bring a notebook of ideas back from their summer break? How crazy is that first pitch meeting? I'm sure everyone is bringing their A game
thechasesmith
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Surprisingly, the stuff you work out in the summer always feels flat and old by the time you bring it to the first pitch. Some of the best stuff I ever wrote were ideas I came up with in the seconds before I had to say something out loud
Seth Meyers
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Hi Seth!
Out of all of the Emmy nominated shows this year which one has been your favorite?
Tommyboy2124
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Loved Fargo
Seth Meyers
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Seth, I loved the Men In Blazers' appearance on your show the other week. How in the world did you become a West Ham fan?
notkapowski
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I was doing a show in London in 2000. I wanted to go to a soccer game. Went to a ticket agent and had my pick between West Ham, Arsenal and Charlton Athletic. Chose West Ham because I liked the idea of going to East London. Have often regretted not taking Arsenal but will never switch back!
Seth Meyers
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What is one of your favorite Weekend Update jokes or bits that you were a part of?
traheidda
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Loved doing really with Poehler. Loved doing features with fellow cast members.
Seth Meyers
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Do you ever feel bad about making fun of people? Big fan, thanks.
GO_riboflavin
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I try hard not to tell any jokes that, were I to see the person I told them about, I wouldn't feel so bad that I couldn't say hello. There are very few I'd take back
Seth Meyers
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Hey Seth glad to see you with a talk show, always a joy to see you on SNL!
Was Drunk Uncle a character you came up with?
RandomnessAbound0610
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Drunk Uncle was all Colin Jost and Bobby
Seth Meyers
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If you could have been on the writing staff of any show (past or present) which would it be? Why?
globochememployee
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I saw a tape of a writers panel from Caesar's Hour a few years ago. Neil Simon, Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks and many more. Would have loved to have been in a room with them
Seth Meyers
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Do you hold grudges against your Late Night writers after reading Affirmations?
intrenches
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No, but only because I don't know who wrote what
Seth Meyers
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Seth,
Who was your favorite musical guest during your time on SNL?
jklap
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Wilco!
Seth Meyers
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