After Seth Meyers Poked Fun At His Own Late Night Time Slot, I Wish He Got More Primetime Specials

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After Seth Meyers Poked Fun At His Own Late Night Time Slot, I Wish He Got More Primetime Specials

As a dedicated follower and admirer of Seth Meyers for over a decade now, I must say that his recent primetime appearance has left me yearning for more. His wit, humor, and insightful commentary have always been a delight to watch, but it’s especially refreshing when he graces our screens before the stroke of midnight.

Seth Meyers has been a consistent presence on NBC for over ten years, first with Saturday Night Live and later as the host of Late Night with Seth Meyers. Although his role as a host allows viewers to enjoy his humor and interviews with celebrities every weekday night, it often requires staying up past midnight to catch the broadcasts. This week, he seized an opportunity for prime-time television, using the occasion to mock the late hour of his usual programming. Frankly, I found myself wishing that Meyers appeared more frequently in primetime during the 2024 TV schedule.

Following the single and potential final presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Meyers presented “Closer Look Primetime,” an extended live version of his popular “A Closer Look” segment, which typically airs on Late Night. Although many jokes revolved around the previous night’s broadcasted debate, Meyers playfully poked fun at his weeknight time slot as well. Meyers quipped:

Greetings once again to our live Closer Look Election Special! Let me emphasize that the importance of this debate couldn’t be more evident; it’s so significant that my usual late-night slot has been moved up to prime time. If I appear on your television before you’ve even changed into your pajamas, that’s a sign of urgency. My time slot is like an emergency broadcast system for the nation. A 10 p.m. airing means it’s critical, 9 p.m. indicates severe conditions, and if I come on at 8 p.m., it’s time to take cover!

On weeknights, NBC’s first late-night time slot is filled by Jimmy Fallon and his show, The Tonight Show, which airs at 11:35 PM Eastern Time. However, NBC is reducing the length of Fallon’s show. Since Seth Meyers’ Late Night program airs last, it’s quite unusual to catch him on NBC during the prime-time hours (8 PM – 11 PM ET). As a fan of Meyers’ “A Closer Look” and his interviewing style, I always appreciate seeing him on earlier, even if it means watching without my pajamas.

It’s no shock that he continues to excel in live TV performances, given his long-standing history on Saturday Night Live (SNL), where he was head writer for several years. In many aspects, “A Closer Look” segment could be considered the spiritual successor of SNL’s “Weekend Update,” currently hosted by Michael Che and Colin Jost. Later, Seth Meyers reminisced about his early days as host of Late Night, sharing a vintage photo of himself from those times.

Approximately nine years ago, I was donning a suit, delivering my monologue on a set reminiscent of Jeopardy in space. Just look what has become of that innocent boy! That enthusiastic lad, standing tall and brimming with hope. Nowadays, I’m so drained all the time that I must sit down. The only means to trudge through the day is by starting to drink with Kevin Hart at midday.

In the context of this discussion, the name Kevin Hart is alluding to Jimmy Fallon’s well-known “Day Drinking” skit where they both pretend to consume alcohol during daytime hours, typically with a different celebrity guest. The latest episode featuring Hart has been particularly popular. These “Day Drinking” clips usually gain over a million views on YouTube, providing entertainment for fans who don’t stay up until 12:30 a.m. ET on weekdays.

On Late Night, the segment known as “A Closer Look” stands out as the consistently popular choice. This segment delves into current events and is aired three times weekly during Seth Meyers’ show. The segment’s success has undoubtedly contributed to his acquisition of a primetime slot for “Closer Look Primetime.” A glance at the YouTube page for Late Night reveals that “A Closer Look” videos often attract audiences exceeding 2 million viewers. Given this popularity, it’s not surprising that NBC would schedule an one-off live special for him in response to a presidential debate.

Given that Late Night had to let go of some staff members due to budget reductions, I’m not holding my breath for a flood of primetime specials from their usual team who work on the late-night show. However, the live extended version of “A Closer Look” was enjoyable during the 10 p.m. slot, and I’m hoping another special will air before the 2024 election concludes. This year, Seth Meyers extended his contract with NBCUniversal until 2028, and he made it clear this summer that he has no plans to take over Lorne Michaels’ role at SNL.

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2024-09-12 12:37