Seth Meyers is navigating the balance between humor and family life in his latest stand-up special, “Dad Man Walking,” which is largely centered on his experiences as a parent. “My wife and I are both very cognizant of the fact that we don’t want our kids to have trauma based on what I’m doing on stage,” he explained during a recent interview.
Even as he lightheartedly pokes fun at his children, he is thoughtful about whether they will find those jokes relatable when they reach their teenage years. Meyers mentioned that his wife has only one guideline when it comes to his comedic material. “She once said, ‘I never care how mean you make me sound, as long as you make me sound right,'” he recalled, adding that her sentiment reveals more about her than about any joke he has crafted.
In the conversation, Meyers offered insights on his special and reflected on his status among late-night television hosts, suggesting he may be one of the last in the genre. He also shared a risqué “Weekend Update” joke that ultimately was cut from a recent episode of “Saturday Night Live.”
When asked about boundaries regarding jokes about his wife, Meyers noted, “Not really. I’m a little bit of a shady operator,” admitting he has sometimes presented material to her after the fact, creating a situation where she must decide whether to remove it.
Regarding his children’s perception of his comedy, he remarked, “Ish. I wouldn’t say I’m their favorite.” He jokingly attributed their sense of humor to his wife, who is a former prosecutor, suggesting she might deliver the punchlines better than he can.
Transitioning from the team-based writing of “SNL” and “Late Night” to solo stand-up has been liberating for Meyers. He described the thrill of creating new material, stating, “If you write a really good stand-up joke, you can do it for as long as you’re doing that hour.”
The rise of podcasts has not diminished his style of comedy, he noted. While recognizing that podcasts offer deeper conversations than traditional talk show interviews, he remains focused on keeping the pace brisk and entertaining in his format, distinguishing it from longer podcast formats.
Responding to Jimmy Kimmel’s prediction that late-night hosts may be a thing of the past in ten years, Meyers expressed agreement. He reflected on his own good fortune in entering the industry when he did, while acknowledging a sense of loss for potential new hosts. However, he highlighted that podcasts continue to expand comedians’ reach, suggesting that the core of humor will always find a platform regardless of traditional formats.
Having recently renewed his contract with “Late Night” through 2028, Meyers conveyed a desire to continue as long as he is wanted. He expressed interest in potentially consulting for the U.K. version of “SNL,” should the opportunity arise. He described the expansion of the show as exciting, particularly since many talented individuals he once worked with are contributing to it.
Meyers shared his thoughts on why “SNL” has historically not incorporated more British talent. He offered that Lorne Michaels was likely focused on establishing the show with American talents before considering an international reach.
While he is frequently queried about the prospect of taking over from Lorne Michaels, Meyers finds the attention flattering, particularly given his initial struggles on the show. Concerning Lorne, he candidly stated, “I do… think he’ll run ‘SNL’ forever,” attributing Lorne’s unwavering dedication to his love for the show and the youthful energy it brings.
In a rapid-fire segment, Meyers revealed that his children are what make him laugh the hardest, and recounted an improv bombing incident at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival that left him less than proud. Among his parting thoughts on comedy, he advised aspiring comedians to keep their jokes concise: “Shorter.”