NY Times: Seth Meyers to Host Late Night

[FredLeonard]

The New York Times and other news sites are reporting Weekend Update anchor and SNL headwriter Seth Meyers will take over Latenight when Jimmy Fallon moves to The Tonight Show.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/13/business/media/seth-meyers-to-succeed-fallon-on-late-night.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Fallon and previous Latenight host Conan O'Brien are both SNL alum. Original host of Latenight was David Letterman. Lorne Michaels will ex-VP Meyers' Latenight.

the move is expected to happen next February. No word on who will become Weekend Update anchor, a spot first held by Community's Chevy Chase. Dennis Miller, who now does a radio talk show for Dial Global, is the longest-serving Weekend Update anchor.

 

[Joseph_Gallant]

NBC has now confirmed the move of Meyers to "Late Night":

http://www.nbcumv.com/mediavillage/...eleases/2013/05/12/nbcnamessethmey1328656.xml .

I am a little surprised NBC is even keeping "Late Night" going. I thought that when Jimmy Fallon left, they would have cancelled the show and instead, expanded both "The Tonight Show" and Carson Daly's "Last Call" by half an hour each (so "Tonight" with Fallon would have run from 11:30 P.M. to 1 A./M. Eastern/Pacific; and "Last Call" would have been seen from 1 to 2 A.M. Eastern/Pacific).

I'm also surprised that Michael Shoemaker is staying as producer. I thought he would have moved with Fallon to "Tonight".

(But then again, Lorne Michaels will be the real power at both "Tonight" and "Late Night")

Since "Late Night" is staying in New York, I would think that the Seth Meyers version will, like Fallon's "Tonight" show, premiere on the night of February 24th, 2014 (actually the wee hours of February 25th), immediately after Fallon's first "Tonight" show.

BTW, Jimmy Fallon will probably again have CBS' Craig Ferguson as time-period competition before too long. I wouldn't be surprised if David Letterman retires by early 2015, and Ferguson is moved up to 11:30.

In fact, if Letterman is even thinking about retirement, could he announce it in the next few days (so it would be part of CBS-TV's "upfront") and have Ferguson succeed him before Jay Leno steps down from "Tonight" (read: at the end of the November sweeps or perhaps in January)??

 

[TheBigA]

The problem I foresee is a guest shortage or duplication. Letterman has had it all to himself, with his earlier time period giving him an edge over Fallon. Back in the Conan days, a guest had to do Letterman first, and the same guest would do Conan the next night. But Fallon has used the Lorne Michaels connection to get coups with Bruce Springsteen (multiple times) and Justin Timberlake. I expect hotter musical guests will continue to stick with Fallon and Myers. Rather than retirement, would Letterman consider moving to LA?

NBC is building a stronger franchise in late night, and that strength will be seen in bookings. They can also leverage other NBC properties, like Today or Access Hollywood, SNL, or Celebrity Apprentice. At one time, it was looking like TV was leaving New York, but NBC is instead increasing TV production in the Big Apple.

The idea of Ferguson replacing Letterman would only make sense if Craig tests well in the earlier daypart. He just appeared on Leno last week, and didn't really tone down his presentation for the earlier time period. I think this was to test out his humor and personality on that audience. I think Craig is really better at the later time. He's losing the battle in key demos with Fallon now, and I think the gap would increase at 11:30. CBS really needs to consider other personalities for Letterman's replacement, and I think Letterman's company will actually have a say in who gets it. Letterman has lots of people in his stable, including Bonnie Hunt and Ray Romano, who would do a good job as an LA based host.

 

[FredLeonard]

Carson moved the Tonight Show to LA because of availability of guests. OK, he preferred to live in Malibu instead of UN Tower, and Burbank had better production facilities than 30 Rock for skits and stunts back then. Prime time TV had abandoned New York for more than a decade when the Tonight Show moved.

Letterman's guest list is also a bit stale. When in doubt, book Regis. He only gets LA talent when they come to New York to hit all the New York shows to promote something.

Next year, Kimmel and Conan will have LA to themselves.

But Letterman could well go for a surprise move and give The Law Show to Conan. TBS' contract with Conan runs until November, 2015 but there are ways around it if Dave wants to exit sooner. Conan would be a very Dave move; like when he gave the Late, Late Show to Tom Snyder (the guy he replaced at NBC).

 

[Morgan Wick]

The question is, does Dave think Jay's really done for good?

 

[wild949austin]

I am so sick of these SNL alum getting shows. I guess they stick with NBC throughout their careers.

 

[Skynet74]

I guess it really is more important "who you know" in this business than if you are necessarily the best candidate for the job. We all all know that there are better people out there than Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers. However Lorne Michaels is just going to keep hiring his friends.

 

[1069_KIFR]

The new stepping stone to host "Late Night" Work on SNL 1st.
Conan a writer on SNL
Jimmy Fallon anchored Weekend Update on SNL
Seth Myers anchored Weekend Update on SNL


I was shocked when Seth Myers was named as the New Host. Took me by surprise, never saw that coming.

 

[TheBigA]

I guess it really is more important "who you know" in this business than if you are necessarily the best candidate for the job. We all all know that there are better people out there than Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers. However Lorne Michaels is just going to keep hiring his friends.

Who would you suggest?

 

[michael hagerty]

Joseph: You keep the "Late Night" franchise as a bench for future Tonight Show talent (Lorne wants to control the pipeline).

Don't bet on Dave retiring until he's sure Leno's really gone. Dave probably hangs in for a year. That gets him to 2015, by which point he'll know if Craig's a good choice for 11:35.

As much as I agree that Dave might want to give Conan the shot, it's not Dave's call. First, the deal with Worldwide Pants to produce 11:35 is almost certainly tied to Dave's deal. CBS can walk away. Most likely they won't, but that means Dave would have to sell CBS on Conan. And neither NBC nor TBS has produced any evidence that he's a huge draw at 11:35.

 

[ding12]

Not much in way of adding variety here as this is kind of like the Today show going for 4 hours. Seth Meyers has the same SNL background and following, and same age (just one year older) than Fallon. But I'm sure Seth will prove himself to be different if he can make it, but that's still unknown.

 

[michael hagerty]

Not much in way of adding variety here as this is kind of like the Today show going for 4 hours. Seth Meyers has the same SNL background and following, and same age (just one year older) than Fallon. But I'm sure Seth will prove himself to be different if he can make it, but that's still unknown.

Seth and Jimmy have very different personalities.

 

[umfan]

Meyers isn't very likable at all. Completely out of phase with Jimmy Fallon.

Likely to fail. Pretty typical of NBC decisions as of late.

 

[Skynet74]

I guess it really is more important "who you know" in this business than if you are necessarily the best candidate for the job. We all all know that there are better people out there than Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers. However Lorne Michaels is just going to keep hiring his friends.

Who would you suggest?

I would suggest someone who has stronger interview skills instead of just hiring people who can read off cue cards on a variety show. Carson knew how to interview and be entertaining. Craig Ferguson knows how to interview and be entertaining. So does Letterman even though he's not nearly as good as he was 25 years ago.

My point is that these days comedians get thrown all the high profile jobs before they have even proven that they can pull off being a good interviewer. I feel that this is a mistake. Sometimes luck happens and it works out, such as with Conan O'Brien. He was on the chopping block his first year. People thought he was doomed. Due to some kind of miracle he suddenly became great! Go figure. I guess that it can occasionally happen. But it sure is a gamble though.

Why isn't Howie Mandel considered for a late night show? He is wildly funny based on his guest hosting stints on Regis and Kelly. He clearly knows how to be funny and to be a good interviewer. But they went and replaced Regis with some gap tooth dude who is the most boring host I've ever seen. Same with John Stewart. NBC should have hired that guy for something years ago! He's an awesome interviewer and funny too. But Networks pass on that guy left and right as if he has some kind of disease.

I just have high hopes for a new generation of Johnny Carson to come along.... and with each new guy they hire I end up extremely disappointed.

 

[Later]

I never saw the appeal of Meyers.. I rarely watch SNL.. But do watch Kelly and Michael...when he was trying for (now Michael's) job I could not watch for very long.. He come off as arrogant and at times tried to be funny ALL the time...I remember thinking if they give him the job. It will be a mistake.

 

[TheBigA]

I would suggest someone who has stronger interview skills instead of just hiring people who can read off cue cards on a variety show.

It's pretty obvious that the interview has become a throwaway at these shows. Leno was the first to really push it to the second half. People tune in for Jay's monologue and his bits, not his interviews. Same with all the rest. Fallon's work with musical guests is just brilliant. He's really carved out a niche for himself there. Ferguson is a terrible interviewer. He would benefit by reading the cards his staff prepares and he tears up. Because he comes off as a total boob who doesn't know squat about his guests. But he's unpredictably funny, and does better joking around with his robot and horse. That's why people watch.

The main skill of SNL, and Fallon has talked about this, is it forces you to create characters and deliver a script on short deadline. That's an important skill for doing a daily show.

Why isn't Howie Mandel considered for a late night show?

That's a great idea, but he makes more money and works far less in prime time than he'd have to in Late Night. Keep in mind this is a four or five day a week job, with less vacation than Prime Time. While this is a plum gig, it would be a step down for Howie and a lot of well known comedians.

Jon Stewart had his own late night show on ABC a long time ago, and it was a total flop. He's better suited for what he does now.

 

[DJboutit3]

Meyers isn't very likable at all. Completely out of phase with Jimmy Fallon.

Likely to fail. Pretty typical of NBC decisions as of late.

100% Agree Seths new late night show will last only 6 month he sux

 

[nomadcowatbk]

Not much in way of adding variety here as this is kind of like the Today show going for 4 hours. Seth Meyers has the same SNL background and following, and same age (just one year older) than Fallon. But I'm sure Seth will prove himself to be different if he can make it, but that's still unknown.

Letterman had to broaden his appeal when he moved to CBS, Conan failed to do this during his brief stint or seems to have gone back to his old ways at TBS

 

[nomadcowatbk]

I guess it really is more important "who you know" in this business than if you are necessarily the best candidate for the job. We all all know that there are better people out there than Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers. However Lorne Michaels is just going to keep hiring his friends.

Who would you suggest?

I would suggest someone who has stronger interview skills instead of just hiring people who can read off cue cards on a variety show. Carson knew how to interview and be entertaining. Craig Ferguson knows how to interview and be entertaining. So does Letterman even though he's not nearly as good as he was 25 years ago.

My point is that these days comedians get thrown all the high profile jobs before they have even proven that they can pull off being a good interviewer. I feel that this is a mistake. Sometimes luck happens and it works out, such as with Conan O'Brien. He was on the chopping block his first year. People thought he was doomed. Due to some kind of miracle he suddenly became great! Go figure. I guess that it can occasionally happen. But it sure is a gamble though.

Why isn't Howie Mandel considered for a late night show? He is wildly funny based on his guest hosting stints on Regis and Kelly. He clearly knows how to be funny and to be a good interviewer. But they went and replaced Regis with some gap tooth dude who is the most boring host I've ever seen. Same with John Stewart. NBC should have hired that guy for something years ago! He's an awesome interviewer and funny too. But Networks pass on that guy left and right as if he has some kind of disease.

I just have high hopes for a new generation of Johnny Carson to come along.... and with each new guy they hire I end up extremely disappointed.

There will never be another Johnny Carson again

 

[nomadcowatbk]

Would dropping Weekend Update from SNL and turning it into Latenight Update work? The news is old by the weekend, especially after weeks (or months) of reruns