Today NBC Connecticut welcomed comedy king Seth Meyers, head writer and “Weekend Update” anchor for "Saturday Night Live" and soon-to-be host of NBC's “Late Night.”
Meyers stopped by the newsroom to chat about his career, his move to “Late Night” and his New England ties. He even tried his hand at anchoring the news, sitting alongside Kerri-Lee Mayland.
The star comedian shed some light this morning on his latest career move. After 10 seasons at SNL and five anchoring “Weekend Update,” he'll be taking over for Jimmy Fallon, who has signed on to host "The Tonight Show."
The swap is scheduled for early 2014, and Meyers said he’s both nervous and excited.
So what can we expect from the new “Late Night With Seth Meyers”?
Meyers said he plans to stick with the show’s basic structure.
“We don’t want to sort of deconstruct the idea of ‘Late Night,’” Meyers said. “We like how ‘Late Night’ works. We want to have a really strong monologue.”
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He said he’ll bring with him a crew of joke writers who can perform and play different characters on the show.
“We like telling jokes right to camera,” Meyers said.
Thrilled as he is to be taking over "Late Night," Meyers said the move is tinged with just a little bit of sadness. SNL has been his home since 2001.
He's reassured, however, by the knowledge that he’ll be right down the hall in 30 Rock and is handing off "Weekend Update" to his friend and co-anchor Cecily Strong.
“The show’s going to be in excellent hands,” Meyers said, adding that he's grateful for the chance to finish one last season and bid the show a proper goodbye.
Among the biggest changes to his work environment will be live guests and a faster pace, Meyers said. He'll have to prep and host a new show every day.
Meyers said other famous funny guys who have wished him the best include Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and his predecessor Jimmy Fallon.
Switching gears, Meyers said he’s happy to be back in his native New England. He grew up in Bedford, N.H. (“Live free or die,” he remarked) and was married just last month on Martha’s Vineyard. He’s a huge Red Sox fan and said he put money on the Sox winning this year’s Series.
“I’m loving it so far,” Meyers said of his time in Connecticut, commenting on the changing seasons and colorful foliage. “It’s a very choice time to be in Connecticut.”
Meyers will host a stand-up show at UConn tonight. Tomorrow he’ll head to Boston’s Wilbur Theater, continuing his tour of New England.
