Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers

Episode: TARAN KILLAM Did A Silent Disco in Snowy Canada
Date: January 27, 2026
Guests: Taran Killam
Hosts: Seth Meyers & Josh Meyers

Episode Overview

This episode brings Taran Killam—actor, comedian, SNL alum, and star of NBC’s Stumble—into the fold with the Meyers brothers. The conversation weaves through childhood adventures, eccentric family trips, cultural touchpoints (including silent discos and losing your voice at a Star Wars stage reading), and reflections on parenting, family dynamics, and travel mishaps. Listeners are treated to uproarious anecdotes, nostalgia, and the warmth of shared memories among close friends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening Banter & Catching Up (00:00–08:00)

• Seth and Josh riff about dogs, Sarah Silverman, and the quirks of family schedules.
• Discussion of upcoming live shows and road trips for the brothers (notably Seth’s jokes about New Mexico and his wife's family).
• Nostalgic talk about iconic roadways (Route 66), family members’ obsession with them, and generational change with technology ("AI's only getting better. Old people only getting older." — Seth, 04:44).

Introducing Taran Killam: Rams, Skiing, and Birthdays (08:08–10:05)

• Taran enters, commiserating on the emotional rollercoaster of NFL fandom (the LA Rams).
• Quick jokes about ski destinations (Big Bear vs. Mammoth vs. Whistler):
  "Big Bear is convenient... Mammoth is an actual ski resort. But my heart's in Whistler." — Taran (09:19)
• Taran shares that marrying a Canadian (Cobie Smulders) changed his perspective on real winter vacations.

Childhood Family Trips: Desert Escapes & Lake Mojave (10:06–16:13)

• Growing up in Big Bear, CA, Taran describes a life rooted in the outdoors: summer lake outings, winters on the slopes (thanks to free passes from his mom’s job at Snow Summit).
• The family’s go-to trip: camping at Lake Mojave.
  "If you have nature accessible in your backyard, you go even more extreme." — Taran (11:28)
• Candid breakdown of the pros and cons—some siblings adored it, others (especially teens) balked at the isolation ("by the time we started going as a family, [some siblings] were already in their teens and they're like, 'Can we go somewhere cool and not a place where you have to check your shoes for scorpions?'” — Taran, 13:00).
• Arcade nostalgia: X-Men, Sunset Riders, and boat-camping mishaps.

Family & Sibling Dynamics (16:14–26:01)

• Taran reveals a complex family structure: five siblings, age gaps, close bonds, and “the baby” sibling jokes.
• Influence of older sisters on his taste in comedy and music:
  "All my comedy education came from my older sister Rachel. She knew Kids in the Hall and Monty Python... My older sister Erin was the music one—Guns N' Roses, Nirvana." — Taran (24:10)
• Parenting reflection: raising daughters with a five-year age gap and seeing the benefits.

Raising Kids, Milestones, and College (26:02–31:01)

• Taran marvels at his daughter growing up, now on the verge of college:
  "Her life experiences are starting to happen where I still vividly remember my own." — Taran (26:12)
• Generational jokes about feeling increasingly out-of-sync with today’s younger generations.

Cobie Smulders & Canadian Christmas: The Silent Disco in the Snow (28:20–31:16)

• Taran describes their new family ritual: spending six weeks every summer and now Christmas at a cabin three hours north of Vancouver:
  "It's my happy place. I wish to be there all the time." — Taran (28:13)
• Dazzling Christmas night: Silent disco in the yard (full family, snow, headphones)—his new favorite holiday memory:
  "The four of us had a silent disco dance party in the snow Christmas night. It was... my new favorite Christmas." — Taran (28:48)
• Extended laughter and memories of first silent disco experiences (Seth and Josh at Edinburgh Fringe).

Meyers Brothers’ Own Family Trips & Hiking (31:17–33:44)

• Reminiscences about brotherly hiking trips—particularly half the Tour du Mont Blanc with their partners.
• Differences in sibling conversation styles:
  "Alexi and Mackenzie were probably speaking thousands of words and Seth and I would maybe say 100 words over three hours." — Josh (33:22)

Kids & Teenage Independence (33:45–35:03)

• Taran’s 16-year-old daughter finds work at a rural bakery during Canadian summers—instilling a sense of independence and real-world economics.
• Parenting lessons about appreciation and hard-earned money:
  "Every dollar she earns is a diamond... And then has no problem ordering four things from a boba delivery place on our credit card." — Taran (35:02)

Legendary Family Appearances & Wedding Speeches (35:38–37:56)

• Glowing reviews of Seth’s kids’ appearances on his show.
• Iconic family moment: wedding speeches from Seth’s dad and Josh.
  "[My dad’s] famous line: 'During Josh's speech, I was crying. I was crying too, because before he gave it, I was the best speech you'd ever heard.'" — Seth (36:58)

Football, Stage Readings, and the Hazards of Overcommitting (37:52–41:55)

• Taran’s “lost voice” saga: screaming during a Rams playoff game, followed by a Star Wars stage reading where he played General Hux.
• Host picks fun at recognizable “brand”:
  "I've cultivated a very specific brand for myself." — Taran (39:13)
• The live Star Wars readings: cast details, SNL connections, and fan-favorite moments.

Life-Changing School Trips & International Travel (41:56–45:26)

• Taran’s first plane trips: a school trip to D.C., then to London and Edinburgh, which “changed my life”:
  "Understanding how small my world had been... The independence was amazing... And just understanding how new the US is in comparison to the rest of the world." — Taran (43:18)
• Living off free shortbread in London after blowing all his cash at Sega World.

Greece, Parenting Abroad, and Talking History (45:27–46:04)

• Taran tries to impart historical context to his daughters while traveling in Greece—admits to waiting for openings (“I try to take my shots”).

Mexico Trips & the Great Panther Piggy Bank (49:45–52:19)

• Family timeshares in Rosarito, Mexico; Taran’s prized souvenir: a three-foot panther piggy bank ("it was like $42. Couldn't even get the video game I wanted," — Taran, 51:09).
• Jokes about the disappointments of “cashing out” childhood coin collections.

Haggling, Gift Guilt, and Alexi’s Skills (52:19–54:13)

• Seth confesses he’s a terrible haggler, relying on his wife Alexi’s talents ("they can tell if you don't have real Hagler eyes").

From Big Bear to Manhattan Beach: The Path to Showbiz (54:14–57:16)

• The family’s move to LA for Taran to attend arts high school.
• Early exit from UCLA after one year for a life-changing MADtv gig—thanks to a connection with Kenan Thompson's manager.

Speed Round & Final Reflections (57:17–61:54)

Speed Round Highlights:

• Ideal vacation: “Relaxing.” (58:02)
• Favorite means of transportation: "Driving a car myself." (58:06)
• Dream vacation destination: "A Nile river cruise. On a houseboat. But I’m not captaining it." (58:40)
• Stranded on an island with one family member: "My wife." (58:29)
• Favorite way to sell Big Bear: “Beautiful nature, fresh air, two hours from LA and the Performing Arts Center is a wonderful facility to see live theater.” (59:03)
• Grand Canyon worth it? "It absolutely was. Yes. It was beautiful." (59:41)
• Best road trip: Family moving cross-country in an RV, all seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time together.

Closing Anecdote:

• Tribute to former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and his legendary “Phil Collins—In the Air Tonight” motivational speech.
  "He brought all the guys into his room the night before and played Phil Collins in the air tonight... it's so long before that drum beat happens." — Taran (61:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "If you have nature accessible in your backyard, you go even more extreme." — Taran (11:33)
• On the birth order dynamic:
  "I'm trying to work on it... But I think there's probably some spite." — Taran, regarding calling the youngest "the baby" (16:27)
• "The four of us had a silent disco dance party in the snow Christmas night." — Taran (28:48)
• "Every dollar she earns is a diamond... And then has no problem ordering four things from a boba delivery place on our credit card." — Taran (35:02)
• On blowing all his cash in London: "First night, $500 just playing video games... Not good with money. Thank goodness for my daughter." — Taran (41:41)
• "I've cultivated a very specific brand for myself." — Taran referencing his enthusiastic, voice-consuming passions (39:13)
• On the power of travel:
  "Understanding how small my world had been... The independence was amazing... And just understanding how new the US is in comparison to the rest of the world." — Taran (43:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–08:00: Opening banter, dog stories, shows, Route 66
• 08:08–10:05: Taran joins, Rams fandom, ski resorts
• 10:06–16:13: Big Bear upbringing, Lake Mojave trips, arcade games
• 16:14–26:01: Siblings, middle child stories, comedy/musical influences
• 26:02–31:01: Raising daughters, passing milestones
• 28:20–31:16: Canadian Christmas & the Silent Disco
• 31:17–33:44: Meyers family adventures, brotherly dynamics
• 33:45–35:03: Raising teens, summer jobs in Canada
• 35:38–37:56: Legendary wedding speeches
• 37:52–41:55: Rams, stage readings, losing your voice
• 41:56–45:26: School trips to DC, London, Edinburgh
• 49:45–52:19: Rosarito, Mexico, panther piggy bank
• 57:17–61:54: Speed round, Big Bear PR, Grand Canyon, Steelers/Tomlin anecdote

Tone & Style

The episode is candid, lively, and full of affectionate teasing. Seth and Josh’s brotherly rapport, Taran’s storytelling charisma, and a blend of nostalgia and reflective humor make it a rich, relatable, and entertaining listen—with many laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt reflections.

For those who missed it:
This episode offers a joyful, uproarious, and poignant journey through childhood adventures, parenting challenges, sibling rivalry and camaraderie, travel mishaps, and the making of family memories—told with the signature wit and affection of the Meyers brothers and their very game guest, Taran Killam.