Detailed Summary of "On with Kara Swisher" - Episode: Seth Meyers on Parenting, Podcasting & Late Night (Released October 24, 2024)

In this engaging episode of "On with Kara Swisher," host Kara Swisher sits down with Seth Meyers, the acclaimed host of NBC's Late Night with Seth Meyers. The conversation delves into Seth's multifaceted career in comedy and television, his new stand-up special, his approach to parenting, the evolving landscape of late-night television, the rise of podcasting, and his perspectives on politics and artificial intelligence. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. Introduction to Seth Meyers [02:12 - 04:46]

Kara Swisher opens the episode by introducing Seth Meyers, highlighting his extensive background with Saturday Night Live (SNL), where he not only starred for 13 seasons but also served as head writer for nine seasons. Meyers has garnered over 30 Emmy nominations and is a best-selling author. Beyond television, he continues to perform stand-up comedy, with his latest special, "Dad Man Walking," premiering on HBO Max on October 26th.

Notable Quote:

• Seth Meyers [02:01]: "It's on."

2. Stand-Up Comedy: "Dad Man Walking" vs. "Lobby Baby" [04:29 - 06:10]

Kara and Seth discuss his new stand-up special, "Dad Man Walking," which serves as a follow-up to his 2019 Netflix special, "Lobby Baby." Both specials center around parenting, but "Dad Man Walking" incorporates more personal anecdotes about his family life.

Notable Quote:

• Seth Meyers [04:46]: "The most important thing to me is that my kids are happy. But I also love when they're material." [04:46]

3. Family and Comedy: Balancing Humor and Privacy [05:21 - 07:44]

The conversation shifts to how Seth integrates his family into his comedy. Kara expresses concerns about overexposure, but Seth assures that he maintains a balance, ensuring his children are portrayed affectionately and with their consent when they are older and can understand the context.

Notable Quote:

• Seth Meyers [06:10]: "I'm very cognizant of the fact that, by the time they hit 12 or 13, they will have permission to say, 'Hey, I'm off limits.'" [06:10]

4. The Evolving Landscape of Stand-Up Specials [19:10 - 23:27]

Seth shares his experiences with stand-up specials across different platforms. He reflects on his initial positive experience with Netflix for "Lobby Baby" and contrasts it with his recent collaboration with HBO for "Dad Man Walking," noting HBO's more curated approach. He also comments on the growing number of streaming platforms entering the stand-up scene, fostering greater diversity and opportunities for comedians.

Notable Quote:

• Seth Meyers [21:15]: "I say that having had nothing but a positive experience. And the other thing for me is, I've worked for the same company for almost 25 years, so anytime I can work with a different person, it's just exciting." [21:15]

5. Late Night Television: Challenges and Adaptations [25:06 - 30:41]

Seth delves into the current state of late-night television, acknowledging the decline in traditional viewership and advertising revenues. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to new media consumption habits, such as streaming and online platforms. Seth expresses optimism about the future, believing in the creativity and resilience of the industry to find new revenue models and audience engagement strategies.

Notable Quote:

• Seth Meyers [28:13]: "Creatively, it's such a wonderful home to be able to do four shows a week... I can't imagine replacing it with anything else that would be more exhilarating." [28:13]

6. Popular Segments and Creative Processes [31:36 - 37:11]

Kara highlights recurring segments from Seth's show, including "Day Drinking," where Seth takes guests out for a day of drinks while engaging in humorous banter. They discuss the origins of these segments, emphasizing spontaneity and genuine interaction as key elements that resonate with audiences.

Notable Quote:

• Seth Meyers [33:03]: "It's so much fun to stay in one location, come up with dumb games, drink stupid drinks, and just get drunk on camera." [33:03]

7. Politics and Comedy: Navigating a Polarized Audience [43:18 - 47:19]

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the intersection of politics and comedy in late-night television. Seth addresses critiques about the left-leaning bias of his show and other similar programs, contrasting them with successful right-leaning shows like Fox's Gutfeld. He argues that authenticity and a clear point of view are essential, and that audiences seek genuine perspectives rather than neutral commentary.

Notable Quote:

• Seth Meyers [43:32]: "I think if we were doing a talk show from the mid-90s, where it was just desk pieces and no point of view, those shows would be off the air right now." [43:32]

8. Diversity in Late Night: Challenges and Progress [50:43 - 52:14]

Kara brings up the ongoing issue of diversity in late-night shows, noting the recent cancellation of diverse programs like The Amber Ruffin Show. Seth responds by expressing frustration over these cancellations despite critical acclaim and accolades. He emphasizes the importance of supporting diverse voices and acknowledges the efforts made but recognizes more needs to be done.

Notable Quote:

• Seth Meyers [51:19]: "When we realized we were lucky enough to have a show like this and when we had somebody as talented as Amber, we are trying to do everything we can to get voices like her out there." [51:19]

9. Artificial Intelligence: Its Impact on Comedy [52:14 - 53:55]

The discussion shifts to the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in comedy. Seth expresses skepticism about using AI in his creative process, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human creativity and collaboration. He acknowledges that while AI might aid in generating content, it cannot replicate the nuanced humor developed through personal experiences and interactions.

Notable Quote:

• Seth Meyers [53:30]: "I don't use it at all. I don't even know how I would go about using it." [53:30]

10. Reflections on Comedy and Future Directions [54:06 - 57:56]

Seth reflects on his comedic journey, comparing the traditional path of moving to Chicago and performing live to the modern landscape where comedians leverage platforms like YouTube and TikTok from their own spaces. He expresses admiration for younger comedians' ability to create and distribute content independently, while also yearning for the collaborative environments that shaped his early career.

Notable Quote:

• Seth Meyers [55:11]: "It's so crazy that what we did was crazy. And I'm glad that I know when you say, 'What would I be doing?' I know it wouldn't be what I did 30 years ago." [55:11]

11. Conclusion: Final Thoughts and Encouragement [57:42 - End]

Kara wraps up the interview by praising Seth's thoughtful insights and promoting his new stand-up special, encouraging listeners to watch it on HBO Max. Seth reciprocates the appreciation, highlighting the delightful nature of the conversation and reiterating his commitment to authentic comedy.

Notable Quote:

• Kara Swisher [57:36]: "Your special is out this weekend. It's called 'Dad Man Walking.' I stayed up till 3am watching it. It was great." [57:36]

Key Takeaways:

• Authenticity in Comedy: Seth Meyers emphasizes the importance of being genuine and maintaining a clear point of view in his comedic and late-night endeavors.

• Adaptation to New Media: The late-night industry is navigating challenges related to declining traditional viewership by embracing streaming, podcasts, and online platforms to reach broader and younger audiences.

• Balancing Personal Life and Public Persona: Seth carefully integrates his family life into his comedy, ensuring his children's privacy and consent while still drawing inspiration from personal experiences.

• Diversity and Representation: Despite progress, there are ongoing challenges in ensuring diverse voices are represented and sustained in late-night programming.

• Future of Comedy and AI: While AI presents new tools for content creation, Seth values the irreplaceable human element in crafting meaningful and relatable humor.

This episode offers a deep dive into Seth Meyers' multifaceted career and his thoughtful perspectives on the evolving landscape of comedy and late-night television. Listeners are encouraged to watch his new special, "Dad Man Walking," and stay tuned for more insightful conversations on "On with Kara Swisher."