NEW YORK (AP) – When Seth Meyers has a disagreement with his wife or an absurd situation with his children, he says he can’t help but think of making a joke about it. I admitted it. The comedian and “Late Night with Seth Meyers” host turned some of those funny stories into his latest HBO/Max stand-up special, “Dad Man Walking.”
Myers’ last HBO special in 2019, “Robby Baby,” also explored his own adventures in parenting, with Meyers spending time with his children and wife Alexi Ashe after being cooped up with his family during the pandemic. He says he couldn’t help but write about his marriage.
“Unlike the evening shows, which are so closely tied to politics and the world we live in, this one is more about the kind of universal experience of being part of a family, which I always enjoy. Myers said in a recent article. Interview. “It’s really fun to be on stage and know that I’m not alone in what I’m feeling.”
The special was filmed live at the Vic Theater in Chicago, and Meyers talks about commonplace things like not knowing how to fold a stroller and the risks of playing board games with kids ages 8, 6, and 3. It caused a lot of laughter.
Myers said so far the kids have not objected to him talking about his funny behavior on stage. “I’m very good at saying things that seem okay,” he said. For now, they like to go on TV every now and then and make fun of his acts, but he knows that may stop as they get older. Lately, his oldest son hasn’t seemed too keen on the annual Thanksgiving turkey costume.
“The moment someone arrests you at school for wearing a turkey costume, it’s game over,” Myers said with a laugh. “But we give them permission…because my wife agreed to marry a comedian, but they didn’t choose it.”
One of the standout parts of this special is Alexi trying to get through airport security with a tub of hummus. Myers intended to keep it to himself, but he couldn’t resist giving it a try on stage. “I’m literally thinking in real time…I realized that not only is this story so funny, but this is a perfect example of the two of us in this marriage,” he said. “That fits perfectly with the theme I’m trying to do.”
Neil Brennan, the special’s director, suggests that despite Myers’ fame and acerbic personality, the humor lies in his relatable stories. “Does he have a lot of control over ‘Late Night’ and his home life? He has no control at all,” Brennan said with a laugh.
Brennan, who also directed “Robbie Baby,” says Meyers is completely indifferent when it comes to his family. “His conceit is like, ‘I’m a very good businessman…and I have all the power.’ I have all the power and whatever I say goes. . And when I get home, a bunch of people just want to use me to talk about lava.”
Known for her harsh political commentary, Meyers said the humor in her actions stems from her recognition of how men and women fail each other, and seeks to spread the blame evenly. says.
“I really hate to make a special case about a man complaining about his wife,” Myers said. He enjoys seeing both husbands and wives recognize themselves in his comedy. “Balance is very important to me. Taking both sides politically is a complete waste of time, but I try to have both sides in my marriage.”
Meyers also reflected on “Saturday Night Live” celebrating its 50th anniversary, saying he loved witnessing the “huge changes” of his time on the show. “I had so much fun just being there while watching Kristen Wiig, Fred Armisen, Andy Samberg, and Bill Hader become people who would become important parts of show business for the next 20 years. is.”
While there will always be naysayers who say “SNL” isn’t as entertaining as it used to be, Meyers said its “beautiful unevenness” is one of its most enduring qualities, likening it to watching live sports. .
“We don’t know what’s going to happen until it happens,” Myers said. “I’ve always said that some of the worst shows are great and some of the best shows are terrible. And no host can guarantee consistency.”
As for whether he’ll continue doing stand-up, Myers said it’s a pretty safe bet considering his family’s shenanigans. “They continue to provide content. Well, I can’t imagine that stopping anytime soon.”
