This past Wednesday, the seventeenth, I went with my parents and one friend to see a live taping of Late Night with Seth Meyers and it was an absolute delight. Seeing the hilarious Adam Pally and talented Grouplove was fantastic. Of course, Tina Fey and Seth Meyers, two role models/heroes of mine were just wonderful! It still has not sunk in that I actually CONVERSED WITH SETH MEYERS and Tina Fey and Adam Pally were RIGHT THERE...my life, be still
At first, it was a bunch of chaos in the GE Building at 30 Rock, but we eventually reached Seth's floor. I got a glimpse of SNL’s main stage, but I had no time to gush over it as we took a hard right towards a different stage. There would be plenty of time for gushing in there.
The four of us sat in the audience’s left section and it was so incredible to see a place that had only been on my television screen before. (I went to a monologue rehearsal in February of that same year, but a new set was built since then.)
A comedian warmed up the crowd and The 8G Band sang “We’ve Got the Beat” by The Go-Go’s. That honestly would have been enough for me, but then Seth walked out to introduce us to the show a little bit. As he spoke about the history of his studio, my smile never left my face as I leaned forward at full attention.
“The Rosie O’Donnell Show actually taped right here in Studio 8G and some say she never left. So keep your eyes open for Rosie,” Seth said before eventually retreating to behind the stage so the band could play the theme song.
When he walked out again, I gave a standing ovation and felt awkward, but proud to be the only one doing so. I found myself standing once again when Tina Fey was introduced and my heart skipped every beat The 8G Band played. Her interview came after the standard talk show monologue followed by a sketch involving Seth’s “nephew,” Derek.
I could not even fathom that two of my inspirations were less than the length of a football field away from me. Of course laughter ensued because Tina and Seth are some of the funniest people to ever exist. She talked about This Is Where I Leave You and The Nest, detailing what it was like to have her kids playing with Amy Poehler’s, Maya Rudolph’s, and Rachel Dratch’s. With each mention of these comedic titans, I grew more and more delirious. She said Amy’s kids have “Poehler-Arnett faces,” Maya’s are “just so cool,” Rachel’s are “this small,” (as she gesticulated the shape of a very small child), and her’s are “two floating eyebrows.” The tears in my eyes from when Tina walked out had turned to tears of laughter.
Continuing on about her daughter, Tina provided many humorous anecdotes about how her kid thought her birthday surprise party was at a PetCo and she once wore a mask that strongly resembled Tina’s 30 Rock co-star, Alec Baldwin.
Just when I thought the interview was over, Tina was brought back to her chair after Adam Pally spoke to introduce a clip of former SNL writer, Paula Pell dancing with half of her shirt tied up and, yes, it was as hilariously weird as it sounds.
When the episode aired, it was interesting to see how the whole show was edited together, especially with Tina and Seth filming promos during a “commercial break.”
One notable moment from the show that was cut during post-production was a story Adam Pally told about killing an ostrich. Honestly, though, it was good that it was cut because I felt bad for every ostrich involved in the story. Pally finished his interview with three lackluster (on purpose) impressions of Adam Duritz from the Counting Crows, Liam Neeson, and Owen (or Luke) Wilson.
The episode’s taping concluded with a performance by Grouplove, singing “I’m with You.” It was quite loud and they also threw glitter all over the stage, so I bet the custodial staff was thrilled with that.
Before Grouplove’s song, though, Seth Meyers came into the audience for a question and answer period and my mind raced trying to come up with something to ask.
“Where’s Stefon?”
“Are you gonna come back to SNL to do your John Kerry impression?”
“When do you host SNL?”
After all these questions, I wanted to ask something different and perhaps even more stimulating to Seth. I know he is a huge fan of superheroes and I am quite familiar with the Marvel Cinematic Universe so I raised my hand with high hopes.
“Higher,” said Joe and my hand went up some more. Finally, Seth looked at me.
“Are...are you excited for Avengers 2?” I asked. (Yes, I’ll get to it.)
“I thought they were on the third, now,” Seth asked back. It turned to a Q and Q.
“No, the second one’s coming out in May.”
“Really? Cool. Yes, I’m very excited for Avengers 2.”
I immediately knew I blew it.
Seth finished answering the questions of the masses and we were eventually escorted out of the studio and back outside the building where we waited for the valet near Radio City Music Hall. During the fifteen minute waiting period, I cringed many times just thinking about the question I asked. First, I thought it was just lame and Seth did not really care, but now I realize he did because he loves superheroes. I think, to me, it just seems meaningless.
But there is meaning after all. It means I conversed with Seth Meyers. On the ride home, I arrived at this peace and knew what I would write in the inevitable essay about the entire experience.
I would just like to say to Seth Meyers: I’m not sorry about the question. Sure, I thought of better ones, but I’m still not sorry about it. I’m grateful.
