Late Night with Seth Meyers turns 10: See then-and-now pics from the first episode
By Matt Moore
Late Night with Seth Meyers turned 10 this week, marking a decade of late-night TV excellence. Seth Meyers and his team have come a long way, and the pictures prove it.
The fourth iteration of Late Night premiered on September 24, 2015. Saturday Night Live alum Seth Meyers succeeded Jimmy Fallon and added his name to the list of hosts that also included Conan O'Brien and David Letterman.
Meyers weathered mixed reviews at the start of his tenure. From the beginning, it was clear he was still in SNL mode. His monologue and delivery drew comparisons to his "Weekend Update" stint. The guest lineup leaned heavily on those from the SNL universe, and Meyers seemed most comfortable talking to those with whom he shared common ground.
But Meyers (and the Late Night set) improved with time. Like the rest of late-night TV, the show got a jolt around 2015 when politics dominated nearly every facet of media. Meyers quickly became a trusted and celebrated voice in part for his "Closer Look" segments and contributions from Amber Heard and Jenny Hagel.
Ten years after the premiere, Late Night celebrated by inviting back the same guest lineup as the premiere. Meyers' SNL castmate and "Weekend Update" co-anchor Amy Poehler returned. So too did President Joe Biden.
Looking back at the pictures of the major players from the Late Night with Seth Meyers premiere shows how far they've come ... and what 10 years can do when you have a stressful, taxing job.
Seth Meyers in 2014
Seth Meyers got the Late Night gig in 2014. At the time, he was 40 years old. His tenure at Saturday Night Live ended five months prior to starting his hosting job.
NBC had announced plans for Meyers to take over for Jimmy Fallon a year earlier. So it wasn't like Meyers stepped away from SNL without anything lined up. He quickly found the next chapter in his comedy career could be equally rewarding.
Seth Meyers in 2024
Meyers is now 50 years old and part of a group of experienced late-night TV hosts. In February 2021, Meyers signed a contract extension with NBC that will keep him at Late Night through 2025.
On the personal side, Meyers and his wife Alexi Ashe have welcomed three children during his Late Night tenure.
Fred Armisen in 2014
Saturday Night Live fans were thrilled to hear Fred Armisen would play a big role in Late Night with Seth Meyers. Armisen leads The 8G Band, playing drums for the in-house band.
Armisen had left SNL in 2013. At the time, he ranked as the third-longest tenure cast member behind Darrell Hammond and Seth Meyers. He also returned to late-night during the height of his success with Portlandia.
Fred Armisen was 47 years old when Late Night with Seth Meyers premiered.
Fred Armisen in 2024
Ten years later, Fred Armisen is still the leader of the 8G Band. While his other acting and music obligations mean he's not there every night, Armisen remains a major part of Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Meyers has the luxury of having one of the funniest improvisers on television just a few feet away. A recurring bit involves Meyers setting up Armisen with something the drummer allegedly said or a new project he's involved in. Armisen rolls with it and rarely ever misfires.
Armisen, now 57, was there for the 10th anniversary special of Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Amy Poehler in 2014
There was no better guest for Seth Meyers to welcome on his first episode than Amy Poehler. The duo spent years behind the "Weekend Update" desk together, ranking among the best to ever do it at Saturday Night Live.
Poehler, 42 at the time, was nearing the end of her run on Parks and Recreation. The NBC series was already established as a modern comedy classic. She had left SNL back in 2008 after becoming one of the sketch show's best performers and writers.
Amy Poehler in 2024
Amy Poehler remains one of the funniest people in comedy ten years later. That certainly isn't surprising, given her talent and eye for projects.
In 2024, Poehler stars as the voice of Joy in Inside Out 2. She also had a run of sold-out live shows with Tina Fey.
Poehler returned to Late Night with Seth Meyers for the 10th anniversary, marking her 18th appearance on the late-night show.
Joe Biden in 2014
Getting a sitting vice president on a late-night TV show is a pretty big get. That's especially true when it was the premiere episode.
But that's exactly what happened on Late Night with Seth Meyers 10 years ago. Vice President Joe Biden joined Meyers and Poehler for a light-hearted chat.
At the time, Biden was 71 years old and likely thought he was done with public service. However, he wasn't done with politics ... or Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Joe Biden in 2024
Joe Biden was the only one on this list who got a job promotion during the 10 years between episodes. The president surprised the Late Night studio audience when he came out after Amy Poehler.
Biden sat for an extended interview that had a much more serious subject matter than a decade ago. But it may have been his trip for ice cream with Meyers that got the most attention.
Now 81, Biden is gearing up for another election. Whether or not he'll be back on Late Night with Seth Meyers remains to be seen.