Seth Meyers has decades of experience in late-night TV between his time on Saturday Night Live and as host of Late Night. Still, the comedian doesn't get used to seeing any show go off the air.
Meyers has been around to see shows like Lights Out with David Spade, The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee go off the air. He's also watched as fellow hosts like James Corden and Conan O'Brien signed off for the final time.
Now, another late-night TV show is ready to end production. CBS announced After Midnight will end after two seasons. Host Taylor Tomlinson indicated a desire to return to stand-up despite an offer from the network for a third season. CBS also indicated it won't try to fill the timeslot, previously occupied by The Late Late Show with James Corden, with another late-night TV show.
Meyers lamented the loss of After Midnight and CBS' choice not to replace it with another show at 12:35 a.m., the same time Late Night with Seth Meyers airs.
“It always just sort of breaks my heart because this was just such a cool destination for people in comedy,” Meyers told Deadline. “You know, I was lucky enough to have this obviously be the step for me after SNL.”
After Midnight boasted a different take on the late-night TV format. Tomlinson hosted and moderated a rotating panel of comedians. Meyers made a point to highlight the gap created by the show's end.
"The cool thing that After Midnight was doing was not only did they have a host, it was also a really nice place for three comedians to get to do their thing,” Meyers reflected. “So, it’s disappointing. It’s never good when comedy platforms go away.”
After Midnight welcomed Saturday Night Live alumni back to late-night TV
Meyers is absolutely correct in his explanation of why After Midnight's end is such a loss. Where as most late-night TV shows only have room for one stand-up comedian to perform or sit for an interview, the CBS show had triple the opportunities.
Many Saturday Night Live alumni found a second late-night TV home on the Tomlinson-led show. Sasheer Zamata, Taran Killam, Melissa Villasenor, Rob Riggle, Ana Gasteyer, Kevin Nealon, Jay Pharoah, Chris Redd, and Bobby Moynihan all appeared on After Midnight.
The good news for Meyers is that his show isn't going anywhere anytime soon. His contract to host Late Night on NBC runs through 2028. After Midnight airs its final episode in June 2025.