Inside the Writers’ Room: How Seth Meyers & the Team Behind Late Night with Seth Meyers Keeps It Sharp, Smart, and Seriously Funny

The Late Night with Seth Meyers team recently sat down with us for an in-depth conversation that offered fans a rare peek behind the curtain. From the careful crafting of jokes to the joyful chaos of segments like “Day Drinking” and “Corrections,” host Seth Meyers and his writing team shared the secrets of what makes their show one of the sharpest and most innovative in late night TV. We were joined by host & writer Seth Meyers, head writer Alex Baze, “A Closer Look” writing supervisor Sal Gentile, writer Jenny Hagel, and writing supervisors Seth Reiss and Mike Scollins.

Head writer Alex Baze compared leading the room to visiting a grocery store rather than ordering off a menu. “You don’t come in with a recipe,” he said. “You see what’s available that day and cook something unexpected.” This improvisational spirit powers the show’s creativity, letting each writer’s distinct voice shine.

Seth Meyers echoed the sentiment: “If we get the best of what’s unique to each writer, that’s when the show elevates.” Rather than molding everyone to sound like him, Meyers embraces their diverse perspectives—resulting in a dynamic, authentic voice that resonates with viewers.

Segments like “A Closer Look,” led by Sal Gentile, showcase the team’s knack for building smart, thesis-driven comedy that still allows for rabbit-hole tangents and absurd detours. The balance between structure and play is key. “The structure gives us the freedom to stray, because the audience knows we’ll come back,” Gentile explained. The result? A smart, informative piece of satire that doesn’t sacrifice punchlines for points—or vice versa.

Perhaps no segment better captures the team’s ability to manage mayhem than “Day Drinking.” While it looks spontaneous, it’s meticulously planned. “I’m very stressed going into it,” Meyers admitted. “But once we start, the silliness kicks in. There’s a lot of writing behind the madness.” Seth Reiss added, “The silliest ideas from the whole staff often find a home there.” Think unicorn horns, eggnog jokes, and games built for buzzed celebrities—equal parts brilliant and bonkers.

One unique hallmark of Late Night is how the writers themselves are woven into the narrative. Through segments like “Surprise Inspection” audiences learn who’s behind the jokes—and occasionally who to blame when a groaner lands. “It started during the pandemic,” Meyers said. “We were just trying to connect. Now it’s part of the show’s DNA.”

The audience plays along too, especially in the fan-favorite “Corrections,” where Meyers roasts YouTube commenters who catch his flubs. It’s become a loving game of gotcha—with “jackals,” as he calls them—creating one of the nicest comment sections on the internet.

While segments and sketches allow for wild creativity, writing tight, two-line monologue jokes is an entirely different muscle. “I’d rather work on the docks than write monologue jokes,” Meyers joked, praising his team’s dedication to the craft. Baze, who curates each joke for Seth’s voice, added, “After 17 years, I just know what sounds like Seth.”

Meyers, for his part, knows where to lean in and where to step back. “I realized I had to focus where I added the most value, and that was on segments like A Closer Look,” he said. “I’m lucky that everyone else makes choices that delight me later.”

The team ended with advice for those hoping to follow in their footsteps. Across the board, the message was: do the work, find your people, and keep your day job until it makes sense not to.

“Be around people who are doing the kind of comedy you want to do,” said Hagel. “Do shows, write sketches, and build your own voice.”

As Late Night with Seth Meyers continues to evolve, one thing is clear: it’s a show built on genuine collaboration, joy in the work, and a fierce commitment to making people laugh—one carefully chosen word at a time.

Watch the full conversation below:

Q&A with the Late Night with Seth Meyers writing team including host & writer Seth Meyers, head writer Alex Baze, “A Closer Look” writing supervisor Sal Gentile, writer Jenny Hagel, and writing supervisors Seth Reiss and Mike Scollins. Moderated by Mara Webster, In Creative Company.

\With his signature monologue and sharp newsy segments like "A Closer Look," Seth Meyers hilariously breaks down the day's biggest stories and takes the current political circus head-on. He then welcomes Hollywood's most beloved A-list guests, as well as people not seen anywhere else in late night, like political figures and other interesting newsmakers. With fan-favorite comedy segments that become viral sensations, and the talented 8G band at his side, Seth consistently brings home the last laugh.