An Absurdly Permissive Seth Meyers Won Late Night This Week

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With the Super Bowl just around the corner, late-night shows were packed with sponsored content this week. Katseye appeared in three separate videos on The Tonight Show, promoting a State Farm commercial that will air right after the kickoff. They even discussed it with Jimmy Fallon and the famous Jake from State Farm on the show! Honestly, considering how easily popular late-night shows can be canceled, maybe we should just accept and enjoy these brand partnerships when they happen.

This week’s late night shows featured some interesting promotional moments beyond the usual interviews. Amber Ruffin used her appearance to promote her new play, and Guillermo gifted Kate Hudson with his own brand of salsa. Jimmy Fallon also seems to have a growing relationship with the famous Sardi’s restaurant – this week, they rebuilt a Sardi’s booth on The Tonight Show for Ethan Hawke, complete with original caricatures and custom dishes. This follows a similar event for Billy Crudup’s portrait unveiling. It’s hard to say if these collaborations are about business or just Fallon’s love for Broadway, but they’re definitely happening. Here’s a look at other highlights from late night this week.

5.
Famous Kids Say the Darndest Things on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=NumjL62EfV0

Jimmy Kimmel had a great interview with young actor Duke McCloud, known for his role in All Her Fault and his fashion sense. The kid is clearly comfortable in front of the camera – Kimmel even tried to get him to say a bad word on live TV, but Duke didn’t fall for it! He seemed like a normal kid, which was reassuring, and his cute habit of whispering when he thought he was being mischievous was particularly endearing. He was a little confused about how microphones work, but it was a sweet moment.

4.
Jon Stewart Addresses His Epstein Files Name-Drop

https://youtube.com/watch?v=cwXIq81eE24?si=GVDTwEAxP0-HvNqj

Jon Stewart, like many of us, checked the recently released Epstein files to see if his name appeared. Surprisingly, it did. He discussed this on Monday’s episode of The Daily Show. The files also revealed a proposal for a Woody Allen special on streaming services, with a suggestion that Jon Stewart narrate a potential Allen biopic. Stewart was bothered not by being considered, but by the fact they didn’t directly offer him the job. It was refreshing to see someone mentioned in the files openly address it. He was also rightfully angry that those named in connection with sex crimes likely won’t face any repercussions. No one delivers a passionate complaint on late-night television quite like Jon Stewart, which is precisely why he’d be perfect to narrate a Woody Allen biopic.

3.
Amanda Batula’s Unbothered on WWHL

Amanda Batula from Summer House seemed relaxed and open during her appearance on Watch What Happens Live Tuesday night. She candidly discussed her breakup with Kyle Cooke, and fellow guest Ciara Miller cheerfully admitted that everyone is happy to see Amanda single. The positive energy was contagious – exactly the vibe Watch What Happens Live aims for, and often hits the mark with. Both Amanda and Ciara jokingly credited Prozac with helping them stay balanced, suggesting the pharmaceutical company should consider sponsoring them – it felt like a natural advertisement.

2.
Sir Ian McKellen Orates on The Late Show

Ian McKellen wasn’t the only guest on the Late Show to speak out about the recent ICE crackdowns and the growing opposition to them—Mark Ruffalo’s “ICE OUT” pin was a nice touch—but he was unique in his approach. At the close of his interview with Stephen Colbert, McKellen powerfully recited a speech Shakespeare penned for the play Sir Thomas More. The speech beautifully highlights the shared humanity of immigrants and the cruelty of rejecting them. It was a truly moving performance.

1.
Guests Running Wild on Late Night

https://youtube.com/watch?v=8e85gtvquw4?si=oYO3mIMbqH0sz80O
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=hcdVvgxAQCk

If Seth Meyers knows you well, he’ll introduce you on Late Night as a “friend,” which is a nice way to connect with both you and the audience watching at home. He really lets his friends have free rein on the show, allowing them to do some pretty wild things. It started on Monday with Paula Pell doing a whole bit where she pretended to be pregnant and gave birth to… a ham she’d stolen at Christmas! Then, Amber Ruffin tried to pressure Seth into sharing embarrassing photos. James Acaster followed up on Wednesday with a long story about Seth doing something outrageous with a dog for a live episode of Taskmaster. And on Thursday, John Early claimed he was on vocal rest and just whispered his entire appearance. Meyers consistently lets his ‘friends’ – not just guests – be completely themselves, no matter how unusual.

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2026-02-06 18:54