NBC has notified the house band for Late Night With Seth Meyers that their services will no longer be required, starting from season 12 this fall. This marks a significant shift for the show, which has consistently featured live performances from its 8G Band. This decision stems from recent budget cuts at Comcast, the parent company of NBC.
Eli Janney, the band’s keyboardist, revealed in an interview that both Meyers and showrunner Mike Shoemaker conveyed their regret and frustration over the decision after months of negotiations. In the end, NBC was adamant about where they wanted the budget to go
, Janney said. The layoffs include not just the band but a crew that works closely with them.
The 8G Band replaced The Roots when Seth Meyers took over the Late Night desk from Jimmy Fallon. The band was fronted by Meyers’ old SNL colleague, Fred Armisen, who would frequently leave and return to the group over the past 12 years.
Known for their unique addition of guest drummers in Armisen’s absence, the 8G Band provided a dynamic musical element to the show. While they may no longer appear live consistently, they will continue to pre-record tracks for the show’s producers to play on air. Janney highlights potential future musical endeavors: We hope to try all kinds of things, like having some of our favorite drummers from our guest-drummers program back
.
This move reflects broader shifts within broadcast entertainment as it grapples with shrinking market shares due to streaming services like YouTube and Peacock. As Janney mentioned, Streaming is not making money either. So budgets everywhere have been cut and cut and cut
.
For longtime followers of the show, the departure of live music marks a poignant moment of transition. Late-night shows have traditionally featured live bands as a staple element since their inception. These bands, including Kevin Eubanks on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, added an invaluable layer of engagement and excitement for audiences, both in-studio and at home.
The cultural impact of losing these live performances speaks volumes about changes within the television industry today. Live bands like the 8G Band were more than just a gimmick; they helped maintain an energy that carried special guests and captivated viewers nightly.
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