HCPSU Review: An Evening with Seth Meyers

For those who watch “Saturday Night Live,” you probably know him as the “Weekend Update” guy.  What you might not know is that Seth Meyers is also a head writer for “SNL” and, as he proved on Friday, a guy who knows a thing or two about how to make you laugh.  Rocking a pair of red Nike’s, Seth Meyers stepped out from behind his news desk and graced the BJC’s stage, which had been transformed with black curtains and multicolored lights to feel like a small comedy club.  For only $9.99, PSU students got to spend an evening with him before he returned to New York for the new season of “SNL,” which premieres Saturday, September 25th.

Meyers was introduced as a Steelers fan (causing an equal amount of cheers and boos from the crowd) and a fellow member of the Big Ten (he’s a Northwestern University alum).  He began the show with references to college life, including the idea of a futon as a terrible couch that transforms into a terrible bed and the phenomenon of junior guys going after freshman girls.  Meyers also poked fun at the oh-so-original name “State College.”  He went on to tell the audience a story of how, when he was in college, he and his fraternity brothers threw a bag of ricotta cheese off the roof of their house, which landed on a group of guys at the house next door.  In his words, they just knew that “there was a greater plan for the cheese!”

Another crowd favorite was Meyers’ advice to refuse if a group of girls ever asks you to take a picture of them, because every girl has to have the same picture taken on her own camera, each with a different pattern of flashes when you take the picture (so true).  As expected when talking about teenage girls, the topic of “Twilight” came up. As Meyers explained for the audience (complete with charades), Edward’s sparkly skin is just one more reason why he is every fan girl’s vampire obsession.  Meyers also channeled his interest in current events to make fun of the economy, the war in Afghanistan and Sarah Palin, attempting to illustrate how far away Alaska really is.

The last part of Meyers’ stand up routine included (drum roll, please) uncensored jokes from “Weekend Update”!  He included those with multiple punch lines, some of which were not aired on “SNL.”  In his best “Weekend Update” voice, Meyers told the audience that a man with no arms had been arrested for trying to steal a television, but it was okay—the police said he was unarmed. 

Audience members were given the opportunity to ask him questions at the end of the show.  We discovered that the Betty White episode of “Saturday Night Live” was one of his favorites, and he always appreciates the classic “SNL” skit “More Cowbell.”  He told everyone about his friendship with former “Weekend Update” co-host, Amy Poehler, who will be hosting the season premiere this Saturday.

Overall, Meyers put on a great performance, showcasing his true talent as a comedian.  The audience got to know a bit more about the man behind the news desk, who showed he certainly can command a stage.

Did you see Seth Meyers? What did you think? Do you watch "SNL" regularly? Who's your favorite cast member?