Seth Meyers Discusses Anxiety Over Potential Show Cancellation
Seth Meyers recently shared his concerns regarding his mental health amid talk of potential show cancellations, particularly referencing the fate of Stephen Colbert’s program, which NBC ended. He opened up about his feelings during an appearance on Dax Shepard’s podcast, Armchair Expert.
“You start worrying about your own mental health,” Meyers remarked about the possibility of his show being canceled “tomorrow.” He mentioned that if faced with such a situation, he would consider other comedic avenues, like stand-up, while also thinking about broadening his skill set.
“Sure, it might have been okay financially just doing shows for over a decade. But there’s something about trying to build a stand-up career, you know?” he reflected, acknowledging the uncertainty of it all.
Meyers admitted that he has no say in the decisions made by NBC’s higher-ups. “I’ve shifted away from the fear of not being good enough, but now my fears seem to stem from things beyond my control,” he noted. He expressed the oddity of feeling a lack of control despite understanding that just showing up to work is what he’s being paid to do.
However, he tried not to dwell on the stressful aspects of his career. “Sometimes I think, well, maybe this isn’t the ideal time for my work. Yet, I’m grateful to be here,” he added. His connection to his work gave him comfort, stating, “I feel like my work identity has significance.” He believes that a shared understanding with others exists, even if it’s hard to articulate.
In recent news, CBS announced the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show, labeling it a “financial decision.” Colbert is set to “retire from the Late Show franchise” in May 2026, which executives described as a decision unrelated to the show’s content or performance, focusing instead on financial factors.
This announcement followed Colbert’s public condemnation of a $16 million settlement involving President Donald Trump, which he termed a “big fat bribe,” connected to the merger with Skydance. Critics suggested that the cancellation might be politically motivated, noting the significant financial sacrifices involved, including a $40 million annual loss and maintaining a full crew of 200 individuals. Trump himself expressed delight at Colbert’s firing, assessing Colbert’s talent as overrated.
Colbert, in response, had a sharp retort aimed at Trump, expressing his disdain in colorful terms.
