A Lesson in Humility: Seth Meyers and the Hole in His Office

A Hole in Seth Meyers’s Office: A Lesson in Humility

A Hole in Seth Meyers's Office: A Lesson in Humility

For an astonishing seven years, there was a noticeable hole in Seth Meyers’s office at “Saturday Night Live.” This peculiar blemish was the result of a moment of frustration when a sketch he had written was unexpectedly cut in favor of another piece. In a fit of what he described as “door-slamming petulance,” Meyers forcefully swung open the dressing room door, causing the handle to crash through the wall. It was a moment of anger that left a lasting mark.

Michael Shoemaker, a producer on the show and someone who has become one of Meyers’s closest professional allies, took an unconventional approach to this incident. Instead of rushing to repair the damage, he insisted that the crater remain untouched. “I want you to see it every day,” Meyers recalled Shoemaker saying, “I want you to remember how small of a thing it was.” It was Shoemaker’s way of imparting a valuable lesson in humility and reflection.

Shoemaker’s response to Meyers’s outburst was straightforward: “Stop it,” he told him. He also echoed the wisdom of Meyers’s father, whom he had grown to know well: “When something goes wrong, you have to think, what is it that you did that you could have done better?” This advice served as a reminder for Meyers to take responsibility and learn from his mistakes.

While this tale of aggravated pettiness might seem at odds with the affable persona that Meyers has cultivated over more than two decades in the television industry, it provides a deeper understanding of his character. After spending 13 years on “S.N.L.,” with the last eight as the anchor of Weekend Update, he transitioned into a decade of hosting “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” where he has been known for his charming yet incisive comedic style.

In 2019, he showcased a similarly engaging tone in his first stand-up special, “Lobby Baby,” which humorously chronicled the birth of his second child in an unexpected location, as the title suggests. This special highlighted his ability to blend personal stories with humor effectively.

Now, as Meyers prepares to debut his new HBO special, “Dad Man Walking,” on Saturday, the notion that he could embody an antagonist—albeit in a lighthearted and humorous manner—begins to resonate more clearly. This new special focuses on the realities of parenting, particularly the acknowledgment that “good parents have moments where they really hate what their kids are doing,” Meyers explained. Although the tone may seem broadly cantankerous, it reveals a facet of Meyers that has always been present: a candid exploration of the trials and tribulations of parenthood.

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