The Late Night studio is about to experience a significant change. The house band for “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” known as The 8G Band, will not be returning in person for the show’s 12th season, which is set to premiere in September. This decision, as reported by Vulture, is a result of budget cuts at NBC.
Eli Janney, the band’s keyboardist, who performs alongside lead guitarist Seth Jabour, bassist Syd Butler, and occasionally drummer Fred Armisen, revealed that the show’s upcoming revamp is driven by financial constraints. According to Janney, both Seth Meyers and the show’s showrunner, Mike Shoemaker, informed the band earlier this spring about the budget cuts while Season 11 was still airing.
“They expressed their regret and frustration about it,” Janney said. “They had been trying to work it out for months, but in the end, NBC was adamant about where they wanted the budget to go. It’s not just the band; there’s a whole crew that works with the band, so there’s a lot of people employed. I think this was an easy way for them to cut the budget. ‘Easy’ is not the right word. There’s a lot of strong emotions. No one is happy about it.”
NBC has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
Janney also mentioned that while the band will not be performing live, they will still contribute to the show by creating walk-on music for Meyers and his guests. “We’re still going to make walk-on music for Meyers and his guests, but we just won’t be playing it live. So that will continue. That’s one nice thing they’ve worked out,” he added.
The departure of The 8G Band marks the end of a live music era for the “Late Night” franchise. Janney acknowledged the significance of this change, noting that previous hosts like David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, and Jimmy Fallon had their own in-house bands, which added a unique element to their shows.
“It’s also just a sad day for Late Night, because it’s been going for over 40 years now,” Janney continued. “But, sadly, it’s the reality of broadcast and a shrinking market — streaming eating into this, and YouTube eating into that. Streaming is not making money, either. So budgets everywhere have been cut and cut and cut. I liken it to a Spotify moment in music, where suddenly it’s like, ‘Nobody wants to pay for music.’ Music gets devalued.”
The news of The 8G Band’s departure has left many fans and viewers of “Late Night with Seth Meyers” disappointed. The band has been an integral part of the show, providing live music and adding to the overall atmosphere. Their absence will undoubtedly be felt when the show returns for its 12th season.
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, budget cuts and financial constraints have become increasingly common. The impact of streaming services and online platforms has led to significant changes in how traditional television shows operate. Unfortunately, these changes often result in difficult decisions, such as the one made by NBC regarding The 8G Band.
While the band will no longer be performing live, their continued contribution to the show’s walk-on music ensures that their presence will still be felt, albeit in a different capacity. Fans of the show will undoubtedly miss the live performances, but they can take solace in knowing that The 8G Band’s music will still be a part of “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”
The departure of The 8G Band serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the entertainment industry in an ever-changing landscape. As streaming services and online platforms continue to grow, traditional television shows must adapt to remain relevant and financially viable. Unfortunately, this often means making difficult decisions that impact the people and elements that have been a part of the show’s success.
As “Late Night with Seth Meyers” prepares for its 12th season, viewers will be watching closely to see how the show adapts to these changes. The absence of The 8G Band will undoubtedly be felt, but the show’s continued success will depend on its ability to evolve and find new ways to engage its audience.
In the meantime, fans of The 8G Band can look back on their memorable performances and appreciate the contributions they made to “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” While their live presence may be gone, their music will continue to be a part of the show’s legacy.
