NBC is not cancelling "Late Night" from its regular lineup, but it's definitely tightening its belt with regards to the show's budget. Starting in the fall, "The 8G Band," a distinctive fixture of Seth Meyers' program since its inception in 2014, will no longer be a regular sight on the NBC late-night show. Eli Janney, the band's keyboardist, revealed to Vulture on Tuesday that the trio had been informed in recent weeks that due to budget constraints, they would no longer be a regular component of the show.
"In essence, NBC was resolute about reallocating the budget elsewhere," Janney shared with the entertainment-news outlet. "It's not solely the band that's affected; there's an entire team that works alongside us, so numerous individuals are involved. I believe this was a convenient way for them to trim the budget, albeit 'convenient' isn't quite the right word to describe it."
NBC declined to comment, citing the unavailability of executives, but a source close to the program confirmed that the band will indeed cease to appear on the show starting in the fall.
In May, NBC proudly announced the renewal of "Late Night With Seth Meyers" through 2028, a testament to its unwavering support for the program amidst speculation surrounding its future in an era where late-night television faces increasing scrutiny. Despite remaining cultural icons, the changing viewing habits of audiences - browsing clips via social media rather than tuning in live - have taken a toll on ratings, forcing broadcasters to reevaluate the financial viability of their late-night offerings.
In recent years, several hosts have bid farewell to their late-night gigs, including James Corden, Conan O'Brien, Trevor Noah, and Samantha Bee. Networks like CBS and Comedy Central have responded by developing cost-effective alternatives, with CBS replacing "The Late Late Show" with "@fter Midnight," a game show format featuring host Taylor Tomlinson and a rotating trio of comedians. Meanwhile, Comedy Central's "Daily Show" features host Jon Stewart once a week, with the program's team of correspondents filling the remaining slots in its four-day-per-week schedule.
A consistent fixture in Meyers' show has been The 8G Band, a group recruited by former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Fred Armisen. Comprised of Janney on drums, guitarist Seth Jabour, and bass player Syd Butler, the band features a rotating drummer each week, while Armisen makes occasional appearances.
The presence of a band has been a staple of late-night television for decades, with musicians like Paul Shaffer, Max Weinberg, Kevin Eubanks, Reggie Watts, and Doc Severinsen renowned for their collaborations with David Letterman, Jay Leno, James Corden, and Johnny Carson, respectively. CBS' "Late Show with Stephen Colbert" has relied on the talents of Jon Batiste and now Louis Cato, while The Roots occupy a pivotal role in NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Even "Saturday Night Live," since its inception in 1975, has always been accompanied by a band, adding an extra layer of energy and excitement to the proceedings.
