Seth Meyers Takes Surprising Dig at His Own Network

Seth Meyers is used to cracking up his live studio audience four nights per week as the long-running host of NBC’s Late Night. But on Monday, he delivered a joke at the expense of his own network that had some NBC advertisers squirming in their seats (while stifling a laugh).

As TheWrap reports, Meyers was on hand Monday for NBCUniversal’s upfront presentation—that magical annual event where the television network shows off their upcoming slate to advertisers and media buyers. The moment came when the comedian introduced Dig, a new Peacock comedy that will see Meyers’ former SNL “Weekend Update” co-host reunite with Parks and Recreation creator Michael Schur.

“Dig follows four women who work at an archeological dig in Greece who uncover a long-buried secret,” Meyers said, before adding: “Well, if it’s a long-buried secret at NBC, I’m guessing it’s Matt Lauer.”

“I’ve been told to wrap it up there,” he noted.

Though Lauer was one of NBC’s biggest names for more than two decades as a news anchor-turned-co-host of Today from 1994 through 2017 and a contributor to Dateline, he was terminated following a sexual misconduct investigation. Though the initial complaint from a former NBC producer, other allegations followed. Lauer, now 67, always maintained his innocence in the matter. He did, however, acknowledge that he had an “extramarital, but consensual, sexual encounter” with the original accuser.

Meyers didn’t leave his network ribbing at just Lauer. He also had some fun mocking Versant, Comcast NBCUniversal’s new home of a group of cable networks including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel.

“Remember to ask your doctor if Versant is right for you,” Meyers quipped. “When I heard the company was called Versant, I thought it’s official: There are no good names left. Imagine being jealous that someone beat you to Tubi.”