Our 10 favorite late night moments of 2021
December 31, 2021 Andrew Buss Features, Lists, News
2021 saw a return of form to the talk show appearances that we’re custom to. Slowly but surely, we saw less zoom interviews (although they still occasionally happen from time to time) and more in person interviews. And so we figured we’d take a look back at some of our favorite talk show moments that occurred in 2021.
Nikki Glaser’s wardrobe malfunction
Earlier this year, Nikki Glaser appeared on The Tonight Show over Zoom from her St. Louis home. After a normal introduction from Fallon, Glaser appears on the screen. And right at the jump, she made an expansive enough arm gesture that literally caused her top to break, leading to a hilariously uncomfortable wardrobe malfunction.
Tracy Morgan wants to be Superman
Any time you have Tracy Morgan on your show, you can throw out any plans you had for the interview segment. Tracy is going to take things over and take you on whatever journey he feels like taking you on. This time, Morgan came out dressed as Superman and told Jimmy Kimmel that he wants to be the first black Superman. He also detailed the things that he would have to make his own in his version. And it pretty much goes as expected from there.
Jon Stewart is Stephen Colbert’s first live guest in over a year
With the exception of socially distanced conversations with Joe Biden and Barack Obama, Stephen Colbert went over a year without doing a single interview in-person. So when he finally did return to live shows and in-person conversations in June, there was only one person that made logical sense for Colbert to have on as his first return-to-somewhat-normal guest. The man who gave him a big break, Jon Stewart.
Dave Chappelle hijacks the interview
Early this past summer, Dave Chappelle was doing the final run of shows he coined Camp Chappelle where he’d bring all his funny friends to a field near his Ohio home to do shows. On one occasion, Michael Che was in town and had a Zoom interview he had to do for Jimmy Kimmel Live!. And not wanting the spotlight to be on anyone else while in his house, Chappelle couldn’t help but take things over much to the delight of Kimmel.
Seth Meyers had a surprise baby
Every year, Seth Meyers invites his parents and his brother Josh to his show for an annual Thanksgiving episode. It’s a unique tradition that has turned his parents into fan-favorites. Well this year, Seth Meyers decided to steal the show by revealing to everyone that he and his wife had a third child earlier this year. And no, this time it was not in the lobby of their apartment building. Though that would be cool if they purposely planned that, just to keep it going.
Seth Rogen gets Conan high
Anyone who remembers the early, crazy nature of Late Night w/Conan O’Brien may be surprised to learn that O’Brien himself is not too well-versed in the world of pot. And if there was ever gonna be someone to help get him over to the… greener side if you will…, it would be Seth Rogen. Rogen broke out a joint, and got O’Brien to light up on air, once O’Brien figured out what side of the joint to light.
A final Mac and Me
Starting in February of 2004, there had been a long-standing gag on Conan O’Brien’s talk shows whenever Paul Rudd would come on. Rudd would come on, hype up his new project he’s excited about, and then O’Brien would throw to a clip. However, without fail, every single time it was a hilarious bad scene from the notoriously bad 80’s movie Mac and Me. And so when O’Brien was going off the air, Paul Rudd crashed Bill Hader’s interview in a tux to show the clip one (or two) last times. A fitting end to an era.
Andy Samberg crashes the interview
Colin Jost was appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers and was in the middle of answering a question when Seth got word off camera that Andy Samberg wanted Colin to check his phone. Jost obliged, pausing the camera so he could check his texts. And what followed is a series of hilarious ramblings from Samberg that successfully hijacked the interview, without him even having to be there.
Jack Black is Conan’s final guest
Jack Black knew he had to send Conan O’Brien out with a bang on the final night of his 28 year run as a late night host. However, the big opening that they had planned on pre-taping the day before got derailed when Black twisted his ankle. And after much build up on Black’s part about how he’d be the “best guest ever,” he came out in a boot and a cane, leading many to think that it would be a tamer exchange. But not one to disappoint, he sent O’Brien off with a hilariously rocking version of My Way that saw him defying doctor’s orders by getting up and taking control of the stage. It was an epic farewell to one of the all time greats.
John Mulaney recaps his year
After a highly publicized rehab-stint, divorce, and rumors about his new girlfriend Olivia Munn being pregnant, John Mulaney stopped by Late Night w/Seth Meyers – where he briefly worked as a way to stay busy last fall – to give his first interview on his crazy year. And he didn’t disappoint, detailing every strange detail, including what happened when Seth Meyers and their mutual friends staged an intervention for Mulaney. The 18 minute interview is one of the rare moments that actually works better not having an audience there.
