In the dazzling world of late-night TV, Seth Meyers stole the spotlight this week, largely thanks to Taylor Swift's star power—proving once again that pop culture's queen can dominate even the small screen!
Photo: Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty Images
What a rollercoaster of a week it's been for late-night entertainment fans. Just last week, we saw Addison Rae's unforgettable (though not exactly hilarious, so it doesn't qualify for our fun column) performance on The Tonight Show, which earned rave reviews in Paper magazine (https://www.papermag.com/addison-rae-jimmy-fallon-performance). Then, Aziz Ansari took to Jimmy Kimmel Live! to tackle the heated debate surrounding the Riyadh Comedy Festival (https://www.vulture.com/article/riyadh-comedy-festival-saudi-arabia-whos-going.html), announcing he'd donate a portion of his earnings to Human Rights Watch. And guess what? The organization noticed—and firmly declined the donation (https://www.vulture.com/article/human-rights-watch-riyadh-comedy-festival-donations.html). Talk about a plot twist! Later on Kimmel, Jeff Bridges channeled his iconic Dude character from The Big Lebowski to voice his opposition to ICE policies (https://www.vulture.com/article/ice-protests-celebrities-react.html). Why opt for a fictional persona over a straightforward protest? Well, activism can come in all shapes and sizes, even through creative role-playing.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is celebrity activism more about personal branding than real change?
Yet, the standout moment proving late-night TV's enduring charm was Taylor Swift's dual appearances on NBC's lineup during her album rollout for The Life of a Showgirl. She graced The Tonight Show on Monday with an in-depth chat (set to air in full tonight), and on Wednesday, Late Night With Seth Meyers featured a complete "Tay/kover" episode (https://www.instagram.com/p/DPkdgjRkksQ/)—that's their clever branding, not mine. Just like she's dominating the charts (https://www.vulture.com/article/taylor-swift-life-of-a-showgirl-records.html) and the box office (https://www.vulture.com/article/weekend-box-office-taylor-swift-obaa.html), Swift is reigning supreme in the late-night realm this week.
And this is the part most people miss: How these appearances highlight the unique strengths of different shows.
The Daily Show also flexed its comedic muscles with a hilarious ensemble bit. Correspondent Jordan Klepper virtually hosted alongside Josh Johnson, reviving the classic "That's good, that's bad" segment from The Simpsons' "Treehouse of Horror III" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH0W_ccOaXc). For those new to this, it's a fun, back-and-forth routine where one person lists positive and negative outcomes. Klepper bombarded Johnson with Trump's potential actions toward laid-off workers, and Johnson's exasperated reactions nailed the comedic timing perfectly.
Remember that line from the 1995 documentary Catwalk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrISOQclg3A), where a model dismisses her job as "not Yalta"? It refers to the intense negotiations at the Yalta Conference that shaped post-World War II peace—a deal that's held up remarkably well. Well, Adam Pally's attempt to decode the enigmatic Mary Cosby on his show comes pretty close to that level of intrigue. Cosby, portrayed as an otherworldly figure, and Pally as a top-notch "xenobiologist" (think alien expert, like in the movie Arrival), outshines even the jokers from Alien: Earth (https://www.vulture.com/tv/alien-earth/). Who would've thought Mary Cosby enjoys trips to the dentist? Adam Pally, that's who—proving his knack for uncovering bizarre truths.
Justine Lupe, who played a supporting role in the cutthroat world of Succession, is now getting her moment in the spotlight on Nobody Wants This. Her debut on Kimmel was a hit, sharing a memorable anecdote about taping her butt cheeks together and the art of mooning at award shows. It struck the perfect chord between Hollywood glamour and everyday body image struggles—fittingly timed with the release of The Life of a Showgirl.
Channing Tatum, the ultimate dancer with impeccable spatial awareness, dominated Jimmy Fallon in a candy-catching challenge, showcasing his physical prowess. I'd love to see legendary dancer Gene Kelly take on the same task, but sadly, that's impossible. This segment brilliantly blended game show fun with celebrity charm, a delicate balance on The Tonight Show. As a side note, Tatum's confident method for opening Funko Pop figures was equally intriguing—pure self-assurance in action.
It's not uncommon these days for stars to hop between talk shows in one week, though back in the '90s, publicists dreaded the fierce booking battles. Still, Taylor Swift pulling off two NBC spots is a major feat. And while Jimmy Fallon put on a grand show with custom sets and deep dives into her album themes (she's been exploring those extensively, as seen in recent interviews (https://www.vulture.com/article/taylor-swift-life-of-a-showgirl-movie-takeaways.html)), Seth Meyers edged out the win. The Tonight Show's larger, flashier format suits big spectacles, while Late Night offers a cozier, more conversational vibe. Meyers followed up on quirky stories, like the time Lisa Bonet's snake got lodged in Swift's walls (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OlLcYVKc3o). In a refreshingly candid admission, Swift revealed her album productivity stems from not being "well-rounded." Drawing from The Life of a Showgirl's themes, her Tonight Show appearance was like Kitty Finlay dazzling on stage, whereas on Late Night, it was Kitty unraveling backstage. And honestly, that's the raw, authentic showgirl vibe we all crave right now.
What do you think? Does Seth Meyers truly deserve the crown for this week's late-night showdown, or is Taylor Swift the real MVP? And on a broader note, should celebrities mix activism with entertainment, or does it dilute the message? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree, disagree, or have a counterpoint?
- Conan O’Brien Behind The Late Show Desk Won Late Night This Week (https://www.vulture.com/article/conan-obrien-behind-the-desk-won-late-night-this-week.html)
- Seth Meyers in a Tank Top Won Late Night This Week (https://www.vulture.com/article/seth-meyers-in-a-tank-top-won-late-night-this-week.html)
- How 4 Late-Night Writers Are Feeling Post–Kimmel Suspension (https://www.vulture.com/article/jimmy-kimmel-abc-suspension-late-night-writers-react.html)
See All (https://www.vulture.com/tags/this-week-in-late-night)
Seth Meyers Won Late Night This Week (Taylor’s Version)
