‘Weekend Update’ funnyman looking forward to gig at OU

If simple adolescent dreams of becoming a professional athlete were able to launch every child into a career as a famous "Saturday Night Live" comedian and writer, most people would probably dare to dream like Seth Meyers.

"All I wanted to be when I was little was a professional baseball player, but I was smart enough as a kid to know that would never happen," Meyers told The Athens NEWS in a phone interview last week. "So, I switched to comedy, and fortunately it became a lifestyle for me."

An Evening with Seth Meyers and Special Guest takes place this Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Ohio University's Memorial Auditorium. Tickets are available through the Memorial Auditorium ticket office.

Though tickets have been selling rapidly since the announcement of Meyers' OU performance, a small number were still available for purchase earlier this week, said Andrew Holzaepfel, associate director of the Campus Involvement Center.

"We have gotten a great response from the students so far," he said. "This will be Seth Meyers' first time at OU, and it's an awesome opportunity for students to see such a well-known and great comedian on campus."

Meyers' comedic journey began in college when he joined Northwestern University's improv sketch group "Mee-Ow." What started as an enjoyable hobby eventually turned into a passion and a career, Meyers said.

"Most of my favorite college memories are from performing improv shows," he said. "I remember very clearly my final performance with the improv group and hoping that it wouldn't be the last time I would get to be on stage trying to make people laugh. I'm just glad it wasn't."

After college, Meyers became part of the Chicago improv group, "Boom Chicago," and was discovered by SNL at age 26.He has been working with NBC's popular late-night comedy show ever since.

"The longer you do this professionally, you sort of run out of ideas, so you learn new techniques," Meyers said. "You have to be observant and pay attention to people and the world around you for inspiration."

Meyers' career continued to evolve when he began working with SNL; he is now the head writer for the show. In addition to his writing, he still acts on the show in the "Weekend Update" segment and has continued to stretch his talents in recent movies including "New Year's Eve," hosting the ESPY Awards on ESPN, and being the keynote speaker at President Barack Obama's White House Correspondents Dinner.

"It's about doing and following what you love no matter where it takes you," Meyers said. "I always knew I loved comedy, and it's awesome that it has worked out for me in this way."

Bringing "bigger names" to OU's campus provides students with alternative entertainment options, especially when they take place on a Friday night, noted Dominique Buccina, an OU student who plans to attend the show.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing Seth Meyers this weekend," she said. "I loved watching him co-host on 'LIVE! with Kelly' and thought he was so funny and had such a good personality.

Though Meyers has the opportunity to experience a variety of entertainment media in the form of television, movies and live performances, he said he finds the combination of writing and performing remains an indescribable thrill for him.

"There really is nothing like writing something and having it performed in front of not only you, but an audience as well," Meyers said. "And seeing people actually enjoy it is more than I could have hoped for."