Late Night's So White, I Gotta Throw Shade

So, it is now official: Saturday Night Live head writer and Weekend Update anchor Seth Meyers will replace Jimmy Fallon when he takes over The Tonight Show next year.

Meyers will take over the 12:35 a.m. slot after current host Jimmy Fallon vacates the show to take over The Tonight Show from Jay Leno. Meyers has been the odds-on favorite to assume the post since March, as SNL executive producer Lorne Michaels is also the executive producer on Late Night.

"We think Seth is one of the brightest, most insightful comedy writers and performers of his generation," said NBC entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt. "His years at SNL's Weekend Update desk, not to mention being head writer of the show for many seasons, helped him hone a topical brand of comedy that is perfect for the Late Night franchise."

...So with Last Call recently renewed, that means NBC's new late-night lineup will go as follows: Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Carson Daly.

I will just reiterate what I said on Twitter when it was first reported Meyers was Fallon's likely replacement: "So Jimmy Fallon is taking over for Jay Leno, & Seth Meyers is up for Fallon's slot? If only there were funny people who aren't white men!"

The fact that NBC's late night line-up will remain exclusively straight, white, thin men—who are all also able-bodied and cis, as far as I know—is completely pathetic in the year of our lord Jesus Jones two thousand and thirteen, but how the fuck thick is Greenblatt to pile on with some blinkered bullshit about how Meyers is TOPS OF HIS ENTIRE GENERATION. It's eminently possible to say he's bright and insightful and talented (if that is indeed one's opinion) without making it about how he's SO MUCH BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE.

Meyers may well be talented and hardworking and whatever, but he also has an enormous amount of privilege. And, under his leadership at SNL, the show has continued to engage in all manner of bullying humor that entrenches marginalization against populations to which Seth Meyers doesn't belong.

Ha ha LUCKY HIM! To be the head writer on a cultural touchstone that upholds his own privileges, only to find himself with a multimillion dollar hosting gig on late night network television! What are the odds?!

*that face*