How Boom Chicago Launched Seth Meyers to 'Saturday Night Live'

4 months agoUS
How Boom Chicago Launched Seth Meyers to 'Saturday Night Live'Source: cbsnews.com
Before hosting 'Late Night with Seth Meyers' and becoming a 'Saturday Night Live' star, Seth Meyers honed his comedic skills at Boom Chicago, an improv theater in Amsterdam. This unassuming venue has also been a launchpad for other comedy stars like Jordan Peele and Ike Barinholtz.

Key Insights

Boom Chicago provided Seth Meyers with a 'road map' to 'Saturday Night Live.'

A sketch called 'Bar Pickup,' developed with Jill Benjamin, became a critical hit and helped Meyers get noticed.

Meyers and Benjamin's stage chemistry was key to the success of 'Bar Pickup,' which they performed in multiple countries.

A 'Saturday Night Live' recruiter discovered Meyers during a performance at the Chicago Improv Festival.

Why this matters: Boom Chicago's influence highlights the importance of improv theater as a training ground for comedic talent and the serendipitous nature of career breakthroughs in the entertainment industry.

In-Depth Analysis

Seth Meyers credits Boom Chicago for providing the foundation for his comedy career. During his time in Amsterdam, he collaborated with Jill Benjamin to create 'Bar Pickup,' a sketch that involved audience participation and showcased their improv skills. The sketch's success led to a two-person show, 'Pick-ups and Hiccups,' which they performed in various locations, including Chicago, Edinburgh, London, and Singapore.

The turning point came when a 'Saturday Night Live' recruiter attended one of their performances at the Chicago Improv Festival. Impressed by Meyers' talent, the recruiter offered him a job at 'SNL,' marking the beginning of his rise to fame. Meyers acknowledges Jill Benjamin's crucial role in maintaining their momentum and helping him achieve his big break.

FAQs

Q: What is Boom Chicago?

Boom Chicago is an improv theater in Amsterdam that has helped launch the careers of several comedy stars.

Q: What was the 'Bar Pickup' sketch?

'Bar Pickup' was a sketch developed by Seth Meyers and Jill Benjamin that involved audience participation and improv comedy.

Key Takeaways

For aspiring comedians, Boom Chicago's story underscores the value of improv training and collaboration. Seth Meyers' journey demonstrates that success can come from unexpected places, and that persistence and strong partnerships are essential for achieving career goals.

Discussion

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Do you think more comedy stars will emerge from improv theaters like Boom Chicago? Let us know!

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