Fred Armisen and The 8G Band Depart ‘Late Night With Seth Meyers’ Due to Budget Cuts

After a decade of providing music and comedic moments on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Fred Armisen and The 8G Band have officially departed the show. The announcement, made on August 18, 2024, marks the end of an era for the late-night program, which has featured Armisen as its resident bandleader since its debut in 2014.

The departure comes as part of a broader cost-cutting initiative by NBC, which has been restructuring budgets across its late-night programming. While Late Night with Seth Meyers remains one of the network’s flagship shows, executives decided to reduce expenses by eliminating the live in-house band, a move that has become increasingly common across late-night television.

Armisen, a former Saturday Night Live cast member and co-creator of Portlandia, was known not only for his musical contributions but also for his comedic interactions with host Seth Meyers. His role often went beyond music, with Armisen participating in sketches, improvised bits, and running gags that became a staple of the show.

In a statement on social media, Meyers expressed his gratitude for Armisen and the band, calling their presence on the show “a constant source of joy and creativity.” He added, “Fred and The 8G Band brought an energy that made Late Night special. While we’ll miss them on stage, their music and spirit will always be a part of the show.”

NBC has confirmed that Late Night will continue to use pre-recorded music from The 8G Band, but there will be no live musical performances from them moving forward. The change reflects broader shifts in the late-night industry, where networks are increasingly opting for smaller production teams and digital-first strategies.

Fans of the show have taken to social media to express their disappointment, with many lamenting the loss of one of the few remaining live bands in late-night television. While Armisen has yet to announce any immediate plans, his departure from Late Night is expected to free up more time for his other creative projects in comedy, acting, and music.