f.Seth Meyers Drops Bombshell: ‘Stephen Colbert Once Refused to Have Me On His Show — Because I Wasn’t Famous Enough!.f

Seth Meyers shocked listeners by revealing on his podcast that Stephen Colbert once refused to have him on The Late Show for not being “famous enough,” a playful yet stinging confession that exposed the ego, rivalry, and eventual respect behind late-night TV’s friendliest smiles.

In a revelation that’s sending shockwaves through the late-night community, comedian and talk show host Seth Meyers opened up on his latest podcast episode about an awkward moment from years past — one that, he admits, still stings a little.

According to Meyers, his fellow late-night star Stephen Colbert once declined to have him as a guest on The Late Show — not because of scheduling issues or creative conflicts, but because, as Colbert allegedly put it, “he wasn’t famous enough.”

The confession came during the newest episode of “Family Meetings with Seth Meyers,” released on October 12, 2025, where Meyers reflected on his early days as a talk show host and the unspoken rivalries between late-night peers.

Laughing as he recounted the story, Meyers told his co-host and brother, Josh Meyers, “I remember when The Late Show first launched, I reached out to Stephen’s team about coming on to talk about Late Night.

And they actually said, and I quote, ‘Stephen doesn’t usually book other late-night hosts unless it’s someone… more established.’”

Josh reacted with disbelief: “Wait, are you serious? He said that?”
Meyers smirked.

“Yeah.Apparently, I wasn’t famous enough.

Which is fair — I was still figuring out how to use the desk light.”

The remark was met with laughter from both brothers, but Seth quickly added, “Honestly, I get it.

Stephen had a huge show to build.

But at the time, man, it felt like high school all over again — like trying to sit at the cool kids’ table and getting told, ‘Sorry, this seat’s taken.’”

Fans immediately began dissecting the comment online, wondering whether Meyers was joking or spilling genuine behind-the-scenes tea.

Within hours of the podcast’s release, “Colbert” and “Seth Meyers” were trending on X (formerly Twitter), with thousands of users debating whether the story revealed a real rift between two of late-night’s most respected hosts.

One fan wrote, “Colbert not inviting Seth because he wasn’t famous enough? That’s cold — and kind of hilarious.

” Another defended Colbert, arguing, “He was under pressure to compete with Fallon, Kimmel, and Corden at the time — maybe he just didn’t want overlap.”

Industry insiders, however, suggest that such unspoken rivalries are more common than viewers think.

During the fierce battle for ratings in the mid-2010s, late-night television was a minefield of subtle one-upmanship.

Colbert’s Late Show was locked in a tight ratings race with Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show, while Meyers’s Late Night was still struggling to find its unique tone.

“Colbert had to protect his lane,” one former CBS producer explained.

“He respected Seth, but he didn’t want another comedian with a similar audience sitting on his couch and stealing thunder.

It’s not personal — it’s television.”

Still, the story didn’t stop there.

Later in the podcast, Meyers revealed that years later, after both shows had found their rhythm, Colbert personally reached out to invite him on The Late Show.

“It was like a full-circle moment,” Meyers recalled.

“He sent this really nice note — something like, ‘You’ve earned your seat at the table now.’ And honestly, that meant a lot.

It’s one thing to compete; it’s another to respect the game.”

The two have since developed a genuine friendship, often praising each other in interviews and collaborating during major political events.

In 2020, during the height of the U.S.election coverage, Colbert even joked about “calling Seth for emotional support” after several marathon nights of live broadcasting.

Their camaraderie, while rooted in friendly competition, has become one of the defining relationships of the late-night era.

Despite the humorous tone of his podcast confession, fans sensed that Meyers’s recollection came with a tinge of honesty — a reminder that even among comedians, ego and insecurity can lurk beneath the laughs.

“People assume late-night hosts are all best friends,” Meyers said near the end of the episode.

“But the truth is, we’re all just former class clowns trying to prove we still belong in the room.”

Neither Colbert nor his representatives have publicly responded to Meyers’s comments, though insiders say Colbert is likely to take it in stride.

One CBS staffer joked, “Stephen will probably open his next monologue with something like, ‘Seth, you’re always welcome — as long as you bring snacks.’”

For fans, the story offers a rare peek behind the curtain of late-night TV — a world that thrives on charm, wit, and the constant pressure to stay relevant.

And while the supposed “snub” may have once stung, it’s clear that both Colbert and Meyers have moved well past it — two men who started as rivals, but ultimately learned that in comedy, there’s always room for one more laugh.