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Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment Presents Spotlight Award to Seth Meyers

Media and Entertainment Commissioner Julie Menin Salutes "Late Night" Host for His Contributions to NYC's Creative Community


NEW YORK – The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) has given its Spotlight Award to Seth Meyers, host of "Late Night with Seth Meyers," for inspiring and nurturing the careers of other writers. MOME Commissioner Julie Menin presented the award last night at the Paley Center for Media. The Emmy-winning Meyers accepted the Spotlight Award following a PaleyFest discussion with "Late Night" writers Alex Baze, Sal Gentile, Jenny Hagel, and Amber Ruffin. The panel was moderated by Colin Jost, Meyers' successor as an SNL "Weekend Update" anchor. PaleyFest runs through October 16.

Spotlight Award to Seth Meyers

"Seth Meyers' sharp-witted humor as a writer and performer on both 'Saturday Night Live' and 'Late Night with Seth Meyers' is a big reason that New York City has become the late night comedy capital," said MOME Commissioner Julie Menin. "With a career that both inspires a new generation of writers and entertains all of us, I can't think of a more fitting recipient of a Spotlight Award. Seth keeps us laughing while holding our country's leaders' feet to the fire."

Seth Meyers said, "I am honored to receive The Spotlight Award from the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. New York is a perfect place for me to film a show, not just because of the talented community of professionals who make it what it is, but also because I live here and if we filmed somewhere else my commute would be too long."

MOME created The Spotlight Award to illuminate excellence in the film, TV, music, publishing, digital content, and advertising sectors. The award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the growth of NYC's thriving media and entertainment industries. Seth Meyers is the second Spotlight Award recipient. Earlier this year, MOME honored Greg Young and Tom Meyers (no relation to Seth) on the 10th anniversary of "The Bowery Boys," their popular podcast, which explores New York City's history.

The latest Spotlight award continues MOME's commitment to cultivating emerging writers. Earlier this year, the agency inaugurated the Made in NY Writers Room Fellowships, co-sponsored by the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) and the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS). The six-month paid fellowships pair up-and-coming writers from diverse backgrounds with show-runners from hit programs. MOME has also joined Brooklyn College's Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema in giving women writers the chance to have their pilot scripts produced and aired on NYC Media, the City's official broadcast network.