LNSM: Anatomy of a Desk
Bee-lushi MISSING (Updated for Week of 11/6)
Seth’s desk landscape is not only a part of the show, but an integral part of Corrections, as it houses mugs featuring references to the best and worst of Jackal culture. Although viewers have been treated to talking desk elements since the first days of The Crew Era (Phase 3), the LNSM desk has evolved into an extension of Meyers himself…allowing our trusty host to dabble in prop-comedy, keep his ever changing notes organized, and test the limits of his Jackals’ twentieth-century pop-culture literacy.
Mug of the Week*1 (Corrections only content): Think of the weekly mug as the Mr. Darcy hand (and this): In a stellar representation of the show don’t tell rule, Seth always lets Jackals know how he’s feeling (be it about behavior, bad jokes, great jokes, cross-Jackal discourse, or possible Jackal-bait aka he’s just feeling flirty) via the mug. Timeline-wise, mugs have been a staple of Corrections since the Week of 6/7. After off-handedly dubbing his increasingly nit-picky viewers “Jackals” the Week of 5/24, Seth returned, armed with Graphics Department team-member Tara, ready for war, with a seemingly inconspicuous mug reading
Jackal Paws
Tackle Flaws
Everyone knows, the Mr. Darcy hand-thing basically makes Pride and Prejudice (2005) Rated-R, as such, mugs are not allowed on network-television. The rest of the desk however, still offers a peak behind the Seth Meyers-curtain. (All jokes aside, the anatomy of the LNSM desk does require a fair amount of context to understand.)
*The (unofficial) list (with varying degrees of accuracy/detail) of mug designs is provided in the footnotes. For further research, I direct you to the @seacaptainpolls Twitter page. There, viewers can participate in LNSM’s Murch Madness bracket by voting on their favorite designs. It should be noted that while this publication has participated in the bracket, we cannot guarantee the integrity of each ballot (given previous allegations of LNSM vote tampering/disregard for democracy…see: the characters of The SCCU).
Andy-Toilet Paper Mummy: For background I direct you to the Masterdoc, subsection: Andy v. Frisbee. Then, I invite you to watch this quarantine slice-of-life content, fairly typical of the audience-free LNSM days.
Briefly, MTS saw a story about disturbed mummies and took to Twitter, reminiscing that in his SNL days Samberg would have played a wonderful “disturbed mummy” on Weekend Update. Alex Baze responded with a punch-up for the Samberg-mummy. Lucky for MTS, Seth, Baze, and viewers…late-night post Captain’s Quarters was the wild west.
Samberg in particular took advantage of the lawlessness, interrupting interviews, making cameos, and generally wreaking havoc. Half-hazardously wrapping himself in toilet paper, he gave his very best “teenager who just woke up confused and cranky” performance. Since this bit did not make the CNN Late Night docu-series, Seth memorialized this ground-breaking moment in television history by granting the Samberg-mummy’s wish “to have a bobblehead of this on your desk instead of that dog sh*t Stefon one”. Almost two years later, the bobblehead, delivering his infamous catch-phrase lives on.
Andy-Toilet Paper Mummy Bobblehead est. September 29, 2020
The Frisbee Statue: In a characteristically LNSM-if you know you know situation, the Frisbee figurine extends both from Andy v. Frisbee and the Andy-Toilet Paper Mummy Bobblehead. While promoting his new show Baking It, Andy appeared on LNSM armed with the hottest Hollywood goss: Toilet Paper Mummy and Frisbee are not only “doing it,” they are Instagram “ofish”.
Although the couple went public just after Thanksgiving, the Frisbee statue and Toilet Paper Mummy were not united on the Late Night desk until Seth’s return to studio post-Covid outbreak at 30 Rock. Sharing their partner’s precedent setting speech bubble, the figurine also features Frisbee’s catchphrase (according to Samberg): “Doink me again, mummy”. Samberg considers Frisbee’s choice to pursue an intimate relationship with the mummy over Stefon proof “that the mummy whose doink fell off is a better and more enduring character than Stefon. I have always said that and you [Seth] know that.”
The Frisbee Statue est. November 25, 2021…(officially January 17, 2022)
Stefon Meyers (né Zolesky): The longest running fixture on the LNSM desk is, of course, a bridal-Stefon Russian Nesting doll. Stefon first debuted November of 2008 as an (SNL) art-house director, but truly found his footing as Weekend Update’s City Correspondent. From their first interaction (April 24, 2010), Seth and Stefon had noticeable (almost NSFW) chemistry. The relationship blossomed over the next four years (creating enough #couplegoals content for a FIVE PART YouTube series). Although it seemed the two were not interested in a long-distance relationship, when faced with separation they opted to get married.
In perfect rom-com leading man fashion, Seth dramatically stopped his soul-mate from almost marrying Anderson Cooper, begging the blushing bride to marry him instead. The couple remains incredibly private. However, judging by the LNSM desk, they are happier than ever.
Stefon Russian Nesting Doll est. February 24, 2014
ANOTHER Mug: Stefon has been there since day one. As has Seth, and a Late Night with Seth Meyers logo mug. Another constant? Every show features a mug from a different NBC affiliate station. And trust me, they. love. it. (btw those are six separate links to local news stations really excited to be featured on the late night desk). There are even (old) Tumblr pages dedicated to tracking the mugs. Here is Seth talking about the now eight-year long tradition.
Prock Doll: Last up on Seth’s increasingly niche collection of sketch action figures(?) is an actual action figure from his Hulu show, The Awesomes (2013-2015). His kids have been featured wearing costumes inspired by his animated adult show, and the action figure of his character, Prock, rounds out the Late Night desk (not center couch material apparently). Created with his trusty EP, Mikey the Shoe, The Awesomes features all your SNL favorites (voice acting) and then some. Unfortunately I did not find when the doll made his late night debut. However, readers might remember that Prock got to speak following the chapter of inanimate objects coming to life known as the Captain’s Quarters.
Prock Doll est. September 10, 2020 (?)
UPDATE: MINI-BEE-LUSHI and more(6/29/22)
It seems I made a major error when originally explaining the desk! I failed to itemize Seth’s collection of vintage NFL pencils AND a joint from Kevin Smith (celebrity and fan of the show). Like, he’s a really big fan. He asked for the joint to live in the mug with Seth’s NFL pencils so when he watches every morning (stoned) he feels like a part of the show (1/29/20).
He knew about Popsicle Schticks…which is a deep cut. Color me impressed. Smith comes with bits included which is exciting and even had a favorite impression pre-panini…Southern Gentleman…ALSO a deep cut.
And! That’s not the only news from the Late Night desk this week (6/29): After appearing on The George Lucas Talk Show, Seth both was returned an eight year old #SethXSW pillow stolen (by Connor Ratliff) from his 2014 appearance at SXSW (previously a fixture of The George Lucas Show set decor), and became a part of the GLTS effort to raise $40K for the National Network of Abortion Funds. Once donations reached certain levels Seth agreed to showcase different pieces of a fan made George Lucas Russian Nesting doll.
Smallest to largest, the doll features: George Lucas, Watto (GLTS sidekick), GLTS producer Patrick Cotnoir, Grogu (Baby Yoda), and finally a miniature John Belushi dressed as a bee (Beee-lushi). Seth also offered to match the first ten $500 donations and hand type them a letter from the celebrity of their choice (Masterdoc keywords: White, E.B., Stuart Little, mouse, liar, Margalo). Tuesday Seth put out Bee-lushi. However, the fundraiser quickly met the $40K goal, meaning only the largest of the dolls, George Lucas, was set to continue life on the Late Night desk.
Wednesday’s show revealed that Seth gave in to Ratliff’s plea, continuing to feature Bee-lushi.
Confused? I gotcha covered.
The Bees: Not Just a Jermaine Sketch
SNL premiered in 1975 with a cast of seven, including one John Belushi. During the first show NBC really didn’t like a sketch called ‘Bee Hospital’, telling Lorne, “cut the bees.” So, Lorne featured a bee sketch in all but two of the first thirteen episodes of the show. John Belushi played the King Bee during the sketch’s first appearance and would go on to star alongside Dan Aykroyd in the ‘Bees-Brothers’ sketch which turned into their mega-famous ‘Blues-Brothers’. Bees meant that the show was theirs (Lorne’s and the cast’s), not just another NBC property.
In the halls of 30 Rock, bees still represent a kind of anti-establishment rebellion…not far from the lo-fi anarchy of Letterman and now, to some extent, Meyers. Personally, I think TV falls into four categories: how is this on TV (bad), blehhh, funny haha, how is this on TV (good) (streaming confuses these classifications a little). For now, Bee-lushi on the Late Night desk is reason enough to anticipate much more ‘how is this on TV (good)’ this season from the Meyers camp.
For more info I suggest either Live From New York: The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live or (for lighter reading) thelatenightist.com . You can also watch Meyers on GLTS here.
7/18 Update: As of this weeks’ shows, the GLTS Nesting Dolls (George Lucas and Bee-lushi) remain a part of the growing LNSM desk population.
8/1 Update: Still there
9/12 Update: Still there
9/19 Update: Still there
9/26 Update: Still there, off to the side
10/10 Update: Bee-lushi is missing, only big George Lucas Russian Nesting doll remains
Corrections Mug of the Week List (Unofficial)
6/7: “Jackal Paws/Tackle Flaws”
6/14: Cartoon Jackal
6/21: Cartoon Jackal at a computer, presumably using their paws to tackle flaws.
7/12: Jackal paw prints
7/19: Jackal paw prints on a key board
8/9: I assume this is a famous Jack + L, however, I tried to reverse image search + “jack” and “celebrity” with no luck. Hopefully, someone is as hyper-fixated on this as I am and can help identify this specific “Jack”:
Cred: Twitter @seacaptainpolls/LNSM 8/17: An image of the LNSM logo, edited to read, “Late Night with Half-Ass Ham”
8/23: Image of Fine Young Cannibals front man, Roland Gift, with the band’s initials presented in era inaccurate hashtag form (#FYC)
9/6: Image of a sloth with a Ghost Busters-esque circle and slash over it: “Don’t Do Sloth”
9/13: “JACKALS RAISE MY HACKLES”
9/21: “More like ‘Jerkels’”
9/27: Jackee-l Henry Mug
10/4: The Day of the Jackal (1973) movie poster with Seth’s face inside the sniper scope.
10/11: Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) movie poster edited, reading, “Dr. Jackal and Mr. Hide” with images of Seth’s face
10/25: Jackal-antern and Jackal-intern
11/1: Jackal-antern and Jackal-intern
11/8: “Jackal Pun TBD”
11/15: “Jakkar Noir”
11/22: “Happy Jacksgiving!”
12/6: Jackal wearing a glove of some sort (possibly in a Michael Jackson-y way)
12/13: Cartoon Jackal holding a Christmas stocking
1/10: Cartoon Jackal wearing a mask
1/17: Cartoon Jackal with the head of Thomas Jefferson
1/24: “MUGG” with the Twitter dotted-line, highlighting a misspelling
1/31: Just cartoon Jackal paws
2/21: “Happy Octoversary” with a celebratory Octopus
2/28: “Welcome Back, Jackals” in the style of Welcome Back, Kotter
3/7: Stuart Little cover art, reading “Stuart Belittle,” with a cartoon jackal in Stuart’s clothes
3/14: “Murch Madness”
3/28: Image of Wally from the annual NBCUniversal HR: Respect in the Workplace Zoom. (For background see Corrections: Week of 1/24)
Wally the Cue at NBCUniversal’s 2022 Respect in the Workplace Zoom, tuning in from bed. Cred: YouTube/LNSM. 4/4: Cartoon Jackal Typing on computer/Late Night with Correction Jackals (Winners of Murch Madness…to the chagrin of anyone who has seen the entire collections of nuanced warm beverage vessels)
4/18: Cartoon Jackal wearing overalls and a construction hat holding a hazard sign that reads “UNDER CONSTRUCTION”
4/25: Cartoon Jackal wearing overalls and a construction hat holding a hazard sign that reads “UNDER CONSTRUCTION”
NBC Merch Department, failed Corrections mug prototype. You can’t rush genius OR duds…apparently. Cred: YouTube/LNSM 5/2: Cartoon Jackal wearing overalls and a construction hat holding a hazard sign that reads “UNDER CONSTRUCTION”
5/9: A-Jack-U-Lator aka A Jackal doing Calculations
5/16: A-Jack-U-Lator aka A Jackal doing Calculations
5/23: A-Jack-U-Lator aka A Jackal doing Calculations, now reading “A Jackulator”
6/6: Cartoon Jackal wearing overalls and a construction hat holding a hazard sign that reads “UNDER CONSTRUCTION”
6/13: Cartoon Jackal wearing overalls and a construction hat holding a hazard sign that reads “UNDER CONSTRUCTION”
6/21 THE SPECJACKULAR: n/a
6/27: Cartoon Jackal wearing overalls and a construction hat holding a hazard sign that reads “UNDER CONSTRUCTION”
8/1: Cartoon Jackal Typing on computer/Late Night with Correction Jackals (Mug available at NBCUniversal Experience Online Store by 9AM)
9/5: Cartoon Jackal Typing on computer/Late Night with Correction Jackals (Mug available at NBCUniversal Experience Online Store)
9/12: Chicago MUG
9/19: GoliSETH Awaits, with image of Seth as 80s era deep-sea explorer (in the style of Goliath Awaits promotional material)
9/26: Cartoon Jackal Typing on computer/Late Night with Correction Jackals (Mug available at NBCUniversal Experience Online Store)
10/3: Cartoon Jackal Typing on computer/Late Night with Correction Jackals (Mug available at NBCUniversal Experience Online Store)
10/10: Cartoon Jackal Typing on computer/Late Night with Correction Jackals (Mug available at NBCUniversal Experience Online Store)
10/31: Save Seth!
11/6: Cartoon Jackal Typing on computer/Late Night with Correction Jackals (Mug available at NBCUniversal Experience Online Store)
