i moved to new york city three weeks before 9/11, and from that day forward i have lived in awe of the spirit of new yorkers. and last night i was so happy that new yorkers went on, and had their halloween parade, which is an incredibly wonderful celebration of that spirit. and there was a "guardian" reporter who tweeted something last night that i think was a perfect illustration of that spirit. let's show that tweet real quick. "hours after a terror attack i keep interviewing new yorkers dressed as chickens who say they are not afraid." [ light laughter ] that's pretty great. [ applause ] there are -- on any year, they have parades like that, and any of the number of parades you have over the course of a year in new york city, there are so many police officers out, and there were so many out last night making sure everyone was safe, and you could tell that some police officers really enjoyed being on the side of this crazy revelry that is the halloween parade. and you can tell other new york police officers weren't that psyched to be on that duty, but the thing i can say about all of them is they were all there keeping us safe. so i would just like to say thank you to the nypd. it's always nice to know thatyou're here. you're one of the reasons why this is the best city in the world. so thank you so much, everybody. [ cheers and applause ] now let's get to the news! according to reports, president trump wanted to call the upcoming republican tax bill the "cut, cut, cut act," which is a terrible name, but it is a lot shorter than calling it the "if i cut your taxes, will you forget about my treason act." [ light laughter ] that's right. trump wanted to call the upcoming republican tax bill the "cut, cut, cut act." well, i will say, every time he's on tv i have this fantasy that a director will walk in and go cut! cut! cut! okay, that's -- that's a wrap on this presidency! this is all -- this is all wrong! [ cheers and applause ] the senate heard testimony today from president trump's pick to be the new head of nasa who does not have a significant background in science. great. [ laughter ] because that's what you want to hear. that guy's the head of nasa, but he's no rocket scientist. [ laughter ] a former radioactive waste site off the coast of san francisco is being turned into a $5 billion housing development project. residents are already giving it three thumbs up. [ laughter ] a pair of strangers were issued citations this weekend after having oral sex in their seats on a delta flight. and i assume by citation they mean award. [ laughter ] when i'm on a delta flight i can't even open my book all the way. [ applause ] bravo! that's right, a pair of strangers were issued citations this weekend after having oral sex in their seats on a delta flight, and no one was more disturbed than the person in the middle sweet -- seat between the -- [ laughter and applause ] so excited. the middle sweet! usually it's a middle seat unless there's some oral sex happening, then it's a middle sweet. [ laughter ] i just wish we had one more joke about the oral sex -- oh, we do? a pair of strangers were issued citations this weekend after having oral sex on their seats in a delta flight. ugh, airline food. am i right? [ laughter ] and we're back. we're back, everyone. [ cheers and applause ] you know, at times like these with so much depressing news, it's just nice that people are going down on each other on delta flights. [ laughter ] starbucks unveiled their new holiday cups today, and as trump promised, they don't say happy holidays anymore. finally, actor anthony rapp told reporters this weekend that when he was 14-years-old kevin spacey made sexual advances towards him. spacey apologized on twitter, blaming the event on inappropriate drunken behavior, and writing "i've loved, and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and i choose now to live as a gay man." one of our writers, jenny hagel is here to comment in a segment we call "a lot of problems." ♪ >> thanks, seth. i'm gay, and as a gay woman i have a lot of problems with kevin spacey's statement. first problem, it is inappropriate to respond to an accusation of pedophilia by saying, i'm gay. those two things are totally unrelated. the only appropriate response to you tried to have sex with a 14-year-old is, i am also a 14-year-old. [ light laughter ] let me be clear. coming out is a courageous act of honesty, not a justification for a crime you committed. that's why no one goes to court, and says i plead gay. or enters the legal term gabeaus corpus. [ light laughter ] second problem. gay people are constantly working against the incorrect stereotype that we are sexual predators. it's a stereotype that has followed us around for generations, and it's totally unfounded, and kevin spacey's statement sets us back. this is worse for gay people than when nbc canceled "the golden girls." [ light laughter ] but don't worry, you can still see it on tvland, lifetime, hallmark, amazon logo, and at my friend philip's house, because he has the box set. [ light laughter ] gay people are actually less likely to be pedophiles than straight people. that's an indisputable fact, like two plus two equals four, or "k-pax" has a 41% on rotten tomatoes. [ light laughter ] third problem. kevin spacey blamed his actions on drunken behavior. that makes it sound like every gay person is two beers away from molesting a kid. i'm not. i'm two beers away from singing "come to my window" at karaoke. [ laughter ] and three beers away from singing it from my window. fourth problem, the phrase "i choose now to live as a gay man." oh, now you choose to live as a gay man after you threw us all under the bus. that's like saying i told everyone you're an asshole, and now i choose to come to your dinner party. too late. you're not invited anymore. the gay community has been made up of brave, brilliant people like, alan turing, and audre lorde, and billie jean king. you're not in the gay community. you're in the creep community. go celebrate creep pride, and throw a little creep parade, and leave us out of it. [ cheers and applause ] yeah. [ cheers and applause ] also -- also, i choose now to live as a gay man? you don't choose to be gay. that's not how it works, son. do you think i choose to be rejected by my church, and own three pairs of cargo shorts? [ laughter ] you're born this way. even a woman in a meat dress knows that. [ cheers ] being gay is a rich, and amazing life experience. assaulting a 14-year-old is a crime. don't confuse the two, and whatever you do, don't watch "k-pax" on netflix. this has been "a lot of problems." ♪ [ cheers and applause ] jenny hagel everybody! you're here on a great night. he's going to chat with us about nbc's "the voice," and perform a song for us. blake shelton is back on the show, everybody. she is the host of "the rundown with robin thede," on b.e.t. robin thede is here tonight. [ cheers and applause ] so it's going to be a great show. before we get to that, the fallout from special council robert mueller's decision to indict three former trump aides continues to weigh on the trump administration, and now the question is how will the rest of the republican party respond? for more on this it's time for "a closer look." ♪ [ cheers and applause ] >> seth: donald trump would like nothing more than to engage in the ceremony and spectacle, of being president without the actual responsibility. for example, this week the white house held a halloween celebration where he entered to the ghostbusters theme song. ♪ ♪ >> that's right. trump ain't afraid of no ghosts. he even has one in his family. "father, no! don't bust me, father!" "i'm sorry eric, but busting makes me feel good." [ laughter ] but even when it comes to the ceremonial duties of the presidency, trump is not exactly up to the task. after he arrived he handed out candy to costumed trick-or-treaters, but watch his super unenthusiastic reaction to the kid dressed as a dinosaur. ♪ >> imagine putting on that cool of a costume, and getting iced by an adult! maybe trump just thought he was hallucinating. "oh, no, it's happening again. [ laughter ] play it cool donny, only you see the dinosaur. only you see the dinosaur." also compare trump's reaction to melania's. that's the most emotion she's displayed since trump became president. "oh, what a great costume. it covers your whole face. you can go anywhere, and no one would know it was you. you could just put it on, and walk off the grounds. get an uber to the airport, and take the first flight to slovenia, they'd welcome you back." but maybe trump was just distracted by the rapidly escalating russia probe, which has now snared three of his former aides including ex-campaign chairman paul manafort, who pled not guilty. and a foreign policy adviser, george papadopoulos who pled guilty to lying to the fbi about his contacts with russians. when the news broke, trump was reportedly holed up by himself in the white house watching it on tv. according to "the washington post," trump woke before dawn on monday, and burrowed in at the white house residence, to wait for the russia bombshell he knew was coming, separated from most of his west wing staff, who fretted over why he was late getting to the oval office. trump clicked on the television, and spent the morning playing fuming media critics, legal analysts, and crisis communication strategists. wow! that's three more jobs he's not qualified for. no wonder he was fuming. he likes to pretend to be fun jobs like a truck driver, or a baseball player, or a firefighter, or a cowboy. [ laughter ] of course, those close to trump rebuffed any suggestion that trump was obsessing over the cable news coverage of the russia investigation, and insisted that the president was doing his job. trump's lawyer, ty cobb said this has not been a cause of great agita, or angst, or activity at the white house. he added that trump is spending all of his time on presidential work. you know, we might have believed the first part if the second part hadn't been such an obvious lie. president work, he might as well have said trump is spending all of his time doing cardio, and writing his latest book of sonnets. [ light laughter ] in reality, of course, the indictment of papadopoulos is especially damning for trump. it shows, for example, that papadopoulos lied to the fbi about his contact with russians who promised him dirt on hillary clinton, and thousands of emails. papadopoulos sent this information to senior campaign officials including a request by the russians, to meet with the trump campaign. and they apparently knew that what they were doing was shady, because they wanted to keep a low profile. one campaign official wrote to another, "let's discuss, we need someone to communicate. the d.t. is not doing these trips. it should be someone low level in the campaign so as not to send any signal." i love how trump's team tried to play it cool, and keep things under wraps, and then trump went on national television and said this. >> russia, if you're listening, i hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. i think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press. >> seth: oh, my god. i would love to play poker with donald trump. [ laughter ] you just know he holds his cards facing out. donald, okay here's the plan. don't tell anyone we're trying to collude with russia. "okay. that's great. slight adjustment to that plan. what if i go on tv, and ask russia to collude with us, but i'll say russia, if you're listening, you know to play it cool, to be -- so there will be a nice cool grey area." [ cheers and applause ] and it's not like -- it's not like trump could easily distance himself from papadopoulos now, because during the campaign he went out of his way to tout him as a member of his foreign policy team. >> we heard you might be announcing your foreign policy advisory team soon. if there's anything you could share on that -- >> we are going to be doing that, in fact, very soon. if you want i could give you some of the names. >> i would be delighted. >> i wouldn't mind. carter page, phd. george papadopoulos, he's an oil and energy consultant. excellent guy. >> seth: and yet, despite that, trump and his allies have tried to insist that they barely knew papadopoulos. first, trump himself tweeted, "few people knew the young low-level volunteer named george who has already proven to be a liar." i love that he just calls him george in that tweet, because you know he took, like, 15 tries at papadopoulos. [ laughter ] few people knew george platypus, metropolis -- popontopolous. eff it. george. i'll just go george. [ light laughter ] then there was former trump campaign adviser michael caputo who tried to make papadopoulos sound like nothing more than an intern. >> i never heard of papadopoulos. he never showed up at trump tower. never had any interaction with any of the campaign leaders around me, and the leaders of the washington office of the campaign, didn't even know who he was until his name appeared in the press. the guy was -- he was the coffee boy. >> seth: if he was the coffee boy why did trump call him an excellent guy? presidential candidates don't just give shout outs to the coffee boy in interviews. you never heard obama say "shout out to my barista justin. [ light laughter ] even though he spells my name wrong. there's no apostrophe justin. [ laughter ] it's good coffee, but you spelled it wrong." >> seth: then -- there was "fox news" host sean hannity, who tried to claim that papadopoulos was too young, and naive to realize what he was doing was wrong. >> as part of the news that came out today george papadopoulos, he admitted, okay, he lied to the fbi. i think he's 29-years-old. >> and millennial's love lying to the fbi. [ light laughter ] there's even a snapchat filter for it. [ laughter ] of course, 29 isn't young, but hannity can say it is, because to the average fox news viewer 29 is, like, six and a half. "he's just a baby! he didn't know any better!" [ light laughter ] and then there are the republicans who try to claim that papadopoulos' actions aren't proof of a broader scheme, just that he, as an individual, is dumb. louisiana senator, john kennedy called papadopoulos "bone-deep stupid," and added "you've got to wonder how those individuals made it through the birth canal." he got through the same way trump got elected. he had some help. [ laughter ] [ cheers and applause ] and yet -- when you press -- when you press trump campaign officials, even just a little bit, their story starts to change. for example, another one of those foreign policy advisers, trump mentioned carter page, went on msnbc on monday to distance himself from papadopoulos. the interview began with some good news of sorts for page. >> former foreign policy adviser, donald trump's presidential campaign carter page joins me now. how are you carter? >> great to see you. i'm doing great. >> congratulations for not being indicted. [ laughter ] >> seth: incidentally, you can find that hallmark card in the "for white house staffers" section. [ laughter and applause ] during the interview page tried to distance himself from papadopoulos, and the emails he was sending to senior campaign officials about his contacts with the russians, but his answers weren't all that convincing. >> were you guys on email chains together, you and papadopoulos? >> look, there's a lot of emails all over the place when you're in a campaign. >> right, but yes or no. like, were you in email chains with papadopoulos? >> probably a few, yeah. >> were you in email chains with him about russia? >> it may have come up from time to time. >> seth: look at carter page. he has all the energy of a golden retriever puppy, combined with all the political savvy of a golden retriever puppy. [ laughter ] so now the question is with all of this damning information already out there and more surely to come, what will the republicans in congress do, because so far they've desperate to avoid the topic all together. at a press conference on monday, several republican senators were asked questions by the reporters about the indictments. see if you spot iowa senator, chuck grassley trying to quietly sneak out the door behind the american flag in the background while reporters shouted questions. >> paul manafort was indicted today and -- >> and that's not -- that really isn't our job. that's not our wheel house. that's the -- [ crowd shouting ] now if you'll -- if you'll give me -- will you -- seth: he literally snuck out behind the flags. i wouldn't be surprised if at the next press conference he comes dressed as one just to blend in. [ laughter ] so republicans are dodging questions about mueller. meanwhile, an increasingly rabid and unhinged right-wing media is trying to impugn mueller's integrity, and lay the groundwork for his firing. take former house speaker newt gingrich who when mueller was first appointed said, "robert mueller is a superb choice to be special counsel. his reputation is impeccable. for honesty and integrity the media should now calm down." well, you'll never guess how newt feels now. on monday he slammed mueller for being too aggressive in raiding manafort's house over the summer, and suggested that mueller himself should be investigated by congress. >> the united states congress should open an investigation to protect the rights of americans. you have an out-of-control prosecutor who is supposed to be looking into russian collusion who -- think about this. paul manafort voluntarily showed up today, walked in, turned himself over, is not a threat to the public, was not a threat to flee, yet this summer the justice department broke into his house at 5:00 in the morning. >> guns blazing. >> caught he and his wife in their pajamas. >> seth: yeah. they're the fbi. they're going to kick in the door. are you expecting them to slip a note under the door? [ laughter ] republicans in congress need to make clear there will be consequences if trump tries to undermine mueller. the special counsel's investigation is clearly entering a new and intense phase that is very threatening to trump, and trump aides are clearly freaking out. i guess the best thing we can say to them now is -- >> congratulations for not being indicted. >> seth: this has been "a closer look." [ cheers and applause ] ♪ >> seth: we'll be right back with blake shelton, everybody! [ cheers and applause ] ♪ >> announcer: for more of seth's "closer looks" be sure to subscribe to "late night" on youtube. trades and high-yield savings. ha . ♪ [ cheers and applause ] >> seth: welcome back, everybody. please give it up for the 8g band right over there! [ cheers and applause ] also sitting in with us this week, he was david letterman's drummer for almost 30 years on both nbc's "late show" -- "late night" and "the late show" for cbs. he continues to be an in-demand musician and is currently playing with joe bonamassa whose album "live at carnegie hall - an acoustic evening" is available now. anton fig is here, everybody. give it up for anton. [ cheers and applause ] our first guest tonight is a 9-time cma award-winning artist whose latest album "texoma shore" drops this friday. he's also a coach on the hit nbc show "the voice" which airs mondays and tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. let's take a look. >> so before you beat me next year, will you help me this year? >> yeah. >> okay. i don't think you're going to beat me. >> are you serious? >> but here's why. i think you're going to pass out during the blind auditions, 'cause you can't stop talking. >> yeah. >> long enough to breathe. >> i'm -- this is a -- >> so you'll be in the middle of a pitch. >> i've built up a tolerance. >> literally face first -- >> nope. >> on your buzzer. >> nope. >> is it possible that you talk more than miley? [ laughter ] >> seth: please welcome back to the show our friend blake shelton, everyone! ♪ [ cheers and applause ] >> seth: welcome back! [ cheers and applause ] >> good to be here, buddy. >> seth: always great to see you. >> thank you. thank you. >> seth: got to see you with one of the sweetest women in the world, kelly clarkson, right there. she's an adviser this year. you're saying no. maybe not. >> she used to be a friend, but now she's competition. >> seth: oh, i see. >> yeah. >> seth: so once anybody joins the realm of "the voice," a history of friendship goes out the window. >> yeah, because we had actually started filming the blind auditions for season 14. >> seth: got it. >> so we're in competition mode right now. >> seth: because she'll be a judge in season 14. >> that's right. >> seth: that's interesting. so no matter what your history is, they're just dead to you immediately. >> enemy. >> seth: wow. [ laughter ] >> seth: well, again, this is why you're so successful. >> that's right -- >> seth: because other judges let things like a heart get in their way. [ laughter ] >> that's -- can't do it. >> seth: you can't do it. >> can't do it, man. i didn't sign on to lose. >> seth: that's right. >> that's right. >> seth: you -- but -- >> they hired me to win the show. [ laughter ] >> seth: you -- just to speak to your history. you guys have done a duet together, you and kelly. >> we've done a duet together on a christmas album, and then we've done another duet together live a bunch of times, which is actually a hit that she had with jason aldean. >> seth: uh-huh. and do you enjoy -- so you go out and sing with kelly? is it very loose when you do something like that? do you get nervous when you're singing on somebody else's show? >> i get nervous when i sing with kelly. i mean, look -- i can do -- i can sing a little bit. >> seth: yeah. [ laughter ] >> but kelly -- >> seth: that's what everyone here says. >> but -- [ laughter ] exactly. so kelly and i, we've have known each other for every bit of ten years, and we've been great friends it's -- oh, my god, the stories i could tell, but -- she used to come to my shows back in the day every now and then, and hang out and that's actually -- that's another story. never mind. [ laughter ] she used to come hang out at my shows and she had this hit song at the time with jason aldean called "don't you want to stay here a little while." and -- at some point it was like, "hey, you're coming to my shows. you got this -- how about i work up that song with my band. you're here anyway goofing off, getting drunk. [ laughter ] you come out in the middle of my show and nobody knows you're here, and it'll be huge." and so we did that, and she came out. and i remember the first time she ever did it, she came out and the crowd -- it erupted. it's kelly clarkson. >> seth: sure. >> oh, my god. we only paid to see blake. >> seth: yeah. [ laughter ] >> we got our money's worth now, you know what i'm saying? so, anyway, it was incredible and then she came again. it happened, like, three times at my shows, and i remember every night after it was over i would go backstage and hanging out and we're all partying and having fun and be, like, you know, "what did you think? i mean, that was unbelievable." and every time she would be, like -- "eh, that was pretty cool." [ laughter ] and i'm, like, "what? there was -- all these people freaked out." and so then she had a show -- this was a long -- this is way longer than you thought. >> seth: no, but this is nice payoff. i'm excited. >> okay. so then she had a show in l.a. and she called and said, "hey, i want you to come do that song at my show this time." and i owed her one. >> seth: sure. >> so i went -- >> seth: technically you owed her three, i think. >> no, that's -- [ laughter ] please don't hear that, kelly. and so i went out and did the song with her that night and after the show i said, you know, "oh, my god, that was so cool, man. what did you think?" and the same thing it's, like, "well, it was pretty good." [ laughter ] and i remember, i go -- "what -- what in the hell?" like, what -- i thought -- i thought i was hitting the notes i was singing -- >> seth: yeah. >> i know i was singing on pitch, damn it. [ laughter ] and she looked at me and i'll have to clean this up, but she said, "how come you never sing the song like we're screwing?" [ laughter ] and i remember thinking, "what?" so -- and i rem -- and the reason that even came up is 'cause now she's a coach on "the voice." >> seth: yeah. >> and i go, "kelly, you can't be saying stuff like that to these kids." >> seth: yeah! well, i'm glad. [ laughter ] >> so -- >> seth: i'm glad you're there to keep her on the straight and narrow. >> thank you. thanks for making me tell that story, too. >> seth: i like that story a lot. >> i enjoyed it. this audience, they're -- >> seth: i would -- now, hopefully, singing like that is easier now when -- with gwen stefani because now you do duets with her. you co-wrote a song. >> it works better with gwen. >> seth: yeah. [ laughter ] >> yeah. >> seth: you're, like, already there. you don't have to do any of the pretend part. >> well, i mean, you know. [ laughter and applause ] >> seth: so you wrote a song -- so here's your album -- your new album, "texoma shore." you wrote a song for gwen. >> i did. >> that you're going to sing tonight. >> i'm singing that song tonight on the show. very excited about that. >> seth: how far into the process -- when you write a song for someone, obviously something that i've never done. at what point do you let them hear it? are they -- do you -- are you nervous when you say, "hey this is -- >> yeah, in fact, i remember we were making the record and as i was getting mixes back, she knew she was involved in a lot of -- she was there when i was recording a lot of it in oklahoma. and so she would hear the stuff as it was going down and -- and i remember when i wrote this song, and then recorded it, it was, "like, oh, yeah, here's another one. this is another one we did." and because i didn't want to say -- >> seth: sure. >> that's embarrassing. >> seth: yeah. >> i mean, come on! you don't want to be like, "hey, i wrote a song about you." [ laughter ] but i did write a song about her. >> seth: yeah. >> so, that's the truth. >> seth: but -- and then -- >> so it was like, just lay it out there and she -- and she liked it. >> seth: did you -- were you there the first time she heard it? because i wouldn't -- >> yeah. >> seth: i would rather, if it ever comes to pass, that i would write a song for someone. [ laughter ] i would say, "here it is. i want you to go in another room where i can't hear you." and then i want you to take a full hour to collect your thoughts. and then come -- >> well, there's a -- so i didn't say that i wrote the song about her -- >> seth: oh, i got you. >> then. i just said, "here's a song." and then she figured out there's a line in there that talks about -- >> seth: oh, i know the line. it's like this is about you, gwen. >> right. [ laughter and applause ] it says -- you know, just under the radar like that. [ talking over each other ] >> seth: just subtle. there in the subtext. >> maybe she won't hear it. >> seth: what is the line, though? >> it's -- she's revlon red. >> seth: oh, there you go. >> because she's the revlon girl. >> seth: and not only is she the revlon girl. this is -- was very impressive. she is -- well, this is projected on the side of the empire state building. >> oh, i know. >> seth: i mean, that's fantastic. i mean, did you ever think you would land a girl who was projected on the empire state building? [ laughter ] >> no -- no, i just -- and by the -- and how do you top that, by the way, too. >> seth: yeah. >> you write a song. >> seth: yeah, there you go. >> i wrote a song for her, see. [ laughter ] i wrote a song for her. [ cheers and applause ] i wrote a song. >> seth: and i'm really happy you're going to sing it for us tonight. >> take that, whoever the jackass was that put my girlfriend on the empire state building. you didn't write a song for her. >> seth: hey, oh, blake! come on, man! >> yeah, okay. >> seth: that guy just works for a building. [ laughter ] hey, i want to ask real quick, so it's "texoma shore." and is texoma a lake? or -- >> yeah. >> seth: it is? >> how can you never have heard of -- >> seth: well, it's interesting to me because, you know, i think a lot of us here are -- we live in the northeast. >> right. >> seth: we have not heard of it. [ laughter ] >> wondering what that is. >> seth: we've heard of texoma. >> well, lake texoma is on the border -- it actually is the border of oklahoma and texas right there in central oklahoma. >> seth: well, that's fantastic. >> yeah, and that's where, you know, that's where this record was made. >> seth: is it -- so that's where when you go back to oklahoma, you're right on the texoma lake? >> mm-hmm. i stay right there. >> seth: that's fantastic. well, i'm really looking forward to hearing the song. and i am very happy that for the rest of my life i will know what that is. [ laughter ] thanks so much for being here. it's always a pleasure. >> thank you. [ cheers and applause ] >> seth: blake shelton, everybody! "the voice" airs monday and tuesday nights at 8:00 here on nbc. we'll be right back with robin thede! [ cheers and applause ] ♪ hi. i'm the one clocking in... when you're clocking out. sensing your every move and automatically adjusting to help you stay effortlessly comfortable. there. i can also help with this. does your bed do that? oh. i don't actually talk. though i'm smart enough to. i'm the new sleep number 360 smart bed. let's meet at a sleep number store. i would like three two is standard. i'm not standard. three weeks. ok. nosy neighbor with a glad bag, full of trash. what happens next? nothing. only glad has febreze to neutralize odors for 5 days. guaranteed. even the most perceptive noses won't notice the trash. be happy. it's glad. when you're close to the people you love, does psoriasis ever get in the way of a touching moment? if you have moderate to severe psoriasis, you can embrace the chance of completely clear skin with taltz. taltz is proven to give you a chance at completely clear skin. with taltz, up to 90% of patients had a significant improvement of their psoriasis plaques. in fact, 4 out of 10 even achieved completely clear skin. do not use if you are allergic to taltz. before starting you should be checked for tuberculosis. taltz may increase your risk of infections and lower your ability to fight them. tell your doctor if you are being treated for an infection or have symptoms. or if you have received a vaccine or plan to. inflammatory bowel disease can happen with taltz. including worsening of symptoms. serious allergic reactions can occur. now's your chance at completely clear skin. just ask your doctor about taltz. ♪ [ cheers and applause ] >> seth: welcome back, everybody. our next guest is an actress and comedian who also served as head writer for "the nightly show with larry wilmore." she hosts a new late-night talk show called "the rundown with robin thede," which airs thursdays nights on b.e.t. please welcome to the show robin thede, everybody. ♪ [ cheers and applause ] >> seth: hi, robin. how are you? >> they sound amazing. >> seth: aren't they -- don't they sound great tonight? >> wow. it is so weird that they're not actually playing. >> seth: i know. >> it's just like a soundtrack. >> seth: i know, just all to a tape. every single bit of it -- >> yeah. >> seth: so congratulations on the show. >> thank you so much. >> seth: you and i, we've never worked together professionally, but we have similar career trajectories. >> that's true. >> seth: would you say that's true? >> i would say that's absolutely true. so we both went to northwestern university. >> seth: go cats. >> go wild cats. [ applause ] yep. we both went to second city. >> seth: uh-huh. >> and we're both black women. >> seth: yeah, there you go. [ laughter ] >> yeah. what was that -- no, there's another one. oh, the white house correspondents dinner. >> seth: yeah, so you -- i did the white house correspondents dinner in 2011. larry did it in 2016. >> yes. >> seth: and that was when you were the head writer. so you worked on his performance. >> yeah, i did. >> seth: it was obama's last year of doing it. so, how was the pressure for you guys? >> it was wild. because we had, you know, all of these years of obama practicing his stand-up, and then he comes out ready to murder. and he's fantastic. >> seth: he crushes in that room like no one will ever crush ever again. >> it's not fair. it's really not fair. >> seth: it's not fair that he goes first. >> no. >> seth: and you have to follow the president. >> correct. correct. he was good your year, too. and that was pretty early. >> seth: he was great -- he was always great. >> yeah. it's unfair. it's like he should still be president or something. >> seth: yeah. sometimes -- [ cheers and applause ] >> it's an idea. >> seth: now, you -- did you get a chance to -- there's sort of that photo line beforehand? >> yes. >> seth: did you -- >> so, yes. this was crazy. so backstage when you are getting ready to go to -- out into the floor, the president and the first lady are waiting there and receiving all of the vips, right? so larry goes first. and they hug him and embrace him. and then i come up. and they're, like, who is this? and i'm, like, i'm the head writer. and you know, barack obama is like, "great", shakes my hand. but michelle comes up to me. and she's like, "you better be funny! you better be funny." she's poking me in the chest. and i'm, like, "i don't know how to feel about this." >> seth: yes. [ light laughter ] >> i mean, i'm simultaneously excited, 'cause the first lady is like talking to me, but also being physically assaulted. >> seth: yeah. >> so -- [ laughter ] >> seth: and there are probably photos of it, 'cause it's during a photo line. >> yeah, there were definitely photos of it. but i'm sure the fbi has those and won't let me -- >> seth: well, i have another photo of you guys. because this -- so, you went to a christmas party as well. >> oh, my god! look! look at that! >> seth: now that is obviously -- >> that is me and my friend nicole, and these two folks! >> seth: yeah. [ laughter ] so did you -- obviously, so now you know the first time your interaction -- >> yeah. >> seth: was a little strange -- did you nail it the next time? >> no. okay so, this was actually the first time i met them. >> seth: okay, gotcha. >> so no, this time was even worse. and i made a total fool of myself. so this is the holiday party in 2015. and i go and i shake barack obama's hand. sir, nice to meet you, merry christmas -- and then michelle obama, the queen that she is, goes to shake my hand. we take the picture. and she goes, "merry christmas." and i go, "happy holidays." and she goes, "okay." [ laughter ] like, i don't know why i changed it. like, why was i trying to be super p.c.? >> seth: yeah. >> it was very odd. so the second time was no better and -- >> seth: yeah. well you know what? >> is she here? are you going to reunite us? >> seth: no, no, no. >> is she here? >> seth: no, no, no. [ light laughter ] >> please welcome, michelle obama! no? >> seth: no. so your congrats -- you cannot clap her into existence. so -- [ laughter ] >> yes, you can. >> seth: congrats on your show "the rundown." >> thank you. >> seth: so this is -- how would you describe it? it's like -- you've done three. >> yes. i've done three. i'm an expert. >> seth: yeah. >> it's a weekly show where we recap the week in politics and pop culture as it pertains to a black audience. we're on b.e.t., which stands for black entertainment television. not sure if you knew. [ laughter ] you have it on your cable, i promise you. you don't have to sign in with your race or anything. anyone can watch it. [ laughter ] and it's fantastic. we get to talk about everything from like, blac chyna to trump threatening north korea. it's fantastic. >> seth: that's fantastic. you were in improvisor in chicago, as you mentioned. one of our writers on her show amber ruffin -- >> yes. >> seth: who like the two of us, is a black woman. >> yes. [ light laughter ] >> seth: you guys did a show -- >> just us three black ladies. >> seth: you did it -- you did an improvised show based on the television show "227." >> yes, we did a show -- >> seth: first of all, who remembers "227?" [ cheers and applause ] >> oh, really? >> seth: less than you think, so. [ light laughter ] >> it was obviously after our time. we saw it on nick at nite. but, yeah, it was this '80s sitcom with marla gibbs and jackee harry. and it was set on a stoup basically in a brown stone. i played jackee. amber ruffin played pearl, the grandma that sat on the window talking to everybody. >> seth: yeah. >> and we would improvise never before seen episodes that were way too racy for television. and it was fantastic. and you know, amber was fantastic. she would sit in the window and just grump at the audience. >> seth: right. >> and i would come in, burst through the door and go -- oh, baby. [ light laughter ] if you googled "227" that impression will make sense. >> seth: i would actually say that based on how good that impression is, people should know, that was a character on a television show. >> correct. yes. it's not just me doing that. >> seth: no -- just for everybody -- just to make sure everybody goes and watches "227." here is what jackee really sounded like. >> oh, baby. [ light laughter ] >> seth: look it up everybody. and also watch "the rundown with robin thede" thursday nights on b.e.t. we'll be right back with music from blake shelton. [ cheers and applause ] ♪ ♪ this is google home mini. it's got the google assistant in it, so it's super helpful. watch this: "hey google, good morning." "good morning, claire." "it's 72 and sunny." "don't forget to wear some sunscreen." oh, that's nice. it'll also read you the news, look up traffic, and tell you: "your first meeting is at 9am." and you know how sometimes you're in bed and you can't get out of it until you hear that one song that... "okay, playing your get-out-of-bed playlist." ♪ yeah, it can do that too. it's google home mini and the rest of the google home family. ♪ sir jeremdilly, dilly.true friend of the crown. dilly, dilly! dilly, dilly! here's to the friends you can always count on. i got it from the same place i bought your present from last year... it's the thing from the link you sent us. ...and the year before... i found the perfect gift for you... ...but it wouldn't ship in time. so i just...texted you a photo. i bought it with one click. i included a gift receipt. it's the thought that counts? don't shop like everybody else. this year shop ebay for brand new, nearly new, and totally you gifts. ♪ ♪ it's exactly what i asked for. nothing brings out your inner child like the holidays. experience the excitement of the lexus december to remember sales event. experience amazing at your lexus dealer. advil liqui-gels minis. our first concentrated pill that rushes powerful relief. a small new size that's fast, cause it's liquid. woohoo! you'll ask, what pain? new advil liqui-gels minis. so, verizon and google have teamed up on the pixel 2. it's a match made in tech heaven. it's like verizon is the oil and google is the balsamic. no, actually they separate into a suspension. it's more like the google pixel 2 is the unlimited storage. and verizon is the best unlimited plan. what if it's like h2 and o? yeah. that's right. i had a feeling that would score with you guys. good meeting. (avo) when you really, really want the best get the pixel 2 for up to $300 off on google's exclusive wireless partner, verizon. ♪ [ cheers and applause ] >> seth: back to perform his new song, "turnin' me on," give it up for blake shelton, everybody! [ cheers and applause ] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ her kisses taste like whiskey burnin' through my veins she don't know ♪ ♪ how to miss me she hits right where she aims baby's got my number and she's callin' me up ♪ ♪ knows what she's doin' with a single touch she's turnin' me on turnin' me on ♪ ♪ pushin' my buttons like it ain't no thing if i'm what she wants she gets what she wants ♪ ♪ the neon's buzzin' when she pulls that string turnin' me on like it's her job ♪ ♪ sometimes i think she must get off on turnin' me on turnin' me on ♪ ♪ knows how to set me on fire she's always holdin' the match ♪ ♪ and when my body's beside hers there ain't no turnin' back she's revlon red ♪ ♪ in the blackest night lightin' up the room in the world just like she's turnin' me on ♪ ♪ turnin' me on pushin' my buttons like it ain't no thing if i'm what she wants ♪ ♪ she gets what she wants the neon's buzzin' when she pulls that string turnin' me on ♪ ♪ like it's her job sometimes i think she must get off on ♪ ♪ turnin' me on turnin' me on ♪ ♪ ♪ once she gets it started man it's all night long she's the needle ♪ ♪ on the vinyl of the midnight song she's turnin' me on turnin' me on ♪ ♪ she's turnin' me on turnin' me on pushin' my buttons like it ain't no thing ♪ ♪ if i'm what she wants she gets what she wants the neon's buzzin' when she pulls that string ♪ ♪ turnin' me on like it's her job sometimes i think she must get off on ♪ ♪ turnin' me on turnin' me on she's turnin' me on turnin' me on ♪ ♪ she's turnin' me on turnin' me on she's turnin' me on turnin' me on ♪ ♪ [ cheers and applause ] >> seth: blake shelton, everyone! the new album "texoma shore" is out this friday. we'll be right back! [ cheers and applause ] having moderate to seis not always easy.is it's a long distance run and you have the determination to keep going. humira has a proven track record of being prescribed for nearly ten years. it's the number one prescribed biologic by dermatologists. more than 250,000 patients have chosen humira to fight their psoriasis. and they're not backing down. for most patients clearer skin is the proof. humira can lower your ability to fight infections including tuberculosis. serious, sometimes fatal infections and cancers, including lymphoma have happened, as have blood, liver and nervous system problems. serious allergic reactions and new or worsening heart failure. before treatment get tested for tb. tell your doctor if you've been to areas where certain fungal infections are common and if you've had tb, hepatitis b, are prone to infections or have flu-like symptoms or sores. don't start humira if you have an infection. join over two hundred and fifty thousand people who have chosen humira. ask your dermatologist about humira and go. dude. yodude.unching's sthey're just jealous. kellogg's raisin bran crunch with crunchy clusters and the taste of apples and strawberries. i got one! guess we're having cereal for dinner. kellogg's raisin bran crunch apple strawberry. introducing degree ultracle♪r black + white saves your white clothes from yellow stains... ...and black clothes from white marks still with 48 hour sweat protection. degree ultraclear black + white it won't let you down t-mobile family plans now come with netflix included. that's huge. that's right. t-mobile's got your netflix subscription covered... ...when you get a family plan with two or more lines. really? that's incredible. so go ahead and watch however you want. you're messing with me, right? all at no extra charge. this is awesome! another reason why t-mobile is america's best unlimited network. mic drop. the ford year-end sales evente. is here. i can guide you in? no, thanks , santa, i got this. looks a little tight. perfect fit. santa needs an f-150. that's ford, america's best selling brand. hurry in today for 0% financing for 72 months across the full line of ford cars, trucks and suvs! and just announced... get 0 % apr for 72 months plus $1000 cash back! take advantage of these exclusive holiday offers during the ford year end sales event. hurry in! get thousands of styles from just five dollars right now at old navy. baa baa black sheep, have you any wool? no sir, no sir, some nincompoop stole all my wool sweaters, smart tv and gaming system. luckily, the geico insurance agency recently helped baa baa with renters insurance. everything stolen was replaced. and the hooligan who lives down the lane was caught selling the stolen goods online. visit geico.com and see how easy it is to switch and save on renters insurance. why arit's because sweeney'sing been exposed as aeeney? double dipping pension padder. caught spending campaign money on lavish dinners and fine cigars for his pals. investigated for being a lobbyist and a senator at the same time. sweeney voted to raise taxes 145 times while our economy continues to struggle. south jersey is a mess, and it's time to take out the trash. on november 7th, make a change. dump sweeney. nice to meet you sir. joseph, i'm nice to meet you.u? how's it going man? the yankees? come on. [ laughing ] look at the smiles and the hard work that the people here are doing. it's like making mini sandwiches. they're no different than anyone else. they just want a job. they want respect and they want dignity. this is a nice place. yeah. he plays basketball with lauren. steve called, fairly frantic. you know, he had a premature baby and i think he had just been given the diagnosis that she had down syndrome. lauren brought out the best in me. she made me a different person. deep down in his heart he feels for people who are disadvantaged. lauren's a light in everybody eye. she's the spark that has started the fire. the goal is to keep places like this open so all people, regardless of disability, have an opportunity for employment. see, i love you. i love you guys too. you know that. yeah. ♪ >> announcer: for more "late night", go to latenightseth.com. follow us on instagram and twitter @latenightseth. and be sure to check us out on youtube and facebook. head over to itunes and subscribe to the "late night with seth meyers" podcast. you'll get "a closer look" and more downloaded right to your phone. ♪ nobody delivers more for south jersey than steve sweeney. he stood up to north jersey special interests to increase funding for our schools. he stopped christie's commuter tax, saving south jersey residents over 200 million dollars. and he led the charge to pass paid family leave. aarp applauded sweeney for freezing property taxes for seniors and cutting prices on prescription drugs. "i got to take my hat off to him. he's a man of his word." steve sweeney. because there's more work to do to get south jersey's fair share. [ cheers and applause ] >> seth: my thanks to blake shelton, robin thede, anton fig, and of course the 8g band. [ cheers and applause ] stay tuned for carson daly. we'll see you tomorrow! [ cheers and applause ] ♪ ♪ >> carson: good evening and welcome to hyde in west hollywood. i'm carson daly here to guide you through yet another episode of "last call." coming up night, "dynasty" star liz gillies is the subject