'Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking' review: HBO/Max special gives us a closer look at the host's stand-up skills

Seth Meyers is the cousin with the dry sense of humor who sits next to you at the wedding reception and constantly comments on what's going on, always causing a laugh but never getting too bitchy. He's the funniest dad in the stands at the Little League game, but he never makes fun of the kids. He's way too nice for that.

With eight years as host of “Weekend Update” on “Saturday Night Live,” followed by a decade as host of his own late-night talk show, Meyers is the persona of the wise and level-headed voice of reason who sits behind the desk and delivers things ironically and precisely in order. We don't necessarily think of him as a stand-up artist, but as we saw on the 2019 special “Lobby Baby” and now on HBO's “Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking,” he's a polished and comfortable professional, which can provide an hour of comfort comedy without breaking a sweat.

Filmed at the Vic Theater in Chicago, this is a no-frills special in which Meyers speaks to the audience as if we were all friends and could all empathize with the stories that come from his experiences as a husband and father – stories that are exaggerated Funny effect, of course. There is no footage of Meyers walking the streets and entering the theater, no film clips edited into the show, no music or video accompaniment. This is classic, straightforward, joke-centered material. Meyers isn't interested in breaking new ground or getting you into trouble with sensitive material. We're all here to laugh and then go home safely.

Meyers freely admits that he views his family through a comedian's lens, saying of his children, “I want them to be happy, but I also want them to be happy.” He points out that as a parent Young children don't binge shows, but “micro-binge” them because one of you falls asleep as soon as you point out something. He notes that only “a stupid, unmarried, childless couple” would invite an entire family to a wedding, and admits that his children sometimes annoy him, such as when they play board games:

“I hate the way they roll the dice. You can't leave two dice on the table to save your life.” You'll be giggling and nodding in agreement the whole time.

There's mild but consistently funny social commentary, such as when Meyers says that in the current climate, white comics can only make fun of certain accents, the limit being Europe's borders. He tells of a German man who comes up to him and asks him how Meyers would feel if a German comedian had an American accent. The answer: “I'll never see a German comedian.” We're also treated to a great bit where Meyers talks about how annoying it is to have a brother who's vegan.

The delivery is polished, professional and on point. Descriptors like “affable” and “genius” almost seem like backhanded compliments when we're talking about comedians, but Meyers comes across as a genuinely decent guy with just enough edge. He is a very funny dad man walking.