INTERVIEW: A Conversation With “Late Night With Seth Meyers” Producer And North Fork TV Festival Co-Director Haleigh Raff

Haleigh Raff, a Late Night with Seth Meyers Producer, is also the North Fork TV Festival’s Co-Director. She is a highly respected veteran and insider of the world of late night TV. She is from a small town outside of Cleveland, Ohio, but now resides in NYC and spends lots of time at her Shelter Island home with her husband Glenn, and their children.

Raff has said her main mantra at work and in life is: “I always remember where I come from, but I always represent who I work with and for, respectfully and professionally. The caveat is I am doing my dream job, I am living my dream, so, of course, that helps a lot.”

About this year’s North Fork TV Festival, she was very optimistic about the auxiliary plan Founder Noah Doyle and the board has come up with due to COVID-19 protocols.

Raff shared some of her personal COVID-19 work experience, noting, “We were on Shelter Island all summer. On March 13th, we had a show [NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers] and we decided it was time to quit taping for the day to see what’s what and we never went back. We went to Shelter Island for the weekend and we were there until last week. I’m back now in the city. I live on the Upper East Side and it feels okay up here, it’s quiet up here, my kids go to school [nearby]. You just have to be a little more careful.”

Then, the conversation pivoted to the North Fork TV Festival and her role as Co-Director. The 2020 North Fork TV Festival will be an exclusive drive-in event at the Castello di Borghese Vineyard in Cutchogue on Saturday, October 17. Parking opens at 5:30 p.m., food goes on sale at 6:00 p.m. and the program starts at 7:00 p.m.

Raff relayed, “I am happy to be part of it! We are just reinventing it this year; that’s what we all are doing in our lives. We discussed Zoom and virtual at one point, but I think one thing we are all craving is something that feels normal and this [drive-in option] is something special to make folks feel normal, have a food truck nearby, have a glass of great Borghese wine, and enjoy some independent television and have a really fun night. There has been great interest. I know we are pleased to be able to do this in a really safe way, which is most important.”

She further elaborated, “I will be attending, my role is I am on the board and I am helping Noah Doyle make the decisions based on what the festival looks like, what the dates are with any talent that’s involved this year. Just being involved in all areas. For me having a place in Shelter Island and being so connected to the area, it was really important for me that the festival continued. I think a lot of organizations are trying to figure out how to do everything in this climate and I am really happy that this is where we landed, because I think it checks off every box for what people want right now in a way that doesn’t feel like we are doing anything that doesn’t feel safe. I love the North Fork and I just love that we are doing this this year and I love there has been such enthusiasm. It’s going to be a fun night!”

Haleigh Raff has an office at 30 Rock and a stellar resume, including working with Conan O’Brien, The View, Regis Philbin and Kathy Lee Gifford, and now Seth Meyers. Raff is a role model and prime example of a dynamic, determined woman becoming successful in television by being both talented and hardworkingly loyal. As she said, “Even as a child, I had dreams of working in TV in New York.” Now, she is helping others attain their dreams in television through the North Fork TV Festival.

Castello di Borghese Vineyard is located at 17150 County Road 48 in Cutchogue. To learn more, visit www.northfork.tv.