The recent NBC late night debacle seems to be scaring others away from anything similar. Craig Ferguson has never really relished being called a late night talk show host, but now he seems even more determined than ever to keep his distance.
Ferguson has hosted The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson since 2005. His is the third Late Late Show program to lead out of CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman. The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder lasted for four years and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn lasted for five. In a month or so, Ferguson’s show will surpass Kilborn’s number of original episodes.
In light of what happened at NBC, Ferguson was asked if he would consider moving up to the 11:35pm time on CBS when Letterman retires. Ferguson refuses to even consider it. Even back in 2007, he didn’t enjoy the fame that came along with the late night chatfest, saying, “I just don’t know if I like being that visible.”
Nearly three years later, he seems to feel even more strongly about making a move up. He says, “As I watched that, whatever that was, unfold, I realized that I am not part of this — I am not part of the late-night clubhouse… Don’t ever rope me in as a late-night talk show host. I don’t want to be one.”
When Letterman retires, Ferguson has no intention of taking his place. “I neither care nor have any ambition about that,” he says.
Ferguson feels that it would be a mistake to try to take his unique show and move it into the Letterman spot. He cites the recent Conan O’Brien debacle as a good example that CBS should learn from.
He adds, “I do a show. It comes on late at night on TV. And if that means I’m a late-night talk show host, then I guess I am, but in every other regard I resign my commission, I don’t care for it.”
What do you think? Do you think Ferguson would be a good replacement for Letterman? How should CBS plan to replace Letterman?
In my honest opinion, I really believe that Craig would be a very good replacement for Dave when he does retire or resign from his position. In regard to NBC, I think, and I don’t know if some people agree with me. It’s all pre-organized to end up that way. I believe that NBC, the network, Conan and even Leno, came up with the idea to stir up the situation, so more people would watch the episodes upfold. I believe NBC wanted to get more publicity, so their ratings would go up. In the background both Jay and Conan were… Read more »
I think America has welcomed Craig Ferguson into there hearts and I believe he can do whatever he wants to do, its the middle of the night im half asleep and he comes on and I have laughed so hard that he makes tears come to my eyes and my neighbores say they can hear me clean in there house laughing at one AM. I was lucky enough to have him read one of my e-mails on the air, but I have to admit and come clean here , Craig Ferguson IS the New Standard for late night fun, I… Read more »
I truly don’t think that Craig would be a good replacement for Letterman. A lot of what works on the LLS is the intimacy–there’s no stage between him, the audience or the camera and his style fits that. He’s right there in your face. I just can’t see him connecting with his audience if there’s a barrier between them. I also don’t think he has the following that Letterman has, either. Further, Craig doesn’t seem all the enamored of being a talk-show host and while I’ll go through withdrawal after the last broadcast of LLS, I’ll manage somehow. He’s a… Read more »