David Letterman is retiring from Late Show with David Letterman next year but he won’t be the first CBS late night host out of the door. Craig Ferguson, the host of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, has announced his plan to depart the program this December.
The move isn’t completely unexpected with Ferguson being passed over as host of Letterman’s show and also picking up a new job as host of a new syndicated game show.
Here’s the official press release from CBS:
CRAIG FERGUSON ANNOUNCES PLANS TO STEP DOWN AS HOST OF “THE LATE LATE SHOW”
Critically Acclaimed Host of the Peabody Award-Winning Late Night Show to Sign Off in December
Craig Ferguson announced today that he has decided to step down as host of THE LATE LATE SHOW in December 2014.
Ferguson broke the news this afternoon to his studio audience during the taping of the show, which will be broadcast at 12:37-1:37 AM, ET/PT.
“During his 10 years as host, Craig has elevated CBS to new creative and competitive heights at 12:30,” said Nina Tassler, Chairman, CBS Entertainment. “He infused the broadcast with tremendous energy, unique comedy, insightful interviews and some of the most heartfelt monologues seen on television.”
Added Tassler, “Craig’s versatile talents as a writer, producer, actor and comedian speak to his great days ahead. While we’ll miss Craig and can’t thank him enough for his contributions to both the show and the Network, we respect his decision to move on, and we look forward to celebrating his final broadcasts during the next eight months.”
Said Ferguson, “CBS and I are not getting divorced, we are ‘consciously uncoupling,’ but we will still spend holidays together and share custody of the fake horse and robot skeleton, both of whom we love very much.”
Ferguson has several projects in the works, including hosting “Celebrity Name Game,” a syndicated game show beginning fall 2014, as well as developing television projects via his Green Mountain West production company.
Since its debut in 2005, THE LATE LATE SHOW with CRAIG FERGUSON has won critical acclaim for its unpredictable style and its host’s versatility and charm. The Scottish-born actor, writer, director and producer brought a unique approach to late night television, earning the show a Peabody Award in 2009, and an Emmy Award nomination for himself in 2006. The program’s signatures include an extended, unscripted monologue and guest interviews noted for their free-wheeling nature.
Ferguson has also received critical praise for his more serious commentaries, notably on the passing of his father, the Boston Marathon bombing, obtaining his U.S. citizenship and dealing with his own addictions after Britney Spears’ infamous meltdown in 2007.
He has taken THE LATE LATE SHOW out of the studio with remotes from the streets of Paris and Scotland, as well as broadcasts from Miami and New Orleans in conjunction with CBS’s coverage of the 2009 and 2013 Super Bowls. He also hosted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 2008 after becoming a U.S. citizen.
THE LATE LATE SHOW with CRAIG FERGUSON is broadcast weeknights (12:37-1:37 AM, ET/PT). Peter Lassally is the executive producer; Michael Naidus is the producer.
What do you think?Will you miss Ferguson in late night? Who should replace him?
I will miss Craig and Geoffrey Peterson and Secretariat!
In spite of being a school drop-out, Craig is obviously well-read and intelligent and his humor is one-of-a-kind. I wish the main man, the man behind Geoff, and the two men putting Secretariat in motion wonderful futures. I shall indeed miss them all.
Craig Ferguson and his intelligent, quick-witted, and sometimes silly humor will definitely be missed in my house. He is unique among talk show hosts and comedians, and is, without a doubt, irreplaceable. I won’t comment on Colbert, the Late Show, or new hosts for the Late Late Show. Suffice it to say, CBS missed a great opportunity to keep cutting-edge, witty, off-the-cuff and insightful humor alive on its network, and Craig Ferguson is not the loser. CBS is. And so are the rest of us.
We live in Australia so haven’t seen his show from the start. That’s a shame because we knew him from his earlier work in UK & enjoy his charm, honesty & wit immensely! He will definitely be missed!
Val & Mike Maier
Ferguson’s humor and insight is so unique that the Late Late Show won’t be the same show without him. I simply won’t watch it anymore. CBS has made a huge mistake and an entire ass out of itself for not promoting him to the Late Show to replace Letterman and introducing a whole new crowd–who goes to bed earlier–to Ferguson’s huge–make me burst-out-loud-laughing comedic talent! Stephen Colbert doesn’t have the same kind of humor or energy of Letterman and isn’t even in the same ballpark as Ferguson. I think he won’t be on Late Night too long because he doesn’t… Read more »
I think it is disgraceful that Craig Ferguson was passed over for Steven Colbert. I don’t think Colbert is even in the same league as far as humor, originality or talent. I have enjoyed every show I have watched and laughed out loud so many times that I have actually woken my husband up from a sound sleep. I can’t even get through a Colbert Report without being bored. CBS has made a huge mistake. If Letterman had any say in this.he should be ashamed. He knows what this feels like in a very real way. I hate Letterman leaving… Read more »
Geez, I never realized so many people stayed up so late. I’m fast asleep by then. I do need to be awake and alert in my job the next morning. Even if I taped it, I wouldn’t have time to watch it later.
A real loss for US TV-his ‘Scotland’ trip was a real highlight and his rapport with many guests was undeniable.
I doubt his leaving is anything much to do with not getting Dave’s job as he repeatedly stated that he liked doing his show his way without the same degree of network oversight.
I’ve read that too but I’ve also read a few times that he has a clause in his contract that says the network has to pay him a lot of cash if he doesn’t get Dave’s job.
While I’m glad Craig is moving on to other projects so he won’t be gone from TV, he will be irreplaceable. There’s no one prior to him that has done better and no one after him will do it either. He had a unique personality and wit about him that no one can even begin to replace. I’m hearing rumblings that Chelsea will take over for him and if that’s the case, I will be tuning out.
Good luck Craig, we’ll follow you wherever you go!
I’m sad to hear that Craig is leaving. His humor and wit is unmatched in the Late, Late show arena. I will really miss him! Who can show up a skeleton & fake horse and still draw super guests?
Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!