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The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson is an American late-night talk show hosted by Scottish American comedian Craig Ferguson, who is the third regular host of the Late Late Show franchise. It follows Late Show with David Letterman in the CBS late-night lineup, airing weekdays in the US at 12:37 a.m. It is taped in front of a live studio audience from Monday to Friday at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California, directly above the Bob Barker Studio. It is produced by David Letterman's production company Worldwide Pants Incorporated and CBS Television Studios. Since becoming host on January 3, 2005, after Craig Kilborn and Tom Snyder, Ferguson has achieved the highest ratings since the show's inception in 1995. While the majority of the episodes focus on comedy, Ferguson has also addressed difficult subject matter, such as the deaths of his parents, and undertaken serious interviews, such as one with Desmond Tutu, which earned the show a 2009 Peabody Award.
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, airing from 2005 to 2014, wasn't your typical late-night talk show. Nestled in a cozy corner of CBS's schedule, it offered a unique blend of irreverent humor, insightful interviews, and a genuine human connection with its host, the Scottish comedian Craig Ferguson.
This wasn't a show built on celebrity-obsessed monologues or vapid punchlines. Instead, Ferguson's format revolved around a distinct blend of pre-recorded comedic sketches, live musical performances, and intimate interviews. The sketches, often surreal and absurdist, featured both Ferguson and his impressive "robot" alter ego, a character who served as an awkward, yet endearing, foil to the host's quick wit. These comedic interludes, while consistently hilarious, never overshadowed the core strength of the show: its heartfelt conversations with guests.
Ferguson had a knack for putting guests at ease, drawing out genuine responses and fostering a sense of connection with the audience. He wasn't afraid to delve into deeper topics, engaging in thoughtful discussions on everything from politics and philosophy to personal struggles and triumphs. The result was a show that felt both entertainingly funny and surprisingly insightful, a rare feat in the often-superficial world of late-night television.
The "Late Late Show" format was further enriched by its resident band, Ferguson's own group of jazz and rock musicians. Their live performances, often interspersed with humorous banter, added a layer of eclectic musicality to the show, showcasing a diverse range of talent beyond the realm of traditional late-night fare.
Throughout its 10-year run, "The Late Late Show" witnessed a number of memorable moments. Ferguson's playful interactions with celebrities like Jon Stewart and Conan O'Brien showcased his genuine camaraderie within the late-night community. His interviews with actors like Matt Damon and George Clooney, while still peppered with humor, also revealed a deeper level of respect and intellectual curiosity.
The show's cancellation in 2014 wasn't met with widespread fanfare, largely due to its lack of mainstream appeal compared to bigger shows like "The Tonight Show" or "The Late Show." However, "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" carved out a unique space in late-night television, remembered for its quirky charm, intelligent humor, and heart. It served as a reminder that sometimes, the best late-night conversations are the ones that aren't afraid to delve beyond the surface, exploring the human experience with wit, warmth, and a touch of absurdist joy.