If I were you (and you know how much I like to imagine that), I’d watch The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson especially closely this week. Back from a week off spent, it sounds, promoting his voice-work on How To Train Your Dragon, Ferguson seems spunky and restless, ever more eager to up-end talk-show conventions.
He referred to himself as “the Scottish Conan guy,” and to his audience as “hobos” pulled in from the street. Later in the evening he called the CBS studio from which broadcasts a “boxcar.” There’s an increasing tone of impatience with his position in the show-biz world and the whole talk-show thing. (Before his week away, he’d been chafing at having to wear a suit and tie, “like a f—ing mortician.”) Whether it’s real or feigned, this mood is making for some excellent TV. As it did last night, when he and guest John Cusack, after discussing whether or not you could drink so much you become sober, engaged in an excellent extended, silent, “awkward pause.” (Pause occurs about 3:40 into this clip:)
Tonight, Ferguson’s guest will be Jay Baruchel, another star behind How To Train Your Dragon. I’d wager we’ll get more genial rancorousness from Craig.
What do you think?
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Love Craig Ferguson- I feel like he is way too underrated.
Maybe he feels bored by the day to day talk show gig. I like him too though – Robot Skeleton Army unite!
I have seen Craig and Conan live. Poor Craig his studio audience is like 30 people. His set is just so tiny but he interacts with them and there is no cue cards. Everything is off the cuff and from his imagination. He is brilliant. Completely underrated he needs a bigger studio!!
“Awkward pause” is a pretty good way to describe John Cusack’s recent career choices.
Yeah, it sucks to be on movie sets, collect fat paychecks, have tons of vacation days.
How’s cubicle life treating you, office drone?
So jealous. My life’s ambition is to work with Roland Emmerich.
So you’re done with your Uwe Boll fixation, are you? If you devote half the energy into honing your craft, as you do in sarcasm, you might actually make it a z-lister.
hahahahha!
OMG, I have a stalker! How exciting!
What the eff are you talking about? I matched your crappy director with another. Get over yourself.
Oh, I get the game now. We’re guessing who John Cusack will work with next. Maybe Michael Bay has a spot in Transformers 3?
Wrong. He’ll be in a reboot of Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever. Now, with 35% more star suckage.
Anybody that has has worked with Gong Li is a god to me.
Bless you Cusack.
It pains me to say this, crispy, because I’m such a Better Off Dead/High Fidelity fan, but I have to agree.
This is the most entertaining online squabble I’ve ever seen.
You don’t get around much do you??
Sorry man BUT Hot Tub is hilarious and getting great reviews.
Love me some Craig. He’s the only late-night guy I’ll watch after Conan got the ax.
With the absence of Conan, Craig Ferguson is last bastion of originality in late night programming. Jimmy Fallon is likeable, but come on!
I record Craig every night. He is fantastic! More people should watch him or at least record him.
Ditto. Been watching regularly for over a year. A special treat is when he opens with a musical number. He’s the best.
He’s actually been out hitting the stand-up circuit, not promoting the film. He’ll be doing stand-up gigs sporadically until later this year. Craig is incredible…
Craig is simply “The Man” when it comes to late night talk shows. I and the rest of his legions of fans are thrilled that he’s back behind his crap desk inside the abandoned disco that he calls his studio. No one does so much with so little and does it brilliantly, night after night.
I didn’t start watching Craig until the whole Conan/Jay debacle. In fact, hadn’t watched late night for years. Craig is hands down my favorite. Thanks Jay!
He’s been doing the “awkward pause” thing for a couple months now… Haven’t seen the Cusack interview yet, I fell asleep sometime during the twitter/email segment, but I’ll check it out on my DVR. I personally think his railing at CBS, etc. is a schtick. Love it though! The man can tell a story!!!
He’s been calling himself the “Scottish Conan guy” and his audience hobos for a good long while too.
What do I think? I think he’s the single best person since Carson to do this job. Period.
Nothing else to add to your comment. Craig Ferguson – best talk show host on the air now. End of discussion!
Craig Ferguson is the best thing in the world! <3
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I love Craig and the monologue last night was fantastic as always but I am tired of awkward pauses and conversations that go nowhere. You’re smart Craig. I’m smart. You should treat your guests and your viewers like they’re smart too.
You hit the nail on the head.
I could barely sit through a minute of this ridiculous interview.
You really have to be…IGNORANT to find this amusing at all.
He treated John like a total idiot, lacking good questions to promote his movie (Which is the reason why he is there!) and causing some awkward and boring conversation.
It pains me to see Craig going down so quick. I feel sorry for him, he had a good run. This interview was pathetic.
Yeah, I houtght so Yeah, I houtght so too. While reading his books, I always imagined his voice just different, not as what I’m hearing. But, no biggie. Just wondering if the voice I hear as I read will fluctuate between the one I have come to know, and this one.
He was also touring with his standup comedy act. That’s mostly what he was doing, actually.
He was touring the south doing stand-up, not movie promotions.
craig. i feel like you want to move on in your life, and thats ok, but you need to make the call not CBS. tell CBS, your tired of doing the show,, and leave while your still on top .. leave with grace and style… we love you craig no matter what … as a viewer though i can tell the show is taking a toll on you… best to you always, xx
I would like you to have Chelsea Handler and Gerard Butler on your show.Also John Carroll of the SF Chronicle had a article about you on March 22nd
so says JOhn Carroll. Way to plug your work there, Johnny boy.
That’s JON Carroll.
Hi Craig,
Pleaaassssee Have Gerard Butler on again really soon. He’s been on everyones show this week but yours. You’re the only late night show I watch,(but I do have to record the shows and skip over everything but Gerry) and believe me you’re the greatest! Stay well, keep up the great show.
Thanks.