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Craig Ferguson Goes Audience-Free For A Night, Wins Wide Acclaim

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by Glenn Davis | 2:19 pm, February 24th, 2010

» 11 comments

Craig Ferguson of CBS’ Late Late Show isn’t shy about experimenting with the late-night format, with his pre-monologue monologues (which often include puppets), and lack of a band. The show he did last night, however, was a radical departure even for him. Inspired by Tom Snyder, the first Late Late Show host, Ferguson did a show with no audience, instead talking to Stephen Fry for the full hour.

Ferguson said having such an interesting guest was “protection” for him (another possible description: “smart”), but even so, Ferguson performed as well as could be expected working in a format with which he was unfamiliar, and further staked out his place as one of television’s most versatile talents.

The two just went back and forth, talking about whatever they felt like – their upbringing, past demons, Hugh Laurie, America (Ferguson became a U.S. citizen in 2008 and, awesomely, has this tattooed on his forearm), and perhaps most interestingly, technology. Fry discussed being the second person in Europe to own a Mac (the first: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy author Douglas Adams). They talked Twitter (Ferguson recently joined, while Fry is a longtime user), with Ferguson saying it was his “idea of a good and open mind” to “embrace a new idea.” Fry earned extra Twitter points by name-dropping co-founder Biz Stone via a play on words (watch the video and it will make sense). They even discussed trolling, with Ferguson expressing amazement that he even found vile comments under a Youtube video of late comedian Soupy Sales (“How can you hate Soupy Sales?”), but with Fry concluding that today’s “open society” is an “incredibly good thing.” It was a thoughtful, entertaining discussion – one that wouldn’t be possible under the normal talk show format.

Tonight, Ferguson will go back to business as usual, but based on the widely glowing reviews of last night’s show, he might be wise to try this format again. Ferguson already appeared to be the best interviewer in late night comedy before last night, but now there’s no question. He proved he can successfully do an entirely different kind of show than his competitors would feel comfortable putting on, and it’s one more reason that, whenever David Letterman steps aside, Ferguson deserves the show with one less “Late” in the title.

Apple, cbs, Craig Ferguson, Douglas Adams, Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Stephen Fry, Tom Snyder, twitter

m

Craig is an extremely talented individual and I love him. He’s great. Awesome to see that he’s experimenting with his show to keep things fresh!
Ben Linus

That sounds so cool. Good for Ferguson, and Fry is amazing whatever show he’s on.

I remember watching Tom Snyder on CNBC years ago, he was fantastic. I remember he showed footage of the old newscast he used to do, and the time he was caught on camera flipping some guy off. I think the guy he flipped off was his producer. That was hilarious.
Then, of course, Charles Grodin took over — and the laughter died a horrible death.
The Real Royal King

I wish I could see Ferguson more often. He is a true talent. Unfortunately, my schedule ….
marcus.lewis

Having a person as intellectually quick witted as Fry was the key to success, otherwise it would have just been Charlie Rose. I enjoy long form sit down interviews like Rose, I think it disarms the guest and makes it a bit more personable. I don’t believe this would work with just any guest, but kudos to Ferg on mixing things up.

When it first came on though, it had an awkwardness about it—reminded me of the atmosphere of the first show opening after 9/11 on the Daily Show where it was just quiet at the beginning.
http://www.sailrabbits.com Magister

I really wish Worldwide Pants would end their two-week embargo on full episodes of both Late and Late, Late. Too often, I end up missing Craig for one reason or another, such as this time and I’d happily add it to my daily online viewing, if the monologues weren’t two weeks old.

Hopefully they’ll rerun this sometime in the next couple of weeks or I’ll remember to check for it after some of my regular cbs.com viewing.

In the meantime, Colortinis all around, you cheeky monkeys.
Glenn Davis

Magister (and anyone else who may have missed it – Real Royal King?):

Confession: I didn’t actually see the episode last night. This is how I caught up: http://www.youtube.com/user/malinky2stoatir?blend=1&ob=4
The Real Royal King

Thanks, Jim. I did miss it. I’ll enjoy.
http://www.sailrabbits.com Magister

@Glenn Davis: Thanks. I tried to use the “related” feature, but wasn’t seeing another part.

Still, on a day when we have Les Moonves chiding NBC for thinking the internet is the enemy of the Olympics, it’s somewhat ironic that two of their flagship franchises are on a two week delay.

I’ve always figured that it’s Pants’ fault because the network seems to be very good about getting their scripted programming up, as soon as it’s aired across the Lower 48. I’ve got several topical programs set to automatically add to my Hulu queue in case I miss them and pretty much everything that I watch on CBS is via the .com. I’d gladly add the two Pants productions to my regular online viewing, if they weren’t on such a delay, the topics are no longer topical.
http://www.sailrabbits.com Magister

PS) (Because somebody at CBS used to blogsearch Craig and I assume they still might…)

Way back, the earliest incarnation of Later (the Carson Daly show) was Bob Costas with two comfy chairs doing something similar to Tom Snyder’s CBS gig or Tavis Smiley’s current thing. Of course, I grew up watching TS on Tomorrow and I have fond memories from throughout his career, but Bob Costas also did some good interviews using the format. And, though I could list a few good Costas interviews, if someone could find tape of the show he did with comedian Steven Wright, who remained in character throughout, you’d have probably the best example of what could go wrong with an audience-less program.
puck30

Ferguson has a bright future I enjoy watching him when I can, He will probably grab Dave’s spot when Dave decides to pack it in.

But Tom Snyder, the first late, night show? Ah! How soon they forget ‘Nightbeat’ with Mike Wallace and later John Wingate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37NmPDUvgA0
Michael_T

puck30 says:
“But Tom Snyder, the first late, night show? Ah! How soon they forget ‘Nightbeat’ with Mike Wallace and later John Wingate.”

Other forgotten but memorable interviewers I liked were Studs Terkel and David Susskind. Then there were the daytime notables including Merv Griffin, Phil Donahue and Mike Douglas.

Just last night I was reading a transcript of a 2004 Brian Lamb interview with Fox News’ Roger Ailes, who was the Executive Producer for Mike Douglas. In commenting on what makes a great TV interviewer he said he once made a list for his interviews for future Fox News hosts and it contained 27 qualities.

But he said the one thing all the really good ones have is an insatiable curiousity about people. I think this goes right to the heart of what makes Craig Ferguson so good. Also John Stewart who I consider the co-rival to Ferguson to take over Letterman’s show when he retires.

Conversely, I think this is why despite his past ratings success that Jay Leno is such a weak, or average, interviewer. He seems to be missing the “curiosity quotient” that all the greats have. Did you see the segment where he would do a remote and ask someone 10 questions? It was unbelievably awful at times and embarrassing to watch because of his all too frequent mechanical and unresponsive reaction to the answers from his guests.