Geoff probably isn't represented because although craig loves josh, he sites the introduction of Geoff as a character on his show as 'part of my failure to fully deconstruct the late night talk show medium'. the author of the vid probably also knows this.
Ricky Gervais "This isn't a talk show." ~ Craig "That's right! You're the only one who's gotten it!" How could you not put this gem in? Miss the show already, get on with doing 'it' Craig!
I feel like this video should have been 10 minutes longer. There is so much more to talk about with Craig and what he did. Half of it wasn't even him trying to do it, either. It just happened naturally from his bullshit-less, idgaf ways. I feel like more people should be aware of Craig, specifically his eulogies and those older monologues that showed us how special this scottish bastard was, and is. Thanks though Nerdwriter, for touching on the greatest under-appreciated "late night douche" we've known. And his gay robot skeleton and 'not-a-real' horse.
i keep praying that kaptainkristian will make a video dedicated to craig. craig deserves the effort and the consideration kaptain's videos provide and he is so well worded that i'm just honestly curious to see what he'd say about the show
I was so disappointed with the send-off Craig received (or lack thereof, rather). Other hosts got full-month extravagant countdowns with fluff pieces on every major news station. Poor Craig, brilliant as he was, ended his career with so little fanfare in comparison. It was sad to see.
+MokaBees I don't know if his viewership (ratings) was as extensive as Letterman's. That's why he probably did have multiple countdown/send-off episodes. Most of the follow-up guys tend to have worse ratings than the late night shows before them (Seth Myers, Corden, Kimmel, etc). It's still a damn shame but that's my theory as to why it happened.
+stoobbs +Adrian Durlej He also was (and still is) hosting Celebrity Name Game, which pairs a contestant with a celebrity. I still have to ease into that, but he's doing a fine job with that as well. I do look forward more to Join or Die, though, because it'll probably be just as unorderly as the Late Late Show was.
Craig was so great mainly because the job of a late night comedy talk show host was so beneath his abilities it was ridiculous. This is a man who lived, almost got chewed up by life but came out the other size. Very intelligent guy who was visibly giddy to conduct a serious interview with Stephen Fry that time and park the cheap laughs for once. Amazing to think this off the cuff comedy wit was only a part of his repertoire. Jimmy Fallon is just a 40 year old teenager who is dumbing down the format to suit teenagers.
+rivolinho couldn't have said it better myself, sir! Fallon seems like a corporate stooge compared to Craig! Ferguson is the only late night host that made everything he did seem improvised, instead of created by a team of comedy writers. I loved the fact that his interviews especially were spontaneous and that he ripped up those stupid cue cards EVERY time! lol
Conan's the only late night show left with any sense of being aware of the absurdity and irony of late night. Craig was the absolute best, but now that he's gone only Conan has some intellectual honesty to go with his humour.
Then you have to consider Stephen Colbert is up there with Conan too, based of those credentials. I grew up a humongous Conan fan and he was really the only talk show host I truly loved...until I found Craig on TH-cam. His show wasn't on here in Sweden, but boy...I sure wish it was. :/
+JimmyKingster Colbert just doesn't do it for me anymore. I enjoyed his content for a while, but I honestly think I liked him more when he was playing a character.
I found conan show on TH-cam and it was so fun to watch. But one-day a video of craig come into recommended videos and man.. since then I’m watching everything about craig on internet .
Colbert lost me when he took over Lettermans show. He was suddenly a boring democratic shill like the rest of them. John Stewart is the only guy that came close to Ferguson I think. John Stewart mastered those awkward pauses and deliberately sabotaged many of his own bits for the sake of comedy.
+MrBfg586 Indeed! Letterman was pretty good at doing interview too but what's awesome about Craig is that he seemed to improvise 100% of his interviews instead of looking at that stupid note card that these people use. Jimmy Fallon creates ZERO sexual tension with his female guests; it's like he's their brother in those interviews!
+Fawad B Well Fallon isn't that young but his whole persona is sort of 20 something frat boy. It would be even worse if he tried to hit on his female guests. Craig was knocking on 50, was Scottish, was borderline crazy but he had that glint in his eye, rogueish smile and of course the Connery impression, so it was ok for him!
+rivolinho I know, Jimmy Fallon is 40 but his "persona" is way too nice on the Tonight Show. He's like a weird combo of that mean girl who's faking being nice to everyone and the frat boy thing that you mentioned. Honestly, his interview are just awkward most of the time even if it's a male guest. It's really obvious that he's just pretending to be interested (with his horrible fake laugh) and he pretty much gets the guest to plug their movie/play/book/album and then quickly moves on to some silly shit like Pictionary. It's kind of interesting sometimes but at some point its like: dude if you just want to play pictionary or password with these people invite them to your damn house! lol...I know that all hosts have to pretend to be interested but Jimmy had a lot more wit (in his monologue and in interviews) and seemed to be more natural on his Late Night show. Other hosts know how to do interviews better & you don't get the impression that their faking the whole thing. The only good thing on the Tonight Show are the occasional viral videos!
One of the things that I think that Craig did best was that he was able to put all of his guests almost instantly at ease, he took the generally accepted interview formula of other talk shows and just turned it into a conversation between two people. Very few talk show hosts could do this as well as Craig did.
Did he though? I liked Ferguson a lot, I think what he tried to do was innovative and he was ultimately a comedian with integrity who owned the format of the show, rather than being consumed by it. However, his interviewing style for women was friendly, spontaneous and very flirty. This depended heavily on his charm and the indulgence of his guests and I think it's fair to question whether he took too many liberties with that approach. Evidence for this can be seen in his numerous uncomfortable interviews with women where he comes across like an unsuccessful, if charismatic, pickup artist.
@@williamsmith9579 Too many liberties to aproach like what, making a joke here and there? This is "taking too many liberties to approach" to you? And let's be honest anyone that accepted to do a talk show with him already knew what would happen on the show also everything was playful acting between Craig Ferguson and the guest. I would take this format anyday than fake laughing from the host, stupid questions without no essence behind and male hosts that consider women dieties and not normal human beings.
I have been watching late night TV since the days of Steve Allen. Ferguson is the best, he is the hardest working man on TV. great video, made me a subscriber.
5 minutes of tears of joy in rememberance and celebration... Then 23 seconds of tears of laughter from re-living those incredible eps with Larry King filling in for Geoff! WOW almost 2 years since this video and the late night scene is so terribad i miss CraigyFerg so much...
i remember being old enough to start watching late night shows, and craig ferguson was my absolute favorite, with conan in second place i was lucky enough to go to a taping for two episodes, and i will never forget him telling the audience not to do a few things, including gasping loudly so the show starts and he says something during the monologue and i accidentally gasped loudly, to which craig yelled out a 'what did i say!' being yelled at by him is a memory i will treasure forever
I discovered this show about a few weeks after it's end. (/cry) I looked up every freaking youtube clip I could find and binge watched them all. This man is amazing.
I wonder where Eric Andre might fit on the Ferguson to Fallon late-show scale... While Craig Ferguson played with late night tropes for authenticity, The Eric Andre Show seems approach the formula with an absurd contempt. Ferguson seems to want "real moments" in a fabricated press junket industry, while Andre demonstrates it's all a meaningless farce. Both shows are great!
You know, I spent a lot of time thinking about Adult Swim and the place it occupies in late night comedy. I mean, that is /true/ absurdity and I love it all. But it's not Late Night, traditionally conceived, just like The Daily Show, Colbert, Comedy Bang Bang and others aren't. I'm talking about network TV, the big three, the house that Carson built. Being subversive from within that juggernaut is what makes Craig so special.
Also to note, I don't consider The Eric Andre Show spontaneous or improvised. It's probably largely preplanned tapings where they come up with "wouldn't it be crazy if we did this" gags. Ferguson is to layered and unconventional to be loved by mainstream demographics like Jimmy and Letterman
Will Smith I don't think it claims to be spontaneous or improvised. They plan out what they want to do. It's just that the celebrity isn't in on it. If you check out some of the clips from the show on TH-cam you'll see that many celebrities have a genuine look of terror on their face. Many have even walked out in the middle of the show.
He was definitely the most charismatic late night host of his generation; i never watched his show religiously but I loved the unique way in which he did interviews and that everything seemed spontaneous & improvised! 1. Letterman was really witty but ultimately was the old cranky guy in my opinion, 2. Conan has the awkward nerd shtick (that was awesome but nothing like Craig), 3. Leno was just a creepy fat guy (who's appeal is beyond me), 4. Fallon is like an teenager who always seems to be trying too hard to be funny imo. 5. I don't get why anyone likes Seth Myers and James Corden to be honest lol (both un-charismatic as fuck)...with the exception of a few viral videos.
+Fawad B While I agree with you for the most part, I have to defend Seth Meyers. I concede that Seth isn't the funniest host, but he does bring something else: commentary. Instead of reciting a successive list of punchlines as they relate to any of the news-making stories of the time (which I still enjoy with Conan), Seth actually takes a different approach by choosing to present and dissect it himself while also talking a definitive stance on the subject. Something a host like Jimmy Fallon desperately avoids. Also, Seth has also previously stated that he takes inspiration from Ferguson to a degree, as he chooses to conduct interviews without the use of any cue-cards but rather by wherever the conversation leads him. I'm by no means saying he's the best around, but I also don't think he should be as easily dismissed and that he does carry substance. Just sayin'.=)
pacmanfantastic He just doesn't seem to have the energy of a Conan or Fallon or the wit/presence of a Letterman in my opinion. I'll admit that I've never watched a full episode of his show though & have only seen snippets of a few youtube videos. I'll check him out. Have you seen Colbert? He does his show in a somewhat unique way, not only in terms of format but also in terms of how he does interviews. He's not the wittiest host but his interviews don't seem as fluffy as most late night hosts. His monologues and jokes also seem a lot more politically opinionated.
Fawad B I'll give you that he doesn't have the presence of other hosts. But I do find some of his segments like "A Closer Look" to be interesting. And yes, I have seen Colbert, and I agree, he does have more depth to his interviews as well more direction and purpose to his questions. I would like to see the format of late night television in general continue to head toward and build on this sort of trend.
pacmanfantastic I hope so but I think that most of them are gonna go in the Fallon-esque direction (though not as silly). Conan was the one who got the ball rolling in the direction of unopinionated, silly comedy. Kimmel and Fallon took that to new heights & it's gonna be hard to continue in the Colbert/Myers direction cuz they have to compete with the viral content that Kimmel, Fallon (and sometimes Corden) are generating. I really hope that it doesn't go that way but it seems to be the case. I'm happy to say that Colbert is #2 in ratings though, behind Fallon.
I adored Craig. The bits of craziness mixed with his sincerity are a mix that you rarely see. I grew up (and remain) a Letterman guy. I just enjoyed his ability to not hide his contempt for stupidity and his exploits in absurdity. Letterman, however, has always remained a talk show, where Craig almost rejected the format. Great video. I am a huge fan of late night TV, and especially talk shows. For whatever reason I am drawn to the format. It is outdated and not really needed anymore, but I still enjoy the occasional great moments that seep into our culture.
The irony of all this is that the guest hosts who took over after Craig's departure turned the show into just a regular late night talk show. I hope James Corden can do something with the format, but it looks like Craig's show will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Agree with you 100% Craig Ferguson was a breath of fresh air he really turned things around with his late night show the way he never did your standard interview with celebrities i liked the way he made them seem like conversations or two people talking in a pub or a bar or something, the whole thing with Geoff,secretariat was just genius watching drew carey, and the replacement hosts just makes you realize how brilliant Craig was and just deepens the void that is left....
osaro runner ...annnd, the celebrity guests were appreciative of his difference. they LOVED coming on his show and not having the added pressure to talk about cliche showbiz shit in the cliche way. craig had fans all around.
Have you seen Adam Pally guest hosting, I thought he did an incredible job of the 'dontgiveafuck' de constructing style employed by Craigyferg. Wish he was on more tbh. Like you I really hope that James Corden does well, but as a guy from the UK im very nervous for him.
Not one shot I saw of Kristen Bell, his greatest partner-in-crime. I'll have to rewatch the video a couple more times to see if you squeezed her in there, but the two of them were a match made in heaven.
There is going to be a hole in Late Night, for sure. I loved Craig so much. If you haven't read his book, American on Purpose, I highly suggest the audio book. He does the voice over and brings so much emotion and life into it.
Okay, so I'm going through your archives (only discovered you with your great video on Children of Men). Thanks to this video, you are now one of my favourite TH-camrs. Craig Ferguson was the ONLY talk show I watched. I love his story about Geoff Peterson. How he created the robot/character as a complete mockery of the sidekick persona in late night. Except, when Josh Robert Thompson really took off with the character and made it his own (arguably equal to and sometimes BETTER than Ferguson, even making poor Craig crack up sometimes), he became that great sidekick host that Craig planned on mocking.
Craig is the best. I watched him every day for the past 3 years, and no other host would keep me for that long, and that's not only for the exactly my sense of humor but for the interview - he gave us the true conversations, neglecting the promotion of films for the things that just popped in his mind, giving us the opportunity to see how celebrities react/talk/conversing in real life. There was never anything fake about him. And I like Fallon too but It's so obvious he's determined to entertain in the television-censors approved-entertainment way and Craig is simply not giving a single fuCRANKY. If he want's to talk about something, he'll stop you and talk about that, and ask what do you think. And It's real. It's not humor that've been tested to see If people will laugh.
for me Craig Ferguson's Late Late night show is the best thing that ever happened on TV, even though I only watched it on youtube after it already ended
Craig Ferguson was always my favorite late night host. I watch the clips on TH-cam since I don't have tv. I think that in a way his stuff was always more sincere than the rest. For me it comes from his fan boy moments, and his willingness to make things uncomfortable(ly funny) without being mean to anyone (except maybe the Scots). He's just not afraid to go with what he's feeling, censors be damned. I'm so sad his show is over.
I had an alarm on my phone for when this show came on and the alarm was the theme song. That way even if I fell asleep I wouldn't miss it. I miss this show.
This is phenomenal. Thank you for capturing the greatness of this remarkable genius. I'm watching this at the very same moment I would be watching his show. He truly makes a great day for America!
I caught the show on its last couple of seasons and was so thankful I did. I told my sis that if we made it to LA we'd go and see his show. Then he retired. But at least TH-cam has plenty of clips. We'll never have a host like him again.
I come back to this video a lot, mainly to show my friends what my favorite TV show of all time is lolol. But one thing I’ve also realized about this video too, is that it’s SOO difficult to explain to outsiders why this show was brilliant. Like, MY GOD it was random. I still miss it so much every day.
Fallon is the ultimate "Yes Man". He's the guy who gets up at the high school talent show, and everyone fawns over and says "LOOK!! Jimmy's dancing!! Jimmy's dancing!!". Fallon is actually setting late night BACK.
I was young when I remember seeing Craig on late night but he was still always my favorite. Seemed like he was making the show he wanted more so than the show execs wanted, more genuine
Initially, I wanted something which represented some kind of deconstructionist contempt for the late-night genre and the idea of a sidekick, but [Josh Thompson] became so good at it, he just became a sidekick. - Craig Ferguson, April 2012[6] From the wikipedia article on Geoff
I added this to my favorites before it even finished buffering. You hit the nail on the head. Real life is not structured Q&A with convenient segues. It's a spectrum ranging from wild banter to awkward pauses to meaningful pauses preceding the asking of meaningful questions and giving meaningful answers. He brought a sincerity to late night that hadn't existed before and still doesn't (at least not to that degree). Well done.
All of these reasons are why I love Craig so much. His show was so different and spontaneously hilarious without trying too hard. His banter with Geoff was the best part of the show!
You are truly enthusiastic genius. You always look and study seriously-deeply-practically-totally into subjects which you will discuss. You address things that very few ones do or care. You explained, analyzed, indicated the reasons why I like something which I can't address. I admire you and your essay videos. I think your channel will become something big in TH-cam. Good luck and I am awaiting your next videos.
Since Craig left, I will never watch any other late night show again. not because i don't want to, but simply because no other host could have ever make me laugh like CraigyFerg.
Craig was the only late night talk show I ever watched - purposely. I'd crawl into bed every night at 12:35 and watch him every night. Would never have done that for any of the others. I miss his show.
This is actually pretty normal for comedy in the UK. You can look up this stuff on TH-cam. It has been around for a long time. We have Monty Python, of course, but also a long running radio gameshow called I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue which, amongst other quirks, features a beautiful, glamorous scorekeeper called Samantha who never speaks (and of course is not even there). Have a watch of Simon Amstel on Never Mind The Buzzcocks or Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer on Shooting Stars. It's part of British humour to be cynical, irreverent and to mess around with the accepted formula. Craig Fergusson just did it over there.
Thanks for the suggestions, Ben. I'm well aware of the tone that predominates in the UK, of what's allowed and how far they're willing to go. I've been a fan for a long time of many of those shows. This story, however, is as much about American culture as it is about American late night talk shows. The worlds are different. They grow out of different traditions, different histories, rivalries, jealousies, prides, fears, illusions, fantasies. It took perhaps a (UK) foreigner to shake that up, but as his American citizenship was something he made a point of highlighting, he took hold of the American consciousness (in however small and intense a way) and did something here, to us, that was new.
Craig's show was unrehearsed and everything he said and every interview or let's better say conversation was spontaneous. Is there really a host in the UK who rips off the preinterviews or makes fun of his network? What Craig did is even today unimaginable to the late night tv shows, because the hosts are boring and afraid . It doesn't matter where he's from. James Corden is British and will be the host, but I'm more than sure that he will stick to the old formula of preinterviews and boring monologues and actual interviews just like every other late night show so I don't think it has to do with the British ''way of doing things''...
benfleming1000 I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue is amazing! Probably my favorite piece is the "Murder by Moonlight" role play. Just listen to it here vocaroo.com/i/s1TtuH7WYDSC. And I agree, British talk shows are so much more out of the box, the standard structure, etc. Compared to it, all US shows look too "distilled".
Nerdwriter1 I would also add to that list the talk/music show 'TFI Friday'; utterly anarchic, surreal, fun, entertaining and self-aware - creating an environment where it felt as though you (the audience) had somehow sneaked into a house party in full swing where the celebrities of youth culture would hang out. It made other talk shows with music guests seem boring, formulaic and predictable. Chris Evans, its presenter, would constantly risk the entire flow of each episode with impromptu and impulsive decisions and moments spawned from the natural conversation that would occur in between the scripted questions to each celebrity guest - causing genuine 'water-cooler' moments. It's a bit early to tell, but James Corden seems to have brought over to the show bits and pieces of 'TFI Friday'' as well as 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks', 'Shooting Stars' and 'The Graham Norton Show'. I utterly agree with everything you have said in the video. Craig Ferguson will be missed.
this was the only late night show that i would stay up for and watch. he did so many things right from the interviews that were just conversations to his monologues that were funny, serious and often times both. i still miss this show so much but im glad he did it for as long as he did.
Craig was the Renaissance man of Late Night TV. This was the man who won a Peabody for his interview with Bishop Tutu. He did a full hour interview with Stephen Fry. After meeting Claire Danes, he had her father-in-law on his show because he was moral philosopher. He had Mila Jovovich on his show and discussed Russian and Spanish literature with her. He spoke up for Brittany Spears when she was in her worse state. He had Rza of the Wu Tang Clan take his mother out for the day, creating a relationship that lasted to her death a few years later. He knows what toile is! If I had it my way I would have given Craig Charlie Rose's show - he could do so much more than Sirius FM.
This video deserves to be like 25 minutes long. Craig was a brilliant genius of a man, and completely changed the game of late (late!) night TV. He deserves more recognition, but in typical Craig Ferguson fashion, he's perfectly fine with the lowkey send-off he got.
I have casually watched you for the last few months...and I just found this. SUBSCRIBED. Sid the Bunny was what captured me, and I stayed til the end. Sighhhhh
I think early year's of late night show with Conan O'Brien was some of the best ever produced. The thing I most like about Craig is his ability to connect with celebrities in a deep personal way. Craig's history with alcoholism, his stint as an actor and being a successful author gives him a broader knowledge of life. You can tell he don't take rules or set format seriously and that's what makes him good.
I know it's based in the U.K., but have you seen Graham Norton's show? It's my favorite talk show. He has the best and funniest conversations with his guests. I also love how often he and his guests do spontaneous things with the audience. Plus, the audience sharing their stories on the red chair is a great element. My favorite show!
I was enjoying your content, but this video is what earned you my subscribe. Thank you for saying so well what I have tried to tell all my friends for years
These are so brilliant it makes me sick. Your videos are as enlightening as a philosophy class in college. I keep coming back for more and you keep spilling out a truth I've never thought of. It kills me how good you are. Really, congrats on your channel
This is so well-made. Kudos to you. I liked how you precisely point out what’s different with Craig Ferguson. It’s the embracing of absurdity. And absurdity is the highest form of comedy in my opinion.
Excellent vid! Always nice to see someone who "gets" Craig. :) I absolutely loathe the "forced laughter" aspect of late night telly, but one thing I notice(d) while watching Craig's show is there always seemed to be bursts of genuine laughter, while the other shows are more *jokey joke > polite applause with smattering of giggles*. Having been to several tapings of Craig's show, I never felt forced to laugh, and I didn't get that vibe from anyone else, either. Perhaps I was just "in the moment," but it all just seemed very organic to me. (Forced cheering and hooting on host/guest intros well beyond reasonable levels of comfort, yes. Forced laughter, no.)
Nobody on late night comes anywhere close to Craigyferg. Don't forget his very honest talks about addiction and recovery, death, and his monologue about Britney Spears and his decision to stop mocking self-destructive behavior. Also, Josh Robert Thompson as Geoff (and every other off-screen voice) was amazing.
Gotta agree. Colbert is by far my favorite among the current night show hosts, he seems much more genuine, even though he isn't exactly a rebel. Now I'm getting to know Craig, obviously am amazed, and can see that spontaneity link between them.
+Shred Ric I couldn't possibly compare Colbert with Ferguson. To me, it seems as though the minute the Report ended, so did his comedy. It's just become a platform for unironic unoriginal politics with not so insightful interactions with celebrities.
I agree with you except that I think Colbert has improved his comedy quite a bit in the last few months. I did not like Colberts' new show at all for at least the first few months. Like you said, the jokes were boring, his personality seemed generic, I'd add overdone, and even overacted. There was a lack of irony :P Lately though, he seems to be finding his groove. I'd even dare to say that he's ballsy for prime time TV. Ferguson is irreplaceable in my mind because that man had a unique way of making people laugh. The closest comparison I can make would have to be a metaphor where Craig is an adult and I'm a 5 year old. He knows exactly what I think is funny, and when he starts seeing me laugh, he smirks and takes it further until I pee my pants. Then he gets excited and also ends up with wet pants. Did he wet his pants out of laughter or solidarity? We might never know. Craig Ferguson is capable of making a grown adult feel like a child again. That is priceless to me. I'm going to forever miss him and Geoff.
+Drumjod Colbert does seem to be improving recently, as in he's actually made me laugh a couple times. Hopefully he continues that even if he does keep pushing his actual political agenda. I don't agree with him, but if he focuses on the comedy, I won't really care.
Craig Ferguson was unique, one of a kind and there’ll never be another like him that liked to have fun his way and although I was late to the party I’m glad I found him on TH-cam! 🥹😢
He was criminally underrated about his male guests too. Obviously with female guests, there was a LOT of flirtation which made them look like they are connecting and having a good time better but even with male guests, he was just brilliant. Another thing to note is, he was NEVER overshadowed by any of his guest, male or female, big or small, it didn't matter. Even the late great Robbin Williams didn't overshadow him. But almost every other late night host (yes, including Letterman) was overshadowed by big stars. The only other host that comes close to Ferguson is Graham Norton. I would say this in closing, if there's a ladder to go from ground to the roof top and ladder has 10 steps (consider each steps as a level), Jimmy Fallon has not even stepped onto the ladder yet and Craig Ferguson is sitting on the roof top even above level 10.
I'm so happy. So happy. The "I was sent here by a man" stint was best when it used a good joke, but not the ending joke, and here I am, the one video I've seen in months that doesn't have a "I was sent here by a man who (whatever the joke at the end was because I'm lazy)" comment.
Last year, during some very tough times, I would watch the "Craig Ferguson Laughing Fit" series of TH-cam videos and laugh till my sides hurt, till I was crying--and it was therapeutic. I love how he cracks himself up; I love it how he laughs at absurdity or at himself when he realizes he's been a bit of a jerk. A lot of his laughing is genuine laughter at his own self. He's self-aware, intelligent, a bit vulnerable, empathetic--and it makes him so damn funny. (I love when he tells the joke about the cat; Secretariat--and when he wipes out; the long bit about Geoff having a summer home in different places; his fireside chat with a very pregnant Kristen Bell and her peanut butter; etc. ...And that episode with Desmond Tutu that changed everything for him.)
No one latenight, has ever or will ever touch his wit, his charisma, his honesty, his humour, his intelligence, or those gorgeous eyes! He has everything a modern man needs, but few will ever have, sadly.
I love how Craig had one of the lowest budget talk shows on TV, yet it was the most real and the most humorous. What a legend. Awkward pause of remembrance for this show.
Just discovered this channel and I've already found several videos on things I already love. But I'm always glad to hear that people understood and appreciated Craig.
This is so bizarre. I literally spent some time thinking about this very thing about two days ago. I also literally just found this channel about 3 minutes ago, so i was pleasantly surprised to find this video. I totally agree, man. He was the only talk show host who ever recognized the absurdity of the medium and completely subverted the conventions of the late night talk show. Never taking himself or the guests or the medium too seriously. Great video!
I certainly don't think that Jimmy Fallon is wholly untalented or anything, but sweet henry is he a god awful interviewer. Granted, he's not as bad as Leno was (literally the worst I've ever seen) but probably the worst among all the current late night guys.
Fallon is fake as fuck, just like all the others. Letterman had at least had SOME sense of a no fucks given personality but Craig is the realest and Americans can't handle real. They like the fake laughs and the fake personalities and the fake fantasies they have of real life.
I think Carson was the best of the traditional format, But Craig was my favorite and imo the best. Conan I think is the best right now comedy and interview wise. Also, he doesn't do 1000 jokes about Trump every night like all the others. Letterman was good too and I think Colbert could be much better if he didn't fucking go along with the PC mainstream political horseshit all the goddamned time. That's all he does anymore. It's sad because I actually like him, I think he is very talented and intelligent and could put on a great show but he just will NOT shut the fuck up about Trump. Same hack jokes that, like Hitchens said "all the stupid people laugh at." Oh well. At least we have reruns of Craig.
I'm so glad that Craig Ferguson is getting the credit he deserves. He was so charismatic and fun to watch. Such a change from the other shows out there.
Craig Ferguson: The most under-appreciated overlooked genius of a late night host that ever was.
Amen to that.
/
True about Craig F
I don't think he was under-appreciated or overlooked ... he had (has - podcast now) his audience, and it's a pretty loyal audience ...
I thought he was considered one of the best if not The BEST
Geoff is criminally underrepresented here
I think Craig was mad that they didn't ask Geoff to guest host.
badmoves
in my dreams he surely was
Geoff probably isn't represented because although craig loves josh, he sites the introduction of Geoff as a character on his show as 'part of my failure to fully deconstruct the late night talk show medium'. the author of the vid probably also knows this.
ajegray1 But they even managed to make Geoff unconventional.
true that! so even when craig 'loses', he still wins :)
Ricky Gervais "This isn't a talk show." ~ Craig "That's right! You're the only one who's gotten it!"
How could you not put this gem in? Miss the show already, get on with doing 'it' Craig!
to be fair, there was a super memorable moment at least once a week.
Ricky also straight up said this is the best show I have ever been on. Pretty high complement!
I feel like this video should have been 10 minutes longer. There is so much more to talk about with Craig and what he did. Half of it wasn't even him trying to do it, either. It just happened naturally from his bullshit-less, idgaf ways. I feel like more people should be aware of Craig, specifically his eulogies and those older monologues that showed us how special this scottish bastard was, and is.
Thanks though Nerdwriter, for touching on the greatest under-appreciated "late night douche" we've known. And his gay robot skeleton and 'not-a-real' horse.
*ding dong* WHO'S THAT AT THE DOOR??
Craig Ferguson HD - Love all your vids - keep em comin'
jmwild1 *initiate dance*
my thinking exactly .. it was too short of a video ..
i keep praying that kaptainkristian will make a video dedicated to craig. craig deserves the effort and the consideration kaptain's videos provide and he is so well worded that i'm just honestly curious to see what he'd say about the show
I was so disappointed with the send-off Craig received (or lack thereof, rather). Other hosts got full-month extravagant countdowns with fluff pieces on every major news station. Poor Craig, brilliant as he was, ended his career with so little fanfare in comparison. It was sad to see.
+MokaBees I don't know if his viewership (ratings) was as extensive as Letterman's. That's why he probably did have multiple countdown/send-off episodes. Most of the follow-up guys tend to have worse ratings than the late night shows before them (Seth Myers, Corden, Kimmel, etc). It's still a damn shame but that's my theory as to why it happened.
+MokaBees His career is far from over. If he really is the genius we all see him to be. He'll be back in another form.
+Adrian Durlej He has a new show on History called Join or Die which just started last Thursday!
+MokaBees,he probably wouldn't want it any otherway.
+stoobbs +Adrian Durlej He also was (and still is) hosting Celebrity Name Game, which pairs a contestant with a celebrity. I still have to ease into that, but he's doing a fine job with that as well. I do look forward more to Join or Die, though, because it'll probably be just as unorderly as the Late Late Show was.
Craig was so great mainly because the job of a late night comedy talk show host was so beneath his abilities it was ridiculous. This is a man who lived, almost got chewed up by life but came out the other size. Very intelligent guy who was visibly giddy to conduct a serious interview with Stephen Fry that time and park the cheap laughs for once. Amazing to think this off the cuff comedy wit was only a part of his repertoire.
Jimmy Fallon is just a 40 year old teenager who is dumbing down the format to suit teenagers.
+rivolinho couldn't have said it better myself, sir! Fallon seems like a corporate stooge compared to Craig! Ferguson is the only late night host that made everything he did seem improvised, instead of created by a team of comedy writers. I loved the fact that his interviews especially were spontaneous and that he ripped up those stupid cue cards EVERY time! lol
its worse than dumbing down for teenagers. its trying to engage teenagers. spur them. get them to want to watch.
and that is far worse.
Conan's the only late night show left with any sense of being aware of the absurdity and irony of late night. Craig was the absolute best, but now that he's gone only Conan has some intellectual honesty to go with his humour.
Then you have to consider Stephen Colbert is up there with Conan too, based of those credentials. I grew up a humongous Conan fan and he was really the only talk show host I truly loved...until I found Craig on TH-cam. His show wasn't on here in Sweden, but boy...I sure wish it was. :/
+JimmyKingster Colbert just doesn't do it for me anymore. I enjoyed his content for a while, but I honestly think I liked him more when he was playing a character.
Maybe but Conan isn't funny.
I found conan show on TH-cam and it was so fun to watch. But one-day a video of craig come into recommended videos and man.. since then I’m watching everything about craig on internet .
Colbert lost me when he took over Lettermans show. He was suddenly a boring democratic shill like the rest of them. John Stewart is the only guy that came close to Ferguson I think. John Stewart mastered those awkward pauses and deliberately sabotaged many of his own bits for the sake of comedy.
I hope Craig eventually sees this and realizes how much we've appreciated him.
me too
Aww Evan! This was great. Just a beautiful tribute to Mr. Craigy Ferg. What a legend.
Thanks. He certainly is.
+Nerdwriter1 saw this, immediately know you're great and subbed.
While Colbert is indeed great, he is not comparable to Craig on any level.
that is so true i don't know how to... *face* nevermind, so how is your movie?
Definitely not his late night, that is
One of the thing I liked about Graig is how smooth he was with the hot actresses that would appear on his show.
Especially Kristen Bell
Kate Mara interview. -Almost- better than porn.
+MrBfg586 Indeed! Letterman was pretty good at doing interview too but what's awesome about Craig is that he seemed to improvise 100% of his interviews instead of looking at that stupid note card that these people use. Jimmy Fallon creates ZERO sexual tension with his female guests; it's like he's their brother in those interviews!
+Fawad B Well Fallon isn't that young but his whole persona is sort of 20 something frat boy. It would be even worse if he tried to hit on his female guests. Craig was knocking on 50, was Scottish, was borderline crazy but he had that glint in his eye, rogueish smile and of course the Connery impression, so it was ok for him!
+rivolinho I know, Jimmy Fallon is 40 but his "persona" is way too nice on the Tonight Show. He's like a weird combo of that mean girl who's faking being nice to everyone and the frat boy thing that you mentioned. Honestly, his interview are just awkward most of the time even if it's a male guest. It's really obvious that he's just pretending to be interested (with his horrible fake laugh) and he pretty much gets the guest to plug their movie/play/book/album and then quickly moves on to some silly shit like Pictionary. It's kind of interesting sometimes but at some point its like: dude if you just want to play pictionary or password with these people invite them to your damn house! lol...I know that all hosts have to pretend to be interested but Jimmy had a lot more wit (in his monologue and in interviews) and seemed to be more natural on his Late Night show. Other hosts know how to do interviews better & you don't get the impression that their faking the whole thing. The only good thing on the Tonight Show are the occasional viral videos!
One of the things that I think that Craig did best was that he was able to put all of his guests almost instantly at ease, he took the generally accepted interview formula of other talk shows and just turned it into a conversation between two people. Very few talk show hosts could do this as well as Craig did.
craig handled female celebs better than any latenight host ive ever seen
I think it's the accent.
They handled him pretty darn well too.
+jmwild1 that's definetely something he would say
Did he though? I liked Ferguson a lot, I think what he tried to do was innovative and he was ultimately a comedian with integrity who owned the format of the show, rather than being consumed by it. However, his interviewing style for women was friendly, spontaneous and very flirty. This depended heavily on his charm and the indulgence of his guests and I think it's fair to question whether he took too many liberties with that approach. Evidence for this can be seen in his numerous uncomfortable interviews with women where he comes across like an unsuccessful, if charismatic, pickup artist.
@@williamsmith9579 Too many liberties to aproach like what, making a joke here and there? This is "taking too many liberties to approach" to you? And let's be honest anyone that accepted to do a talk show with him already knew what would happen on the show also everything was playful acting between Craig Ferguson and the guest. I would take this format anyday than fake laughing from the host, stupid questions without no essence behind and male hosts that consider women dieties and not normal human beings.
that is a nice love-letter, I love Craig Ferguson.
Thanks! Me too.
great video!! I come back every once in a while to watch this. Do you still know the title of the track you used in the beginning and around 3:44?
+Nerdwriter1
Dude, do one on Geoff Peterson the Gay Robot Skeleton. He's like the cheese on Craig's pizza.
God bless Craig Ferguson. May he live a thousand years.
Craig was and will be for a very long time my favorite talk show host, he felt genuine and real unlike other hosts that feel fake
One should take into consideration how well read Craig actually was, as well. Those interviews with Stephen Fry were exceptional!
It's surprising, considering how he came from a poor family and spent much of his adult life on drugs.
+sweiland75
Most of the times, the fucked up ones are the best ones coz they been through shit and they rise up like Icarus.
@@khairowensullivan7489 careful Icarus
@@MickHaggs I just burst into a laugh every time I see or hear that line anywhere.
I believe Icarus was an inside test and we all passed it
I thought I was the only one who saw how genius he is. Thanks
me too
+Jessica
Careful Icarus
I have been watching late night TV since the days of Steve Allen. Ferguson is the best, he is the hardest working man on TV. great video, made me a subscriber.
5 minutes of tears of joy in rememberance and celebration...
Then 23 seconds of tears of laughter from re-living those incredible eps with Larry King filling in for Geoff!
WOW almost 2 years since this video and the late night scene is so terribad i miss CraigyFerg so much...
I miss this show every day. The Late Night has gone to shit in the past 3 years.
i remember being old enough to start watching late night shows, and craig ferguson was my absolute favorite, with conan in second place
i was lucky enough to go to a taping for two episodes, and i will never forget him telling the audience not to do a few things, including gasping loudly
so the show starts and he says something during the monologue and i accidentally gasped loudly, to which craig yelled out a 'what did i say!'
being yelled at by him is a memory i will treasure forever
I love Craig more than you can imagine , everyday I miss him like crazy
Love love love Craig Ferguson
Great video ! I'm in love with Craig Ferguson, too.
Nerdwriter1 You Daffy Dook
Careful Icarus...
I discovered this show about a few weeks after it's end. (/cry) I looked up every freaking youtube clip I could find and binge watched them all. This man is amazing.
I wonder where Eric Andre might fit on the Ferguson to Fallon late-show scale...
While Craig Ferguson played with late night tropes for authenticity, The Eric Andre Show seems approach the formula with an absurd contempt. Ferguson seems to want "real moments" in a fabricated press junket industry, while Andre demonstrates it's all a meaningless farce. Both shows are great!
You know, I spent a lot of time thinking about Adult Swim and the place it occupies in late night comedy. I mean, that is /true/ absurdity and I love it all. But it's not Late Night, traditionally conceived, just like The Daily Show, Colbert, Comedy Bang Bang and others aren't. I'm talking about network TV, the big three, the house that Carson built. Being subversive from within that juggernaut is what makes Craig so special.
Also to note, I don't consider The Eric Andre Show spontaneous or improvised. It's probably largely preplanned tapings where they come up with "wouldn't it be crazy if we did this" gags. Ferguson is to layered and unconventional to be loved by mainstream demographics like Jimmy and Letterman
Will Smith I don't think it claims to be spontaneous or improvised. They plan out what they want to do. It's just that the celebrity isn't in on it. If you check out some of the clips from the show on TH-cam you'll see that many celebrities have a genuine look of terror on their face. Many have even walked out in the middle of the show.
He was definitely the most charismatic late night host of his generation; i never watched his show religiously but I loved the unique way in which he did interviews and that everything seemed spontaneous & improvised!
1. Letterman was really witty but ultimately was the old cranky guy in my opinion,
2. Conan has the awkward nerd shtick (that was awesome but nothing like Craig),
3. Leno was just a creepy fat guy (who's appeal is beyond me),
4. Fallon is like an teenager who always seems to be trying too hard to be funny imo.
5. I don't get why anyone likes Seth Myers and James Corden to be honest lol (both un-charismatic as fuck)...with the exception of a few viral videos.
+Fawad B agree
+Fawad B While I agree with you for the most part, I have to defend Seth Meyers. I concede that Seth isn't the funniest host, but he does bring something else: commentary. Instead of reciting a successive list of punchlines as they relate to any of the news-making stories of the time (which I still enjoy with Conan), Seth actually takes a different approach by choosing to present and dissect it himself while also talking a definitive stance on the subject. Something a host like Jimmy Fallon desperately avoids. Also, Seth has also previously stated that he takes inspiration from Ferguson to a degree, as he chooses to conduct interviews without the use of any cue-cards but rather by wherever the conversation leads him. I'm by no means saying he's the best around, but I also don't think he should be as easily dismissed and that he does carry substance. Just sayin'.=)
pacmanfantastic He just doesn't seem to have the energy of a Conan or Fallon or the wit/presence of a Letterman in my opinion. I'll admit that I've never watched a full episode of his show though & have only seen snippets of a few youtube videos. I'll check him out. Have you seen Colbert? He does his show in a somewhat unique way, not only in terms of format but also in terms of how he does interviews. He's not the wittiest host but his interviews don't seem as fluffy as most late night hosts. His monologues and jokes also seem a lot more politically opinionated.
Fawad B I'll give you that he doesn't have the presence of other hosts. But I do find some of his segments like "A Closer Look" to be interesting. And yes, I have seen Colbert, and I agree, he does have more depth to his interviews as well more direction and purpose to his questions. I would like to see the format of late night television in general continue to head toward and build on this sort of trend.
pacmanfantastic I hope so but I think that most of them are gonna go in the Fallon-esque direction (though not as silly). Conan was the one who got the ball rolling in the direction of unopinionated, silly comedy. Kimmel and Fallon took that to new heights & it's gonna be hard to continue in the Colbert/Myers direction cuz they have to compete with the viral content that Kimmel, Fallon (and sometimes Corden) are generating. I really hope that it doesn't go that way but it seems to be the case. I'm happy to say that Colbert is #2 in ratings though, behind Fallon.
He was great. I really appreciated his speech about his refusal to bash Brittany during her dark days.
I really miss Craigyferg...
I adored Craig. The bits of craziness mixed with his sincerity are a mix that you rarely see. I grew up (and remain) a Letterman guy. I just enjoyed his ability to not hide his contempt for stupidity and his exploits in absurdity. Letterman, however, has always remained a talk show, where Craig almost rejected the format.
Great video. I am a huge fan of late night TV, and especially talk shows. For whatever reason I am drawn to the format. It is outdated and not really needed anymore, but I still enjoy the occasional great moments that seep into our culture.
Craig Ferguson was the best and the only talk show I watched. Great video and tribute!
The irony of all this is that the guest hosts who took over after Craig's departure turned the show into just a regular late night talk show. I hope James Corden can do something with the format, but it looks like Craig's show will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I agree. I miss him dearly.
Agree with you 100% Craig Ferguson was a breath of fresh air he really turned things around with his late night show the way he never did your standard interview with celebrities i liked the way he made them seem like conversations or two people talking in a pub or a bar or something, the whole thing with Geoff,secretariat was just genius watching drew carey, and the replacement hosts just makes you realize how brilliant Craig was and just deepens the void that is left....
osaro runner ...annnd, the celebrity guests were appreciative of his difference. they LOVED coming on his show and not having the added pressure to talk about cliche showbiz shit in the cliche way. craig had fans all around.
Have you seen Adam Pally guest hosting, I thought he did an incredible job of the 'dontgiveafuck' de constructing style employed by Craigyferg. Wish he was on more tbh. Like you I really hope that James Corden does well, but as a guy from the UK im very nervous for him.
Bruh you're going to make me cry this is a great tribute to Craig!!! Super fun selection of bits and clips!!
Not one shot I saw of Kristen Bell, his greatest partner-in-crime. I'll have to rewatch the video a couple more times to see if you squeezed her in there, but the two of them were a match made in heaven.
The only talk show I've ever watched. I still do, he's the best.
There is going to be a hole in Late Night, for sure. I loved Craig so much. If you haven't read his book, American on Purpose, I highly suggest the audio book. He does the voice over and brings so much emotion and life into it.
Okay, so I'm going through your archives (only discovered you with your great video on Children of Men). Thanks to this video, you are now one of my favourite TH-camrs. Craig Ferguson was the ONLY talk show I watched.
I love his story about Geoff Peterson. How he created the robot/character as a complete mockery of the sidekick persona in late night. Except, when Josh Robert Thompson really took off with the character and made it his own (arguably equal to and sometimes BETTER than Ferguson, even making poor Craig crack up sometimes), he became that great sidekick host that Craig planned on mocking.
Craig is the best. I watched him every day for the past 3 years, and no other host would keep me for that long, and that's not only for the exactly my sense of humor but for the interview - he gave us the true conversations, neglecting the promotion of films for the things that just popped in his mind, giving us the opportunity to see how celebrities react/talk/conversing in real life. There was never anything fake about him. And I like Fallon too but It's so obvious he's determined to entertain in the television-censors approved-entertainment way and Craig is simply not giving a single fuCRANKY. If he want's to talk about something, he'll stop you and talk about that, and ask what do you think. And It's real. It's not humor that've been tested to see If people will laugh.
for me Craig Ferguson's Late Late night show is the best thing that ever happened on TV, even though I only watched it on youtube after it already ended
Craig Ferguson was always my favorite late night host. I watch the clips on TH-cam since I don't have tv. I think that in a way his stuff was always more sincere than the rest. For me it comes from his fan boy moments, and his willingness to make things uncomfortable(ly funny) without being mean to anyone (except maybe the Scots). He's just not afraid to go with what he's feeling, censors be damned. I'm so sad his show is over.
I had an alarm on my phone for when this show came on and the alarm was the theme song. That way even if I fell asleep I wouldn't miss it. I miss this show.
This is phenomenal. Thank you for capturing the greatness of this remarkable genius. I'm watching this at the very same moment I would be watching his show. He truly makes a great day for America!
I caught the show on its last couple of seasons and was so thankful I did. I told my sis that if we made it to LA we'd go and see his show. Then he retired. But at least TH-cam has plenty of clips. We'll never have a host like him again.
Great tribute to Craig ♥️ thank you ✨
I come back to this video a lot, mainly to show my friends what my favorite TV show of all time is lolol. But one thing I’ve also realized about this video too, is that it’s SOO difficult to explain to outsiders why this show was brilliant. Like, MY GOD it was random. I still miss it so much every day.
Fallon is the ultimate "Yes Man". He's the guy who gets up at the high school talent show, and everyone fawns over and says "LOOK!! Jimmy's dancing!! Jimmy's dancing!!". Fallon is actually setting late night BACK.
I was young when I remember seeing Craig on late night but he was still always my favorite. Seemed like he was making the show he wanted more so than the show execs wanted, more genuine
Initially, I wanted something which represented some kind of deconstructionist contempt for the late-night genre and the idea of a sidekick, but [Josh Thompson] became so good at it, he just became a sidekick.
- Craig Ferguson, April 2012[6]
From the wikipedia article on Geoff
+Eleventy Won
You're a racist man
I added this to my favorites before it even finished buffering. You hit the nail on the head.
Real life is not structured Q&A with convenient segues. It's a spectrum ranging from wild banter to awkward pauses to meaningful pauses preceding the asking of meaningful questions and giving meaningful answers. He brought a sincerity to late night that hadn't existed before and still doesn't (at least not to that degree).
Well done.
Was a fan of the show for years.
To this day he is my favorite late night talk show host.
All of these reasons are why I love Craig so much. His show was so different and spontaneously hilarious without trying too hard. His banter with Geoff was the best part of the show!
proper amount of suction... man I miss Craigy Ferg.
Careful Icarus
Thank you for the wonderful tribute. What Craig brought to everyone was unmatched, genius and unique.
Craig Ferguson is, was, and always will be the best of late night.
You are truly enthusiastic genius. You always look and study seriously-deeply-practically-totally into subjects which you will discuss. You address things that very few ones do or care. You explained, analyzed, indicated the reasons why I like something which I can't address. I admire you and your essay videos. I think your channel will become something big in TH-cam. Good luck and I am awaiting your next videos.
Since Craig left, I will never watch any other late night show again. not because i don't want to, but simply because no other host could have ever make me laugh like CraigyFerg.
Word. Still.
Well thanks to TH-cam and JayLeno Fly channel, I always rewatch it.
@@khairowensullivan7489 Second That
Craig was the only late night talk show I ever watched - purposely. I'd crawl into bed every night at 12:35 and watch him every night. Would never have done that for any of the others. I miss his show.
Craig combined the best humor of two cultures and transcended them.
Re; U.S. racial issues. Dan Brown just posted his thoughts.
Oh really!? I'll have to check it out.
Craig Ferguson is hands down my favorite Late Night talk show host ever. His chemistry with Geoff the robot is impeccable
This is actually pretty normal for comedy in the UK. You can look up this stuff on TH-cam. It has been around for a long time. We have Monty Python, of course, but also a long running radio gameshow called I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue which, amongst other quirks, features a beautiful, glamorous scorekeeper called Samantha who never speaks (and of course is not even there). Have a watch of Simon Amstel on Never Mind The Buzzcocks or Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer on Shooting Stars. It's part of British humour to be cynical, irreverent and to mess around with the accepted formula. Craig Fergusson just did it over there.
Thanks for the suggestions, Ben. I'm well aware of the tone that predominates in the UK, of what's allowed and how far they're willing to go. I've been a fan for a long time of many of those shows. This story, however, is as much about American culture as it is about American late night talk shows. The worlds are different. They grow out of different traditions, different histories, rivalries, jealousies, prides, fears, illusions, fantasies. It took perhaps a (UK) foreigner to shake that up, but as his American citizenship was something he made a point of highlighting, he took hold of the American consciousness (in however small and intense a way) and did something here, to us, that was new.
Yeah. I think what Craig Mainly did was bring British sensibilities to American TV. But that's a feat in and off itself. :)
Craig's show was unrehearsed and everything he said and every interview or let's better say conversation was spontaneous. Is there really a host in the UK who rips off the preinterviews or makes fun of his network? What Craig did is even today unimaginable to the late night tv shows, because the hosts are boring and afraid . It doesn't matter where he's from. James Corden is British and will be the host, but I'm more than sure that he will stick to the old formula of preinterviews and boring monologues and actual interviews just like every other late night show so I don't think it has to do with the British ''way of doing things''...
benfleming1000 I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue is amazing! Probably my favorite piece is the "Murder by Moonlight" role play. Just listen to it here vocaroo.com/i/s1TtuH7WYDSC.
And I agree, British talk shows are so much more out of the box, the standard structure, etc. Compared to it, all US shows look too "distilled".
Nerdwriter1 I would also add to that list the talk/music show 'TFI Friday'; utterly anarchic, surreal, fun, entertaining and self-aware - creating an environment where it felt as though you (the audience) had somehow sneaked into a house party in full swing where the celebrities of youth culture would hang out. It made other talk shows with music guests seem boring, formulaic and predictable. Chris Evans, its presenter, would constantly risk the entire flow of each episode with impromptu and impulsive decisions and moments spawned from the natural conversation that would occur in between the scripted questions to each celebrity guest - causing genuine 'water-cooler' moments. It's a bit early to tell, but James Corden seems to have brought over to the show bits and pieces of 'TFI Friday'' as well as 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks', 'Shooting Stars' and 'The Graham Norton Show'. I utterly agree with everything you have said in the video. Craig Ferguson will be missed.
this was the only late night show that i would stay up for and watch. he did so many things right from the interviews that were just conversations to his monologues that were funny, serious and often times both. i still miss this show so much but im glad he did it for as long as he did.
Craig was the Renaissance man of Late Night TV. This was the man who won a Peabody for his interview with Bishop Tutu. He did a full hour interview with Stephen Fry. After meeting Claire Danes, he had her father-in-law on his show because he was moral philosopher. He had Mila Jovovich on his show and discussed Russian and Spanish literature with her. He spoke up for Brittany Spears when she was in her worse state. He had Rza of the Wu Tang Clan take his mother out for the day, creating a relationship that lasted to her death a few years later. He knows what toile is! If I had it my way I would have given Craig Charlie Rose's show - he could do so much more than Sirius FM.
This video deserves to be like 25 minutes long. Craig was a brilliant genius of a man, and completely changed the game of late (late!) night TV. He deserves more recognition, but in typical Craig Ferguson fashion, he's perfectly fine with the lowkey send-off he got.
Craig Ferguson,the GOAT of late night hosts.
I have casually watched you for the last few months...and I just found this. SUBSCRIBED. Sid the Bunny was what captured me, and I stayed til the end. Sighhhhh
I think early year's of late night show with Conan O'Brien was some of the best ever produced.
The thing I most like about Craig is his ability to connect with celebrities in a deep personal way. Craig's history with alcoholism, his stint as an actor and being a successful author gives him a broader knowledge of life. You can tell he don't take rules or set format seriously and that's what makes him good.
I know it's based in the U.K., but have you seen Graham Norton's show? It's my favorite talk show. He has the best and funniest conversations with his guests. I also love how often he and his guests do spontaneous things with the audience. Plus, the audience sharing their stories on the red chair is a great element. My favorite show!
I was enjoying your content, but this video is what earned you my subscribe. Thank you for saying so well what I have tried to tell all my friends for years
My favorite talk show and always will be!
These are so brilliant it makes me sick. Your videos are as enlightening as a philosophy class in college. I keep coming back for more and you keep spilling out a truth I've never thought of. It kills me how good you are. Really, congrats on your channel
This is so well-made. Kudos to you.
I liked how you precisely point out what’s different with Craig Ferguson. It’s the embracing of absurdity. And absurdity is the highest form of comedy in my opinion.
The only late night show I ever set my DVR to record. Craig Ferguson is an absolute legend!
the ending was perfect!!! Watched it twice.Thank you.
I miss his show more than I thought I would 😢
I miss it a lot too
Craig was the BEST!!! I wish he would return to television. I miss him so much.
Excellent vid! Always nice to see someone who "gets" Craig. :)
I absolutely loathe the "forced laughter" aspect of late night telly, but one thing I notice(d) while watching Craig's show is there always seemed to be bursts of genuine laughter, while the other shows are more *jokey joke > polite applause with smattering of giggles*. Having been to several tapings of Craig's show, I never felt forced to laugh, and I didn't get that vibe from anyone else, either. Perhaps I was just "in the moment," but it all just seemed very organic to me. (Forced cheering and hooting on host/guest intros well beyond reasonable levels of comfort, yes. Forced laughter, no.)
Nobody on late night comes anywhere close to Craigyferg. Don't forget his very honest talks about addiction and recovery, death, and his monologue about Britney Spears and his decision to stop mocking self-destructive behavior. Also, Josh Robert Thompson as Geoff (and every other off-screen voice) was amazing.
Craig Ferguson was the best show on TV for me
I knew there was a reason I loved this man!! Thanks for shedding the light!!
you can see elements of what Colbert took from Ferguson with The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
to a certain extent, yes, I agree.
Gotta agree. Colbert is by far my favorite among the current night show hosts, he seems much more genuine, even though he isn't exactly a rebel. Now I'm getting to know Craig, obviously am amazed, and can see that spontaneity link between them.
+Shred Ric I couldn't possibly compare Colbert with Ferguson. To me, it seems as though the minute the Report ended, so did his comedy. It's just become a platform for unironic unoriginal politics with not so insightful interactions with celebrities.
I agree with you except that I think Colbert has improved his comedy quite a bit in the last few months.
I did not like Colberts' new show at all for at least the first few months. Like you said, the jokes were boring, his personality seemed generic, I'd add overdone, and even overacted. There was a lack of irony :P Lately though, he seems to be finding his groove. I'd even dare to say that he's ballsy for prime time TV.
Ferguson is irreplaceable in my mind because that man had a unique way of making people laugh. The closest comparison I can make would have to be a metaphor where Craig is an adult and I'm a 5 year old. He knows exactly what I think is funny, and when he starts seeing me laugh, he smirks and takes it further until I pee my pants. Then he gets excited and also ends up with wet pants. Did he wet his pants out of laughter or solidarity? We might never know. Craig Ferguson is capable of making a grown adult feel like a child again. That is priceless to me.
I'm going to forever miss him and Geoff.
+Drumjod Colbert does seem to be improving recently, as in he's actually made me laugh a couple times. Hopefully he continues that even if he does keep pushing his actual political agenda. I don't agree with him, but if he focuses on the comedy, I won't really care.
Craig Ferguson was unique, one of a kind and there’ll never be another like him that liked to have fun his way and although I was late to the party I’m glad I found him on TH-cam! 🥹😢
A true genius. I do miss Craig Ferguson. His show had a kind of authenticity rarely seen on network television. He was also genuinely funny.
More and more people are finding Craig's show. Don't worry, genius works of art will be appreciated.
To the OG hobos, Ass Mode!
You introduced me to Craig Ferguson and for that I'm very thankful. I watched almost everything there is to watch on TH-cam
He was criminally underrated about his male guests too. Obviously with female guests, there was a LOT of flirtation which made them look like they are connecting and having a good time better but even with male guests, he was just brilliant. Another thing to note is, he was NEVER overshadowed by any of his guest, male or female, big or small, it didn't matter. Even the late great Robbin Williams didn't overshadow him. But almost every other late night host (yes, including Letterman) was overshadowed by big stars. The only other host that comes close to Ferguson is Graham Norton. I would say this in closing, if there's a ladder to go from ground to the roof top and ladder has 10 steps (consider each steps as a level), Jimmy Fallon has not even stepped onto the ladder yet and Craig Ferguson is sitting on the roof top even above level 10.
Seen very few episodes live. Still my favourite I watch so much of it on TH-cam.
I'm so happy.
So happy.
The "I was sent here by a man" stint was best when it used a good joke, but not the ending joke, and here I am, the one video I've seen in months that doesn't have a "I was sent here by a man who (whatever the joke at the end was because I'm lazy)" comment.
Man! I SO miss this show!!! Best late night EVER!
Its 01:30am and I'm watching this but I can always sleep through work tomorrow.
Last year, during some very tough times, I would watch the "Craig Ferguson Laughing Fit" series of TH-cam videos and laugh till my sides hurt, till I was crying--and it was therapeutic. I love how he cracks himself up; I love it how he laughs at absurdity or at himself when he realizes he's been a bit of a jerk. A lot of his laughing is genuine laughter at his own self. He's self-aware, intelligent, a bit vulnerable, empathetic--and it makes him so damn funny.
(I love when he tells the joke about the cat; Secretariat--and when he wipes out; the long bit about Geoff having a summer home in different places; his fireside chat with a very pregnant Kristen Bell and her peanut butter; etc. ...And that episode with Desmond Tutu that changed everything for him.)
I was taken here by a man who has the skills to pay the bills, editing skills
No one latenight, has ever or will ever touch his wit, his charisma, his honesty, his humour, his intelligence, or those gorgeous eyes! He has everything a modern man needs, but few will ever have, sadly.
I love how Craig had one of the lowest budget talk shows on TV, yet it was the most real and the most humorous. What a legend. Awkward pause of remembrance for this show.
Just discovered this channel and I've already found several videos on things I already love. But I'm always glad to hear that people understood and appreciated Craig.
Still a dedicated fan. Miss the show.
This is so bizarre. I literally spent some time thinking about this very thing about two days ago. I also literally just found this channel about 3 minutes ago, so i was pleasantly surprised to find this video. I totally agree, man. He was the only talk show host who ever recognized the absurdity of the medium and completely subverted the conventions of the late night talk show. Never taking himself or the guests or the medium too seriously. Great video!
I certainly don't think that Jimmy Fallon is wholly untalented or anything, but sweet henry is he a god awful interviewer. Granted, he's not as bad as Leno was (literally the worst I've ever seen) but probably the worst among all the current late night guys.
Fallon is awful.
Aaron Rudolph Fallon is was forced humor looks like.
Did anyone ever get to tell a joke that Leno didn't either try to beat to the punchline or try to top it right afterwards?
Fallon is fake as fuck, just like all the others.
Letterman had at least had SOME sense of a no fucks given personality but Craig is the realest and Americans can't handle real.
They like the fake laughs and the fake personalities and the fake fantasies they have of real life.
I think Carson was the best of the traditional format, But Craig was my favorite and imo the best. Conan I think is the best right now comedy and interview wise. Also, he doesn't do 1000 jokes about Trump every night like all the others. Letterman was good too and I think Colbert could be much better if he didn't fucking go along with the PC mainstream political horseshit all the goddamned time. That's all he does anymore. It's sad because I actually like him, I think he is very talented and intelligent and could put on a great show but he just will NOT shut the fuck up about Trump. Same hack jokes that, like Hitchens said "all the stupid people laugh at." Oh well. At least we have reruns of Craig.
I'm so glad that Craig Ferguson is getting the credit he deserves. He was so charismatic and fun to watch. Such a change from the other shows out there.
I discovered Ferguson far later than I should have. He should be celebrated as one of the UK's best cultural exports instead of his successor.
Ive just discovered Craig Ferguson this weekend and already missed him.
i was sent here by a retired fantastic four member
RAVE ON!
Everyone should see this video because I thought about this ever time I watch Craig Ferguson. I loved that show.