Craig Ferguson will no longer be the host of CBS’ The Late, Late Show as of the end of the year. He
announced the departure during the taping of tonight’s show not as a divorce
but as he and the network “consciously uncoupling.” It also marks a complete
revamp of CBS’ late-night lineup, kicked off by the retirement of David
Letterman, who will be replaced by Stephen Colbert. Letterman’s company,
Worldwide Pants, produced Ferguson’s Late
Late Show, and according to Hollywood Reporter , Worldwide Pants is going
to be getting out of the producing game after Letterman departs television.
CBS Entertainment Chairman Nina Tassler said, “During his 10
years as host, Craig has elevated CBS to new creative and competitive heights
at 12:30. He infused the broadcast with tremendous energy, unique comedy,
insightful interviews and some of the most heartfelt monologues seen on
television. 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.”
Ferguson’s next job will come hosting the syndicated game show Celebrity Name Game. He ends an
almost 10-year run (from January of 2005 to December of 2014) with the network
that netted him a Peabody and some degree of critical acclaim but little of the
wider recognition that greeted many of his competitors.
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article from the AV Club.