Brave to Open Dolby Theatre The Disney/Pixar animated feature film Brave, which opens nationwide in the United States on June 22nd and features the voice talent of Craig Ferguson, will be the debut film for the grand re-opening of the newly-renamed Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. As detailed by TheWrap.com, Brave’s world premiere will be part of the Los Angeles Film Festival, which begins June 14th. The Dolby Theatre is the former Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards. The 3,400 seat venue is being updated for 3-D and with Dolby’s newest sound systems. To celebrate, we’ll be posting a new Brave trailer every day this week.
Rob Burnett Talks About Craig
Last Friday, Rob Burnett, President of Worldwide Pants (David Letterman’s production company, which co-produces the Late Late Show with CBS) made himself available for a question and answer session on reddit.com. Along the way, he had nice things to say about Craig. Enjoy the full Q & A session. Thanks to the RSA’s @bgrhubarb for the link!
A Late Late Show Mention
On a recent episode of the now-canceled Fox series The Finder, one of the characters makes a reference to the Late Late Show, saying, “What did we learn on the show tonight, Craig,” at about a minute into the episode. Thanks to the RSA’s @bgrhubarb for the heads up!
Video courtesy: Fox
The Bear Story
Here is a clip from the upcoming movie Brave, where we hear one of the legends around which the story is based:
Video courtesy: Disney/Pixar
This Week’s Guests
Sonya Walger
UPDATED: Craig is back in Los Angeles for another week of the Late Late Show beginning Monday when he’ll talk with actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan and read emails with Steven Wright. On Tuesday, Craig welcomes actor Billy Bob Thornton and actress Sonya Walger. Wednesday, Craig chats with a perennial favorite, actress Jennifer Love Hewitt and actress Rutina Wesley. Actress Keke Palmer was also scheduled for Wednesday’s taping but has been taken off the listing for Wednesday night’s show. We’ll let you know when she returns. On Thursday, Craig’s guests are actor Alfred Molina and musician Sara Watkins. For the time being, Friday’s guests are still to be announced. The most recent update from CBS indicates that Friday’s show will be a new episode. We are aware of at least seven new guest interviews, a comedian’s stand up routine and a band that have been taped during the past month and are still waiting to be aired. As soon as we get word from CBS, we’ll update this post and our Guests page.
A Scotland Recap
The A.V. Club has a complete review of the Late Late Show in Scotland. The Arbroath Herald has high hopes for a tourism boost following the show’s attention to the town’s sights.
Thanking CBS The RSA’s @Colleen_Byrne reminds us that now would be a great time to tell CBS that we appreciate that they helped make it possible for Craig to take the show to Scotland for a week. Here is a link to the CBS viewer comment page, where you can pass along your thanks.
A Skelly at Paley
The RSA’s @greyblue_eyes was in the audience at the Paley Center last Thursday when Craig was on hand to preview Monday’s episode of the Late Late Show in Scotland. With the help of a friend, she was able to spend a little time in the press line and ask Craig some questions. Thanks to her for a fun story!
[stextbox id=”custom”]Craig at the Paley Center
My friend Lisa (@LAEditor), who works at LA Weekly, contacted me a couple weeks ago when the Paley Center event was announced and asked if I’d like to come visit – she’s a member of the Paley Center, and a journalist, so getting tickets was easy for her. Within minutes, I had booked a flight from Tampa, and also gotten tickets to a LLS taping the day before, where we ran into a few other Roboskellies, including @colleen_byrne.
It was the first time I’d ever seen a television taping, and it was a little odd to see the goings on. (This was the episode where they came up with the “That sounds dirty!” catchphrase.)
Because Craig plays to the camera and the audience at home so much (which is one of the endearing parts of the show), it feels more distant when you’re actually there, than when you’re watching at home. If you ever attend a taping, I’d recommend trying to sit on the sides, rather than in the middle, so your view isn’t blocked by the camera.
The next night, thanks to Lisa, I got into the press line before the Paley event, while the preview was showing in the theater. There were 3 other reporters and a couple of photographers.
Many of the questions that were asked he had answered on some of the talk shows that week, or he covered again in the Q&A, but here are a few I asked that I haven’t seen elsewhere (to my knowledge).
It’s just a quick summary, paraphrasing, as I didn’t get it recorded word for word, but he chatted with me for maybe 3-4 minutes or so, one on one, face to face over the velvet rope. And yes, his eyes are really that blue.
Me: After doing the show in Paris, and now Scotland, where do you think you’ll take it next?
CF: Not sure, we haven’t really thought that far ahead. (he pauses, thinking)
Me: Canberra, perhaps?
CF: (laughing) FUCK NO! Maybe somewhere in the South. I really enjoy doing shows there, love the audience response down south.
Me: What do you think your career would have been like if you hadn’t come to America?
CF: Who can say, really? I’d probably be doing something similar. I’ve got a good friend over in Scotland with a radio show, so maybe I’d be doing something like I do here, but on the radio.
Me: How are things progressing with Ghosts of Belfast? (Craig has the movie rights of this novel by Stuart Neville)
CF: (raises eyebrows, perhaps surprised that I was asking about this) It’s going great, thanks. The screenplay is already done, and we’ll probably start production later this year.
After the questions and some more photos, we were then ushered into the press section in the back row of the theater, and I quickly realized we were sitting behind Michael Naidus and Josh Robert Thompson. After the screening I congratulated them both, as I think it was even better than the Paris shows. David Sedaris steals the show!
I chatted with Josh for a bit, explaining that thanks to his and Craig’s hijinks, I’m happily distracted on the treadmill every morning, approaching 800 days in a row now. I got a picture with Josh http://twitpic.com/9kuac6 and then went down to the stage where Craig was.
He had filmed two episodes that day, done the press line and Q&A, and by now it was maybe 9:15 or 9:30. He must have been tired, but the only sign of that was how much further he loosened his tie. He graciously engaged with the fans, signed autographs, and posed for pictures, including one with me. http://twitpic.com/9kuc6v
I wasn’t sure what to expect of this night, and I certainly wasn’t expecting to have conversations with Michael, Josh, and Craig, nor that they’d seem so normal and down to earth. It certainly was a memorable couple days, and I’m going to have to pay back my friend Lisa big time!
***
Meanwhile, @greyblue_eyes’ friend @LAEditor wrote her piece about Craig’s Paley Center appearance, which you can read here at LA Weekly.
[/stextbox] May Birthdays Saturday, May 19th is the birthday of civil rights activist Malcolm X, writer Nora Ephron, actor Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca from Star Wars) and professional wrestler/actor Andre the Giant. For a chuckle, check out 18 dogs that look like Chewbacca. Our favorite is the first one. Sunday, May 20th is the birthday of actor James Stewart, singer Cher, guitarist Jane Wiedlin and actor Bronson Pinchot. Take a listen to one of the biggest hit songs Jane wrote, “Our Lips Are Sealed.” It was the tune that propelled Wiedlin and her bandmates from the L.A. punk scene onto the charts as the new wave band the Go-Go’s in 1981.
Video courtesy: emimusic
A Great Week in Scotland
It’s been a great week for America, everybody. And for Scotland. And for robot skeletons around the world who have enjoyed the chance to see Craig Ferguson roaming his childhood haunts and giving us some unique insight into the place where he grew up. Here is a look back at just some of the memories of the week:
[ssg-superb-slideshow=23=600=480=7000=500=0=NO]
An Outstanding Craig Interview
As the Late Late Show’s week in Scotland winds to a close, enjoy TV critic David Bianculli‘s fantastic interview with Craig on TVWorthWatching.com. There have been many interviews of Craig Ferguson in the past several years. We’ve pretty much seen them all, and this may be one of the best.
More Coverage for Jordan
Jordan Malone, the 12-year-0ld Scottish student who played “Young Craig” for the Late Late Show’s week of episodes in Scotland, was interviewed by Scottish television about his role.
Craig Gets Some Simulation Time
The president of Craig’s production company, Rebecca Tucker, tweeted a picture of our fearless leaders standing outside a British Airways training simulator:
Ben Dukes Making Music
Singer/songwriter and Late Late Show bouncer Ben Dukes is excited that his latest project is out on iTunes:
How bout this one… my EP, Down In Flames, is now on iTUNES!!!!!! BOOM!!!
The Big Wave
When the RSA’s @doxieone1 was on vacation in Istanbul recently, she noticed a tour guide who had a unique way of keeping the attention of his tour group: A giant (not Mickey Mouse for copyright reasons) hand, like the one Craig used to wave to Jimmy Fallon. As soon as we heard “Istanbul,” we were immediately reminded of one of Craig’s musical numbers from the past:
Video courtesy: karatekid017
Tonight’s Guests
Friday on the Late Late Show, Craig visits Glamis Castle, the former home of Queen Elizabeth, with David Sedaris and Ariel Tweto and we’ll enjoy one more musical performance by The Imagineers. Also, beware of the Killer Ducks!
Guest Update
Howie Mandel
The Late Late Show guest list has been partially updated through May 31st with a couple of guests yet to be announced. Added to the confirmed list are Wolfgang Puck, Howie Mandel and Carrie Fisher. For the most up-to-date listings, visit out Guests page.
Jordan Malone is Talk of Scotland Jordan Malone, the 12-year-old actor chosen to portray “young Craig” during this week’s episodes of the Late Late Show in Scotland, is getting noticed for his work. Scotland’s Evening Times newspaper has an article about him, which we’ve included below:
[stextbox id=”custom”]Jordan is U.S. Late Late star, at just 12
A 12-YEAR-OLD Scot has landed a dream role in one of America’s biggest television shows.
Actor Jordan Malone, from Cumbernauld, will be beamed into hundred of thousands of American homes tonight as he stars on The Late Late Show, hosted by fellow Scot Craig Ferguson.
The first-year pupil at Cumbernauld High plays the part of the young Ferguson, himself a former pupil at the school, every night this week for the show’s Scotland Week.
Jordan won the part after he was recommended by his drama club to the show’s producers.
His mum Lynsey Welsh, 29, believes even with his new-found stardom, Jordan’s feet are firmly on the ground. She said: “He has a laidback nature so he just took it all in his stride. The production team were saying, ‘he’s easier to work with than adult actors’. They couldn’t believe he hadn’t done an audition before, it was just so natural to him.”
The show’s Scotland Week also features an appearance by First Minister Alex Salmond and special guests, Green Mile actor, Michael Clarke Duncan and Hollywood star Mila Kunis – who took a shine to Jordan.
Ms Welsh said: “Jordan met Mila Kunis who said Jordan looked handsome in his tartan trousers. He was quite happy with that.”
The talented youngster admitted he enjoyed his first exper-ience of Hollywood glamour and hoped there would be more in the pipeline. He said: “Mila was only there briefly because she had to go through to Edinburgh but it was a really fun experience.”[/stextbox]
Tickets Go On Sale
Tickets for Craig’s October 11th stand up comedy performance in Ithaca, NY are on sale Friday, May 18th. You can find the link for tickets along with details for all of Craig’s upcoming shows on our Live Comedy Tour page.
Celebrating Craig’s Birthday
To celebrate Craig’s birthday of May 17th, BBC America put together a collection of some of Craig’s best Doctor Who moments.
Birthday Gift Rebecca Tucker, the president of Craig’s production company, sent out a reminder about Craig’s birthday on May 17th, urging people to make a donation to a group he has supported for several years, the USO.
Once UK Citizens, Now US Citizens
BBCAmerica.com has a slideshow of ten high-profile American citizens who were once citizens of the UK, including Craig. Thanks to the RSA’s @kstene for the link!
Awkward Pause
While sitting in the home where he grew up, Craig reminds us that no one can do an awkward pause like a Scottish woman.
Video courtesy: TVsCraigFerguson2
Tonight’s Guests
Thursday on the Late Late Show, Craig visits Scotland’s two largest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh, with Mila Kunis. Friday, Craig visits Glamis Castle, the former home of Queen Elizabeth, with David Sedaris and Ariel Tweto.
Happy Birthday, Craig
On Thursday, May 17th, our fearless leader turns 50 years old. Happy birthday to Craig Ferguson, and many more!
Coverage of Scotland’s First Minister Craig’s Tuesday interview with Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond is getting some attention from the country’s media, including the Daily Record newspaper and Scotland’s STV News. Amid the show’s comedy sketches and travelogue moments, the in-depth interview took a serious look at Scotland’s latest efforts to secure a greater degree of political independence from the United Kingdom. Here is the full interview, along with a brief history of the Declaration of Arbroath:
Video courtesy: TVsCraigFerguson2
Perez Shows Up
Hollywood gossip king/queen Perez Hilton rarely reports on Craig Ferguson but since Mila Kunis is involved in this week’s shows from Scotland, the added star power was enough to garner a mention.
Craig on ET
We have not seen Craig’s full interview this week with Entertainment Tonight posted anywhere but they did make a “web extra” interview available, where Craig talks about the Scotland shows, his birthday and how he prepares for shows:
Video courtesy: Fergufool
Secretariat Running Free
What was the best part of Secretariat running free at the end of Monday’s show? Surely it must be the Secretariat theme music performed on the bagpipes.
Video courtesy: TVsCraigFerguson2
Tonight’s Guests Wednesday on the Late Late Show, Craig returns to his hometown of Cumbernauld with Michael Clarke Duncan. On Thursday, Craig visits Scotland’s two largest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh, with Mila Kunis.
Scotland Shows Rock!
Were you as blown away as we were by the opening night of Craig Ferguson‘s week of episodes of the Late Late Show in Scotland? Thanks to the RSA’s General @Malinky2Stoatir, we’ve been watching the half Scottish punk/half Doctor Who opening segment over and over!
Video courtesy: CBS
Michael Tweets Craig has been quiet on Twitter this week but LLS Producer Michael Naidus has been tweeting about the Scotland shows:
[stextbox id=”custom”]I’m a big fan of @TheImagineers … and after tonight [Monday], anyone who watches The Late Late Show in Scotland, will be too. #IseeasIsay.
For those of you just saw the Scotland opening [Monday] yes that was The Steve Jones. Yes that was Craig singing. Yes, that was a real Tardis.
Scotland nugget: Craig’s chat with Mila Kunis, who is awesome, aired completely without edits just as it took place in Glasgow’s Necropolis[/stextbox]
So What Was That Song?
The music from the opening segment of Monday night’s show was taken from a Scottish punk song called the “Scottish Rite Temple Stomp.” Some new lyrics were written for the occasion and as Michael pointed out, Craig sang it himself. Thanks to the folks at hennemusic.com for finding the details about the music and an itunes link to the original song.
Fun in Scotland
The president of Craig’s production company, Rebecca Tucker tweeted a photo from th week the Scotland episodes were taped back in March:
Tuesday Preview Mild spoilers ahead: On Tuesday’s show, Craig interviews Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond. If you’d like to see a brief preview of that interview, click on the arrow below.
Scotland Show Coverage
The website GossipCenter.com reports on Craig’s conversation with Mila Kunis in the cemetery on Monday’s show. NBC’s local television station group is posting an interview with Craig on their websites around the country. And the Los Angeles Times has a brief article about the Scotland episodes that the posted on Tuesday morning.
King of Late Night
In connection with its airing of the American Masters program about Johnny Carson, New York’s PBS station is asking viewers to vote on which current late night host should be considered the new “king of late night.” You can vote by visiting their page and clicking where it says “vote now” on the image of the television set.
Fringe Fans Also tweeting on Monday was the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which is proud to consider Craig one of their own:
We’re excited to see the @CraigyFerg Scotland homecoming shows, which kick off today! Great to see a local @edfringe lad made good…
Craig on Chelsea
In case you missed Craig’s appearance on Chelsea Lately Monday night, enjoy his enthusiasm for massage chairs:
Video courtesy: onechirimine
Tonight’s Guests
Tuesday on the Late Late Show in Scotland, Craig visits the historic town of Arbroath with Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond and Rashida Jones. On Wednesday, Craig returns to his hometown of Cumbernauld with Michael Clarke Duncan.
Tour Update Craig has filled in the last gap of his October east coast tour schedule, with a show at the State Theater in Ithaca, NY on Thursday, October 11th at 8:00pm. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 18th (Thursday, May 17th for those on the theater’s email list) for the show. For the most complete and up-to-date venues, dates, times and ticket information for Craig’s stand up shows, check out our Live Comedy Tour page.
Scotland Episodes Media Buzz Leading up to Monday night’s first episode of the Late Late Show in Scotland, Craig Ferguson was interviewed by dozens of publications about the shows. We’ve saved three of the best for last: The New York Times where Craig talks about the differences between the shows he did last year in Paris and this year’s Scotland episodes, New York Magazine where Craig reflects on some of the things he learned returning to his homeland for the shows, and the Onion’s AV Club where the writer, Will Harris, does a great job asking a wide range of questions and getting some fantastic answers from Craig, not only about the Scotland shows but much more. Enjoy!
Please Note: Significant SPOILERS inside the gray box! For a detailed guide to the week’s shows, television critic David Bianculli gives us a rundown in his column for the website TV Worth Watching. Plus some tweets and photos released today give us a peek at what’s ahead.
If you want to be surprised by the shows this week, skip the link hidden in the gray bar below. If you don’t mind and want to get a great taste of the shows ahead, including photos, click the arrow.
[stextbox id=”custom” caption=”Scotland Show Details – SPOILERS!”]Scotland Show Details
Check out the photos and episode details with significant spoilers on TV Worth Watching.
In addition, CBS release some preview photos on Monday, which contain some mild spoilers, so click with caution to see them on the CBS website.
For the week’s opening musical number, you may want to keep an eye open for Tim and Stoker from the band The Light Brigade, who tweeted:
See if you can spot Tim and Stoker tonight on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. They will be going with a different look tonight.
Promotion on CBS
CBS has been airing promotions for the Scotland episode like this one:
Video courtesy: TVsCraigFerguson2
Craig on Entertainment Tonight
Thanks to the RSA’s General @Malinky2Stoatir for capturing the tease for Craig’s appearance on Entertainment Tonight on Monday. Mild spoilers ahead in the video clip with some moments from the show.
Video courtesy: TVsCraigFerguson2
Craig with Chelsea on E!
Craig also visits with Chelsea Handler on her show Chelsea Lately, Monday night on E! Here is the preview:
Video courtesy: Chelsea Lately
Craig on TPIR
Craig appeared Monday on The Price Is Right to announce details of one of the days’ showcases, including some great prizes:
Video courtesy: The Price Is Right
‘Young Craig’ Enjoyed Role
Jordan James Malone, the 12-year-old actor chosen to play the young version of Craig in the LLS in Scotland episodes, said he had a great time in the role. He tells the Cumbernauld News that the scenes he did were improvised.
Tonight’s Guests
All this week, it’s the Late Late Show in Scotland! On Monday, we’ll see at least a few moments with most of Craig’s guests for the week, including Mila Kunis, Michael Clarke Duncan, Rashida Jones, David Sedaris and Ariel Tweto. On Tuesday, Craig visits the historic town of Arbroath with Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond and Rashida Jones.
Ariel Tweto tweeted:
Please watch me and @craigyferg on the #latelateshow all week long!! A lot of fun and a lot of Scotland!!
Guest Update
Billy Bob Thornton
The Late Late Show guest list has been updated through May 24th with Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Steven Wright, Billy Bob Thornton, Sonya Walger, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Keke Palmer and Alfred Molina, plus future guests Julie Delpy, Michael Showalter, Wolfgang Puck, Edward Norton, Carrie Fisher and more! Check out the complete list on our Guests page.
Ticket Update
Tickets are now on sale for Craig Ferguson’s live stand up comedy shows in Ridgefield, CT on October 8 and Greesburg, PA on October 10, plus table sponsorships available for a special performance in Denver on November 10 benefiting the Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation. See the most up-to-date information about Craig’s shows on our Live Comedy Tour page.
The Disney/Pixar animated feature film Brave, which opens nationwide in the United States on June 22nd and features the voice talent of Craig Ferguson, will be the debut film for the grand re-opening of the newly-renamed Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. As detailed by TheWrap.com, Brave’s world premiere will be part of the Los Angeles Film Festival, which begins June 14th. The Dolby Theatre is the former Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards. The 3,400 seat venue is being updated for 3-D and with Dolby’s newest sound systems. To celebrate, we’ll be posting a new Brave trailer every day this week.
