Two More Years
Robot skeletons across the hollowed out volcano have been dancing for joy, as word spreads that Craig Ferguson will be hosting the Late Late Show for at least another two years.  CBS has extended contracts for both Craig and David Letterman to continue their shows through the summer of 2014.  Among the media outlets reporting the news are The New York Times in a blog by late night television expert Bill Carter, E! Online, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and more. Reports also indicate that in the new deal, CBS will co-produce the Late Late Show along with Letterman’s company Worldwide Pants, giving the network more control of the show and its future.

CBS also confirmed plans to move the Late Late Show into a larger studio space at CBS Television City.  Since the show began in 1995 with founding host Tom Snyder, the show has been recorded in the facility’s Studio 58, which is on the second floor, despite Craig’s joking references to the “basement.”  It was originally designed as a rehearsal space for the shows performed in the studios on the ground level.

There are eight studios at Television City and all have been used for many different shows over the years.  The current schedule includes these programs produced for CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC and HBO:

Studio 31 – The Bold and the Beautiful
Studio 33 – The Price is Right / Real Time with Bill Maher
Studio 36 – American Idol / X-Factor / America’s Got Talent
Studio 41 – The Young and the Restless
Studio 43 – The Young and the Restless
Studio 46 – Dancing with the Stars / Survivor finale episodes
Studio 56 – Rehearsals, news conferences, single-camera pilot episodes, other uses (including The Tyra Banks Show and The Wanda Sykes Show in recent years)
Studio 58 – The Late Late Show

Because all of the studios have current uses, it’s not clear which studio the Late Late Show might use, although Bill Carter’s article suggested the show would move “next door,” implying Studio 56.  Because the show records about 200 episodes each year, they need an essentially year-round, permanent home.  Most of the other shows tape multiple episodes at a time, a few times a year.  We’ll keep you posted as more details are announced about the move and when it will happen.

Craig at Paley Center
Craig will be appearing in person at the Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles on May 10th to talk about his journey from childhood in Scotland to American talk show host.  He’ll also be showing an early look at highlights from the shows he taped on his recent trip to Scotland, which are due to air May 14-18.  Tickets are listed as being for members of the Paley Center only, however there does appear to be a way to buy tickets as a member of the general public on their website.

Funny TV
In an article for Vanity Fair, writer James Wolcott makes the case that today’s television comedy is superior to comedy on film and includes Craig Ferguson as one of the reason’s why.

Turning 50 Soon

AARP, the organization that advocates for older Americans, usually makes note of celebrities when they reach their 50th birthday.  Among those on the list for May is Craig.  They included an illustration and a short note about our favorite late night host.  Thanks to the RSA’s @bgrhubarb for grabbing the text and @jadedamber for capturing the image.

Can You Handle the Truth?
Craig talks about the value of the truth, fairy cakes, haggis and Mr. Happy.

Video courtesy: Fergufool

Tonight’s Guests

Tuesday on the Late Late Show, Craig’s guests are actor Ted Danson and actress Hannah Simone.  On Wednesday, Craig welcomes back actor Jeffrey Tambor.

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