Jury DutyCraig Ferguson had a chance Tuesday to enjoy one of the responsibilities of US citizenship, serving jury duty in Los Angeles. Using the hashtag #12angrymen, a reference to the landmark film about the tension inside a jury room, Craig kept up a running commentary on Twitter during the day:
[stextbox id=”custom”]@ LA criminal justice building. I feel very guilty & I’m only here for jury duty. Hope I get out in time for tonight’s show. #12angrymen
Lady sitting next to me in jury selection room is a chronic knuckle cracker. I’d give her the damn chair. #12angrymen
Old lady sitting opposite me in jury selection is giving me the stink eye. I’m getting stir crazy. I might have to cut a bitch. #12angrymen
Old lady in jury room & I have made up. She wasn’t giving me stink eye she just kinda looks like that.We are planning breakout. #12angrymen
Jury duty hr 3. Went for pee. Old lady stole my seat. Now relocated next to sneezy dude with wavy hankie syndrome. Roll on flu. #12angrymen
Sneezing activity picking up in jury room. Getting a bit plague-y in here. #ringaroundtheroses#bringoutyerdead#12angrymen
Freed by judge who agreed I was too much of a showbiz douche to be in a jury in her courtroom. Thanks ( I think) Your Honor. #12angymen[/stextbox]
In years past, high-visibility celebrities were essentially given a pass… a practically automatic exemption from jury service. But today, everyone is at least given consideration before a decision is made. What often happens is that one or both attorneys involved in the case decline to have someone so well-known in the jury box, for fear it would be a distraction to witnesses or other jurors. David Letterman has been rejected for service several times and has joked about it on his show.  This time, Craig did not have to hear a case but perhaps he will have the chance in the future.
See Craig Backstage!
The local CBS television station in Miami is offering a contest to FLORIDA RESIDENTS to win tickets to Craig’s show at the Seminole Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL on November 20th… and if you are the top winner, you can meet Craig backstage! The grand prize includes:
A room at the hotel for one night
Dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe
Two VIP tickets to the show
Meet and greet with Craig Ferguson
And there are ten second prizes, which each include a pair of tickets. IMPORTANT NOTE: The contest is open to FLORIDA RESIDENTS ONLY who are 18 years of age or older. Winners will be notified via phone and/or e-mail on Monday, November 14th. To enter, just fill out the form on the station’s website. If you win, please let us know!
People’s Choice
The five finalists were announced Tuesday for the Late Night Host category of the People’s Choice Awards. Craig did not receive enough votes to make the final five, although surprisingly, neither did popular hosts Jon Stewart nor Steven Colbert. The final five are:
Voting continues through December 6th and the winners will be announced during the awards ceremony on January 11th.
Kimmel and Commercials
The Atlantic has a story about how Jimmy Kimmel has integrated sponsors into his show more than other late night hosts, to the delight of those companies but perhaps to the disappointment of viewers.
Tonight’s Guests
Tuesday on the Late Late Show, Craig welcomes the whirlwind that is actress Jennifer Tilly, chats with author Lawrence Block and gives us a taste of Geoff Peterson voiced by actor Dominic Monaghan. On Wednesday, actor Thomas Lennon takes a turn at Geoff’s controls while Craig interviews actress Ellen Barkin and comedian Dave Atell.
Guest Update
Jason Schwartzman
The guest listings have been updated through November 23rd, to include Johnny Galecki, Jason Segal, Eliza Coupe and Wilford Brimley, plus Jason Schwartzman has been added to next week’s list of Geoff Peterson guest voices. There will be no tapings from November 21st-25th as the show takes a break for the week of Thanksgiving but operations resume in earnest, with eight tapings scheduled for the week of November 28th-December 2nd alone. Check out the most complete and up-to-date listings on our Guests page.