Craig’s Back on the Tweety
After sending only three tweets since the 4th of March, our fearless leader Craig Ferguson returned to Twitter on Monday, sending out several tweets, beginning with a question:

I haven’t tweeted in so long I think my tweety may have seized up. Are there any robot skeletons in the house?

Several skellies responded, welcoming Craig back to Twitter. He asked astronomer Phil Plait about his Twitter handle @badastronomer using his current catchphrase:

Hey Phil Is a bad astronomer like a naughty librarian? #thatsoundsdirty

Then after poking fun at a mean tweet and re-tweeting a couple of notes from fans, he tweeted a picture of the inside of Studio 56 at CBS Television City, now under renovation to become the new home of the Late Late Show.

http://twitpic.com/9vfio5 Work begins on new studio. Already swankier than the old one #newthingsarescary #Ilookforwardtoyourcomplaints

What you can see in the photo are parts of the studio’s lighting grid, currently lowered to the floor, but which will eventually be raised back to the ceiling with lights hanging from them.  Note:  The following is probably more than you ever wanted to know about studio lighting, but we think it’s fun:

The grid of metal piping can be lowered on cables to the floor, where lights can be attached and plugged in.  Then once the grid is hoisted back up into place, technicians can use ladders or hydraulic lifts to go up and “focus” the lights.  Not only do the lights need to be pointed in the right direction, they are used for different reasons.  Some are set up to overlap slightly, casting an even wash of light across the set.  Others light up the background.  And some are set up in positions to highlight Craig during the monologue, Geoff at the podium, the door where guests emerge from backstage or for anyone sitting in the chairs and the desk.  For the lights in specific positions to light people on the set, most are set up in groups of three or four, to provide lighting from the front, at least one angle off to the side to create a more three-dimensional look and one from behind, to help separate the person from the background.  Most are white lights but others might be slightly blue, amber or pink to help bring out natural skin tones.  With a bigger stage in the new studio, they’ll need more lights to make sure everything can be seen.  And don’t let Craig’s jokes fool you.  Lighting for high-definition television is tricky and the technicians will be working to make sure it looks good.

Smell My Finger Awkward Pause
Aussie RSA member @Mel_mitches re-tweeted a photo from @RicBelfast, and wondered whether the “smell my finger” awkward pause was catching on.  There seems to be evidence in at least one work of art, which appears to be a mural in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Brave Review
Scotland’s television network STV has offered a mostly positive review of the Disney/Pixar film Brave. Note: Mild spoilers are included in their review of the movie, which opens on June 22nd across the country.


Brave Summer Games
With the 2012 Summer Olympic Games coming soon, Disney/Pixar used a “Summer Games” theme for their newest promotional video for Brave:

Video courtesy: Disney/Pixar

Tonight’s Guests
Monday on an all-new episode of the Late Late Show, Craig’s guests are actor Jason Schwartzman and comedian Rory Scovel.  Tuesday, Craig chats with actor Andy Garcia and actress Cody Horn, plus a comedy performance by Matt Kirshen.

Guest Update

We are still awaiting official word about the guests for the next two Fridays.  However, a few more names have been added to the list of June tapings, including Elijah Wood, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Lisa Kudrow, Denis Leary and Tyler Perry.  For the most complete listings, see our Guests page.  And please, if any of your Twitter friends are wondering who will be on the show and when, send them our way!

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