A Few Days Off
Craig Ferguson and company are back in Los Angeles after performing in Windsor, Ontario on Saturday night. They’ll be heading to Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday.  They’re off until then, with re-runs of the Late Late Show on the schedule Monday through Wednesday.  No tapings are scheduled this week and the new episodes Thursday and Friday were recorded earlier.  We hope they’re enjoying a well-deserved break. Craig’s opening act, comedian Randy Kagan is our source for great behind-the-scenes photos from the tour. He sent along a picture of Craig, the two of them together, with the plane that carries the gang from show to show, Bradley with the plane and a great shot of Craig before the show.

Stories from Craig’s Windsor Show
We were sent three great stories from Craig’s stand up comedy appearance at Caesar’s Windsor Casino in Windsor, Ontario Saturday night:

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The first comes from the RSA’s @pinkbirdie48840 who tells us about her experience attending the show, with no spoilers:

   I went to Craig’s show in Windsor last night. I had 3 friends w/ me, one of them a new one that I meet via Twitter who didn’t have a ride to Windsor, and because I had room in the car, invited her along. I think we’ll be friends for a long time as we share a love of all things Craigy. My 3 friends had only two things in common, myself & Craig.
   We left the Lansing area early Saturday morning, not sure what to expect when crossing the US/Canadian boarder. (No problems entering Canada or returning to the States.) We had a few hours to kill before we could check into the hotel, so wandered around downtown Windsor and found a place for lunch, called the “Snooty Rooster” (Excellent lunch by the way). We laughed and talked about the jokes that Craig would have made about the name of the place (Snooty Cock anyone?) We were finally able to check into the hotel at 2pm, got to our room and split up for the afternoon. One lady took advantage of the hot tub down stairs, one rested, and two of us went to gamble. She was successful, I was not. At every turn, the hotel staff was friendly and endured my endless questions about weather or not Craig would be available to meet or sign autographs, one even gave some helpful (but not successful) tips on how to meet the performers after the show. We had dinner at the casino’s expensive buffet (good food, but over priced for what it was). After dinner, and a potty break, we headed for the show. Getting inside was quick and easy and there were plenty of ushers to help you to your seat. (Our usher was so kind, and even went to ask how we could possibly meet Craig for us).We were 10th row center!
   Before the show, there was an announcement about turning off cellphones, and that there was no “recording” of the show allowed. Somewhat confused, we went to ask the “Security” dudes near the stage if that also included photography. There was a hotel suit w/ the security guys, and we were told that photographs were ok. Later in the show however, we were told quite rudely that no photographs were allowed. The casino staff needs to get on the same page with this!
   Finally the show started! A suspiciously Scottish voice introduced Randy! I enjoyed Randy’s portion of the show, even tho’ he had notes in his hand. Then it was Craig’s turn! All I’m going to say is that it was fantastic! I don’t want to give out any spoilers to ruin the show for anyone else. Craig was very energetic, and made full use of the whole stage. There were two large screens on either side of the stage so everyone could see him. The closing musical number was incredible! It was the fastest hour and a half of my life, and was over much too soon.
   Unfortunately, my wish to meet Craig was crushed by the casino, who only allowed “high rollers” that chance. So I’m sorry friends, there are no pictures of Craig, no pictures of me and Craig, and no Craig signature in my copy of “American On Purpose”.

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Stand Up Spoilers
The second and third accounts are from the RSA’s @RelukaHaske and @sjump54 who both have more details of the show itself. There are spoilers about what happens on stage. If you’re as excited as we were to hear about the new show, check it out! But don’t click on the arrow if you’re planning to see Craig live and don’t want to know what happens!

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From @RelukaHaske:
   The show was Hilarious! I had a blast. Randy Kagan opened the show and he didn’t seem to get that much response from the crowd. He talked a lot about his sobriety while being in a country with a pot leaf on their flag, and consulted his note card a lot.
   After Randy finished his set, Bradley in his Leprechaun outfit and Jeff Arnold dressed like a genie wheeled a giant treasure chest out onto the stage. Inside the chest were Wavy and Sid, who sang a duet about rainbows (I can’t remember the name of the song.)
   Finally, when the song was over, Craig walked on stage. He started off with, “It’s a great day for [slightly awkward pause] Canada!” The show was all new material, though he used the same ‘I’m going to tell you a joke’ framework as DTNTBS (a different joke though, the one about the 10 year old boy in a bra, panties and high heels smoking a cigar and drinking whiskey when his parents aren’t home.) He was hilarious; I couldn’t stop laughing the entire time I was there.
   The show finished with Craig, Bradley (this time dressed in an outfit similar to Gunter’s leatherboy outfit,) Randy and Jeff (now in a tux) doing a dance number to Michael Franti’s “Say Hey (I Love You).” They were fantastic.

From @sjump54:
   I can’t even begin to tell you how good Craig was tonight. He was so awesome and cussy and he made himself laugh so many times. I won’t say everything he did unless you ask me.
   New music this time around. Some Enya, Doctor Who-y sounding important music. Then from off stage, Craig introduced Randy. Randy started out really, really slow. He had notes again. Several jokes fell flat. But he did better by the end. And then time for Craig.
   New opening too. Bradley as the leprechaun and Jeff as the genie in Istanbul. They drug out a big chest, which I expect Craig to pop out, but no! I won’t say who, unless you DM me. Don’t want to spoil the surprise. But it was a musical number.
   Then Craig. He had on jeans, black boots, the darker blue shirt (from Nashville), and gray sports jacket. He was so happy to be here. He loves Canadians. A lot of the humor was directed towards them. So I’m assuming the US shows will be a little different. He talked about babies, Hitler and nazis, an actress he worked with and would “visit” her trailer every day, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Jennifer Aniston, Shark Week, and much more. I laughed so hard. The closing musical number was Say Hey (I Love You), with Bradley dressed like Chris used to be (leather harness), Randy and Jeff (in tux). It was awesome.
   The crowd was pretty good. A real mixed bag of young and old. I had good seats, 3rd row, just passed the end of stage right. The big screen was right in front of me, so I could really see Craig well.
   Hope this isn’t too long, but I wanted to write it down before I forgot details. Now back downstairs for a drink and little gambling. Oh, no pictures. They were pretty strict until the end, when some lady in the front row took a picture of Craig, and he posed, showing both penises. (A joke from the show!)

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Spoilers end here – Non-spoiler material continues below.

As you’re read, there appeared to be some confusion over whether still photographs were permitted at the show. From what we understand, while Craig and his management do not allow video to be taken at Craig’s live shows, they usually don’t mind still photos. However, management at the venues where he appears have policies that vary from place to place. For example, still pictures were not allowed in Denver back in March. But they have been allowed at most of the shows in the past. If you did manage to capture still pictures from Saturday’s show, please send them our way. We’d be happy to post them.

Thanks to all three roboskellies for sharing their stories with the rest of the RSA!
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Josh Considers a Name Change
Josh Robert Thompson says he might make a change: [quotetweet 62083542213079040]

Now That’s a Face
Get an up-close look at Craig’s make-out face.

Video courtesy: Fergufool

This Week’s Guests
The re-run fairy makes a short visit Monday through Wednesday of this week, followed by all-new episodes of the Late Late Show on Thursday and Friday.  Monday, it’s the March 10th episode with comedienne Wanda Sykes and actor Kevin McKidd.  On Tuesday, watch for retired TV host Larry King and medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta from the March 29th show.  And on Wednesday, it’s the March 30th episode featuring actor Matthew McConaughey and actress Amy Smart.  New episodes resume on Thursday with actor Tom Selleck and actress Odette Annable.  Finally on Friday, Craig welcomes actor/comedian Bob Saget and music by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings.  Out Guests page is updated through May 5th.

 

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