When I was home in Canada at Christmas, every night at 11 pm, my parents would watch Craig Ferguson on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.” For me it was a first. There is a robot (made by the boys from Mythbusters) who likes to answer most questions with “Balls” and a dancing horse Secretariat who drops by from time to time. Everyone (including people at home if my mom is anthing to go by) dances along.
In the UK, Craig (who I’ll be on a first name basis today) was a comedien and at one point toured with Harry Enfield and dabbled in television. His big break came after he hit the US and starred in the Drew Carrey show as Mr. Wick. He’s also written and been in tons of films but you’ll have to go to Wikipedia to read more about all he’s done. IN 2005, he moved to take over the Late Late Show on CBS and has completely changed the nature of the TV monologue. As the televison historian Ben Alba said, Ferguson “has already made his mark, taking the TV monologue to new levels with an underlying story. But he is only just starting …He is making up his own rules: It’s the immigrant experience.” And that was in 2008. It’s now 2011. I’m sure many more rules have been broken since.
What I love about him, is his honesty. He is who he is and his comedy is wacky and there are sexual indeundos abound (which is why my family loves him) but he also talks about real things. And by getting his questions about life and America answered, he is educating his audience. An audience that doesn’t get it many other places.
For instance, take this clip from around the time of Britney Spears shaved her head and was sent to rehab. Craig had just celebrated 15 years sober. He says: “I have a thinking problem. Not a drinking problem. Certain kind of people can’t drink. YOu have to be responsible for your actions, sick or well.” It’s 12 minutes long but worth the watch.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bbaRyDLMvA&w=480&h=390]
The moment I truely fell in love with him was when I saw his show on Black History month. He had Dr. Cornel West on his show. And he asked though questions about what Black History month really means and the history of the United States. You should watch the entire thing. Here is a little clip about changing yourself from the inside out and how our thoughts are shaped (and a little fun bit of banter about Titalation).
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg5gpoHQ_zA&w=480&h=390]
I applaude CBS for supporting his show. And I hope it has a long life. In the UK, it seems we look only to the Daily Show as a top program for enlightment and thought provokation in a battle against the fear mongering of Fox network news. I’d add Craig Ferguson to my list. Yes, there is a lot of craziness on there (I love that kind of humour) but there is a lot of great thought there too. If you can find it on the Internet I hope you watch too.
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