Jeff Neira/CBS Jeff 68 August 2007 Watch! (Late Late) & Day Night Since joining the late-night fray in 2005, Craig Ferguson has managed to carve out his own comedic niche. How does he continue to do it night after night? Well, take a peek behind the scenes of The Late Late Show By Phil Zimmerman Watch! August 2007 69 Craig IT’S 9 a.m. in Los angeles, just off Ferguson Beverly Boulevard. as tourists pack the nearby farmers market, celebri- ties, agents, publicists and some of television’s most influential media executives and producers make their way through the morning gridlock to begin their workday at the legendary studio, CBS Television City. It is at this same location that late-night co- through the competing late-night shows median Craig Ferguson and his staff and quickly puts any finishing touches on of nearly 50 begin their day as well. a list of topics to discuss with Ferguson for Ferguson joined the late-night that evening’s monologue. television arena as host of The Late “In the monologue, we have covered top- Late Show in January 2005, follow- ics as varied as Freudian psychology, dis- ing a career that has included graced preacher Ted Haggard and the ban film, television and stage. The on trans fats,” Nickoll explains. “We try to Scottish-born actor, writer, be topical and relevant without being too director and producer, who harsh or overtly political. Craig, however, is also known for his role as Nigel Wick is not afraid to make a point or express a on The Drew Carey Show, has brought a Watch!: What is your average day like, strong opinion when he feels passionate unique approach to late-night television, leading up to the show’s taping? about something. The ideal monologue has with unscripted monologues that often can Craig Ferguson: Like the show itself—a a narrative thread, a point of view and big last up to 10 minutes. combination of panic, improvisation and laughs.” airing weeknights at 12:37 a.m., after cheesy snacks. While Nickoll is doing his morning The Late Show with David Letterman, the research, the other staff writers regularly W: Are there any comedians or people in program has become popular among general who inspire your comedy? stop by and review their ideas for any millions of nightly insomniacs. Helping CF: David Letterman and Les Moonves— sketch segments later that night. Needless create the nightly mix is head writer David and anyone else who holds my fate in their to say, the topics discussed during these Nickoll—one of 10 writers, including mighty hands. staff meetings aren’t typical of most office Ferguson, who develop the comedic direc- jobs. tion the show takes each night. He also W: How much of your monologue is done “Craig is a fearless performer who’s will- works closely with Ferguson in creating extemporaneously? Do you normally share ing to embarrass himself on camera. We the monologue and delegating any other your general outline with anyone? tend to do a fair amount of British humor comedy assignments. CF: The censors like to know what’s going and we’re not afraid to put Craig in a dress,” to happen. I tell them as much as I know. Even though he works in late-night Nickoll jokes. comedy, Nickoll—who began working at W: Your comedy, particularly your mono- Knowing Ferguson’s personality and The Late Late Show when it first launched logues, has been sensitive to issues in your enthusiasm, the writers pitch ideas that with Craig Kilborn in 1999—is awake well own life and in the lives of others. How have Ferguson dressed in costumes ranging before sunrise. as he stumbles out of bed much of your life experience impacts your from a Playboy Bunny outfit and heels to each morning, the first thing he does is comedy? a ridiculous Kim Jong Il costume complete pick up his copy of the Los Angeles Times CF: All of it. I talk about my life. It’s the only with wig and glasses. The writers also dis- from the driveway and scour the paper for thing I am an expert on. cuss fake guest bits that would get a laugh, any interesting stories or topics of the day. including split-screen, faux news coverage : Was there ever a moment on your show “I’m really trying to figure out what W and celebrity impressions. that didn’t go as planned—a joke, a skit, people are interested in and what topics etc.? “Craig does a range of celebrities and we might work for the show,” Nickoll says. CF: We don’t plan—so that way nothing have excellent performers who come in “Some days are obvious and the writing can possibly go wrong. Rehearsal is for and do spot-on impressions of President comes easy. When Dick Cheney acciden- sissies. Bush and Governor Schwarzenegger,” Nick- tally shoots his lawyer in the face, we’re oll explains. grateful,” Nickoll jokes. “On other days, we W: Hosting the post-Super Bowl show is a During these morning sessions with the daunting challenge. Were you nervous? have to be very careful about topic selec- other writers, Nickoll listens intently while Cliff Lipson/CBS Ferguson: tion. You want to be relevant and topical, CF: Funnily enough, I find live TV relaxing. jotting down notes, and gives feedback. He but there are some stories we don’t find Weird, I know, but I have never claimed to not only listens to the actual content of the be a poster boy for sanity. appropriate, so we avoid them altogether.” writers’ sketches but also notes who the Shortly after pulling into his parking W: I have to ask—because you so often writers have in mind to star in each sketch. spot at 9 a.m., Nickoll is in the office troll- bring it up on your show—why do you “The sketches tend to be more written, ing the Internet with one hand and holding believe Bob Barker is a vampire? but it’s not uncommon for Craig to veer off a TiVo remote in the other. He scrolls CF: Why do you believe he isn’t? the page, especially with performers he 70 August 2007 Watch! Ferguson welcomes the audience with Late Late Show executive producer Gary Considine. has confidence in such as Tim meadows NOTABLE MOMENTS ON and Dave Foley,” Nickoll says. Cue the Rewrites The LaTe LaTe Show It’s 10:30 a.m. and Nickoll is just about to enter Ferguson’s office for the next hour to wiTh Craig FerguSon discuss the morning’s monologue and the JULY 14, 2006 After filming the show the Friday before major stories of the day. It’s during these Bob Barker, host of CBS’ long-running game the game, the staff flew to Miami, did the morning meetings that Ferguson will often show The Price Is Right, pays Ferguson a visit, live postgame show on Sunday, and shortly punch up a joke or sometimes suggest a along with his announcer Rich Fields and the afterward, flew back to Los Angeles to tape different ending. infamous Barker Beauties, and demolishes Monday night’s show. “On a good day, the notes are nominal. the set previously used by host Craig Kilborn. On a bad day, we’ll do a major rewrite,” FEB. 19, 2007 JULY 24, 2006 Ferguson takes a bold stand when he refrains Nickoll says. “Every piece of comedy flows A new set is unveiled by Leo Akira Yoshimura, through Craig. We facilitate his vision and from poking fun at Britney Spears, who nota- who has designed award-winning sets bly shaved her head and created comedic bring as much as we can to the table ... He used by such shows as Saturday Night fuel for numerous late-night comedy knows what works for him as a performer. Live, Access Hollywood and The To- and cable programs. TV critics and Our job is to take his and our collective night Show with Jay Leno. Ferguson’s fansDane, alike lauded check Ferguson’s clipping decision. experiences, ideas and humor and adapt it new set was designed to resemble old “Comedy shouldpath. contain a certain to his voice. Craig’s interests, enthusiasm Hollywood with a backdrop featur- amount of joy. It should be about and passion define the show. ” ing some of Los Angeles’ most iconic attacking the powerful people, landmarks such as Grauman’s Chinese at 11:30 a.m., Nickoll rushes to at- attacking the politicians and Theater, the Santa Monica Ferris tend the staff meeting, run by Executive the Trumps and the other Wheel, Pink’s Hot Dogs and the blowhards. It shouldn’t be Producer Gary Considine, where they Farmer’s Market clock. review the show’s rundown. Considine and about going after vulner- Nickoll work closely with Ferguson and the FEB. 5, 2007 able people,” Ferguson Late Late Show crew at every step of the The Late Late Show with Craig says during his monologue, process from creative content to office and Ferguson pulls an all-nighter where he also discusses studio personnel to operations systems and with a live, post-Super Bowl his past alcohol-addiction special from Miami. problems. Ferguson: Robert Voets/CBS; Barker: Monty Brinton/CBS Brinton/CBS Monty Barker: Voets/CBS; Robert Ferguson: financial status. Bob Barker Watch! August 2007 71 “The process is a lot more collaborative planned and soon the audience coordinator than it sounds, as Peter Lassally and I signals for the audience to file in.