Brian in Mesa

Ferguson Gets 'Late Late' Nod at CBS

Tuesday, December 07

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com)

The producers of "The Late Late Show" seem to have a thing for hosts named Craig.

After two months of trying out a string of guest hosts, CBS and producer Worldwide Pants have decided to hand over the show to Craig Ferguson. He'll become the permanent host starting Monday, Jan. 3 (the show is currently in reruns).

"Craig is a smart, funny and versatile personality who we feel can build a following on late-night television," says Rob Burnett, president and CEO of Worldwide Pants. "This was a difficult decision to make among talented candidates, but Craig is clearly a gifted comic who will be an outstanding host of 'The Late Late Show.'"

Ferguson, best known for playing Drew Carey's petty-tyrant boss, Nigel Wick, on "The Drew Carey Show," was one of a string of guest hosts on "The Late Late Show" after Craig Kilborn unexpectedly quit in late August. Some 20 people, including Bonnie Hunt, Jason Alexander, Aisha Tyler and Tom Arnold, took turns behind the host's desk when the show began its new season in September.

In November, Ferguson, D.L. Hughley ("The Hughleys"), Michael Ian Black ("Ed") and MTV VJ Damian Fahey were named as finalists for the job; each got a longer stint as host.

In addition to his seven-year run on "The Drew Carey Show," Ferguson, a native of Scotland, has starred in the independent comedies "The Big Tease" and "Saving Grace," both of which he also wrote. He next appears in the big-budget feature "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events."

Worldwide Pants honcho David Letterman will have Ferguson as a guest on "The Late Show" Tuesday, Dec. 14.

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