Did anyone see The Late Late Show last night? All I have to say about it is... wow. Craig Ferguson
used the show to pay tribute to his father, Robert Ferguson, who died on Sunday. Dressed in a black suit and tie, Craig
opened the show with a monologue that was moving, emotional, and funny all at the same time. In it, he gave the audience
memories of his rough-and-tumble dad, who worked in the Post Office back in Craig's native Scotland, talking about his
relationship with him and how his passing has affected him. From time to time, Ferguson had to catch himself as he
reminisced; he got especially emotional when he described an affectionate gesture his dad gave on his deathbed, one
that he hadn't done since Craig was a kid. It was moving, fascinating television.Then Craig had Dr. Drew Pinsky on to talk about the loss of a parent and pay further tribute. The interview -- what I saw of it, since it was getting late -- was not at all hokey or inappropriate; Dr. Drew was able to get Craig to open up a little more and was able to relate his emotions to ones that everyone feels when they lose a loved one. Again, it was fascinating to watch.
But I didn't see who was on after Dr. Drew. Can anyone who watched it let me know what happened after that?
Video of the monologue, by the way, is at the CBS web site.












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-31-2006 @ 2:34PM
Walt said...
yeah... You missed the band. Four guys in kilts... missed the name... One bagpipe, two drummers, and one giant horn blower. Excellent Scottish wake music. At the end of the show, they did another number and Craig was up there banging on the drums, too.
Amy Yasbeck followed Drew. I didn't know why until she started talking with Craig. She was perfect to get him out of the funk of the first half of the show.
Overall, excellent. And yes, when Craig got to the part about the gesture by his dad, it brought a tear to my eye as well.
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1-31-2006 @ 3:18PM
Bob said...
This was great great television. Ferguson is becoming the new gold standard for late night. I cried a couple of times - I guess since I'd lost my Dad not so long ago. This show brought to mind the emotional wallop that Letterman achieved on his first show back after 9/11.
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1-31-2006 @ 3:22PM
shawn s said...
the band was called the Wicked Tinkers, and they were AWESOME!
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1-31-2006 @ 4:12PM
Meesh said...
I'm SO glad someone else saw this! I even remember thinking, "god I hope someone at TVsquad saw this and documented it"
I NEVER watch that show, but for some reason tuned in last night.
It was such a beautiful, heartbreaking thing to watch. Having lost my father, I empathized deeply with Craig, and his need to just talk about him.
My best friend's father died this weekend as well. Her dad was a wonderful man whom I've called "Dad" the entire 20 or so years I've known him. (I actually struggled to think of his first name when telling someone about it.) Watching this show was very cathartic for me.
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1-31-2006 @ 4:46PM
Jan I said...
This tribute is the most touching and real I've ever seen - a valuable lesson in how to grieve.
I've been watching for 3-4 months now, and am amazed at how wonderfully delivered is each night's monologue.
If Letterman is smart, he'll put Craig on in primetime immediately!
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1-31-2006 @ 5:09PM
Darla said...
I watched last night's show...I'm a regular viewer and IMDb poster, where Craig has a family of fans who consider themselves part of his Clan. I and many others there really felt Craig's loss, all the more because of his sincerity and openness. The most mentioned part of the show on IMDb is his dad putting his hand on Craig's head...this brought not just tears but sobs to many, male and female alike. Everyone was thinking about there own dads, no matter whether they were alive or passed on. Many people found one thing that Craig said that reminded them of their own dad...for me it was the whistling. My dad used to be a wonderful whistler...he's still with us, but fights for every breath because of severe asthma and emphysyma, and can no longer whistle.
I didn't think it was possible for my respect and admiration for Craig to increase...I already regarded him very highly. But last night moved Craig to a new level in many viewers eyes. He demonstrated, without it being his goal, yet another way that he is different from the crowd. Craig is not a personality...he's a person.
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1-31-2006 @ 5:25PM
Christine said...
Thank you, Craig, for letting us into your heart and sharing your loss with us last night.
All of us in late-night tv-land feel honored to have learned more about you and the special people in your life….I know you helped me understand my father better. Thank you.
You are such a class act and your father must be so proud. Smart. successful, sober...compassionate, cheeky and despite the grief, enjoying life…who could possibly want anything more for a son?
Keep banging that drum, Craig. Big hugs.
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1-31-2006 @ 6:21PM
Ashlynn said...
It was an honor to have Craig open up and share his emotions with us and I applaud him for doing that. I'm sure that took a lot of courage. The entire family is in my thoughts and prayers.
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1-31-2006 @ 6:49PM
Kathryn Jane said...
I as well found Craig's eulogy to his dad to be most moving. My dad's passing in April of 2002 and my mom's passing in September of 2003 left a big hole in my heart that can never be filled. Craig's remembrance of his dad brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat and opened wounds experienced by my mom's and dad's passing. I was so touched by Craig's description of his dad putting his hand on his head to show his affection. My dad also had difficulty demonstrating his love and affection for us four kids, but he, too, provided for us well and was always there for us whenever we got into any "scrapes". As Dr. Drew said, "Your dad will never be gone; he will always be with you." It is so. Not a day goes by that I don't think of my mom and dad, pray for them, and tell them how much I love them. I gave the eulogy for each of them at their funeral services and I never have said goodbye - only that they would live forever in heart and I would see them in my dreams. I am unwavering in my faith that I will be with them again one day. I hope Craig, too, can find such faith and peace...
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1-31-2006 @ 8:47PM
gigglechick said...
i thought that it was fantastic. in my opinion, next to letterman, he's the best host out there. i was choking back tears and it was killing me that i couldn't give him a hug.
after dr. drew, he had amy yazbeck on (the late ritter's wife) and it was pretty moving...
then he wound up drumming with the wicked tinkers (CF was a drummer way back in the day)
but i am glad that he did the show last night... i think that sometimes people need to see that.
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1-31-2006 @ 9:50PM
Jim said...
I just watched the episode on TiVo. A point of clarification: The "giant horn" played by a member of Wicked Tinkers was a didjideroo. Appropriately, the second tune they played was called "Highland Laddie."
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1-31-2006 @ 10:28PM
Paul said...
This was one of the greatest moments of television I've ever seen. Absolutely mesmerizing, and deeply moving. My heart goes out (and my hat comes off) to Craig.
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1-31-2006 @ 10:57PM
Maleea said...
It was a very moving show, he was so brave to share those emotion with us. He says he isn't one to show his emotions, well last night he did. He is a wonderful man, very funny, sexy, comfortable in his own skin and make his guest feel the same way.
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2-01-2006 @ 12:27AM
Lacey said...
I am an avid Craig fan. I watch it every single night, even when it's a repeat or I have to work in the morning.
And last night's episode absolutely blew me away.
His monologue was so moving. In 5 minutes or so, he really did make me cry, and he made me laugh and all in all, it was an amazing tribute to his father.
And I wanted to mention something that hasn't been mentioned yet.
When Craig was talking about his dad, he kept saying how we didn't know him. And when Dr. Drew came out he mentioned that, and said that through Craig talking about him, we all got to know him a little bit.
And I felt that that was so true.
It was an amazing episode, and, I also feel that it was a real bonding episode for Craig and his fans, we got a deeper look into his life, got to share his pain, and some (including myself) even shed some tears for Craig and his father.
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2-01-2006 @ 12:35AM
FP said...
It was so amazing.
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2-01-2006 @ 12:40AM
Bill ( Drewe ) White said...
I am Scottish, born in Glasgow in 1933, the same height as Graig's Dad. I had tears for most of the show, I know his Dad would be looking down and very proud of a son which I am sure caused him many sleepless night in the past. Craig said he may joke about Scotland but he is proud to be Scottish. Watching his show last night made me very proud to be Scottish too. Craig I feel your loss. I watch every night and will continue to do so. Yours aye.
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2-01-2006 @ 12:56AM
John said...
If Dave Letterman is for smart people, then Craig Ferguson is for emotionally-smart people. Anyone doubting that should check out last night's episode. I've been trying to describe this wonderful, deeply moving show to all of my "normal hours" family and friends all day. I described it as one of the few "real" moments I've ever seen on TV outside of the news or other live event. It was an actual wake, in the old sense of the word (especially in that, as a recorded show, it will "live" forever). Craig broke my heart, too, as he talked about his Dad, but the follow-ups with Dr. Drew (a thoughtful therapist specializing in emotional response) and Amy Y. (the funny and charming widow of gone-too-soon John Ritter) took us all along with Craig through the full range of emotions that he was feeling. I can only rememeber one other on-air personality who was able to move me by so intimately sharing themselves, warts and all, with viewers like this; Oprah. And that's saying something. By the time Craig got to the drumming, I felt the, well...the power of the act of joining a group of fellow Scots in traditional music, linking himself, and his father, to the history of his homeland. My sympathy to Mr. Ferguson and his family.
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2-01-2006 @ 1:30AM
Donna said...
I also watch Craig's late show every night. I was so emotional last night while he told us about his Dad.He is such a candid person...I just love that young man. What courage he has to go on with his show at such a trying time. My heart is breaking for him as I feel his pain.I too have lost a loved one to cancer in 2004, a 38yr. old son. God Bless, Craig, and be strong.
Donna
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2-01-2006 @ 2:44AM
Art said...
Heartfelt, beautiful, honest and unaffected. I can't remember in my 60 years seeing more moving television. Craig expressed for us all the indescribable bonds between a father and son, perhaps made all the more powerful by not being overly articulated. Thank you Craig for being genuine.
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2-01-2006 @ 3:08AM
linda said...
Absolutely beautiful and moving show. I have always liked his show, and wondered why it was in repeats last week. Then to see him last night in a tie, I thought at first, is this another repeat, but then he talked about his father. I cried so many times, but smiled many times too. I rarely see show, that was so moving and had such an impact on me. Craig is truely an admirable person, honest and with real emotions and experiences. Too bad there weren't more like him in "Hollywood". ;) My condolences to him and his family, and best wishes for happiness in the future.
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