I was on YouTube yesterday, and i came across Craig Kilborn's last Late Late Show on CBS. Again, at the end of it, like i did 7 or so years ago, i cried my eyes out at the final 5 minutes of it. When he turns around from dancing, and looks at his studio, and it's empty, and no ones there, and he walks out of his studio for the last time, it really hit me. I was always a big fan of Craig Kilborn and loved everything he did, to Daily Show to Late Late Show to The Kilborn File (LUCKY ENOUGH I LIVE RIGHT OUTSIDE OF BOSTON!!!) I was wondering if anybody else is missing the class that Craig Kilborn brough to Late Night and if anybody else would love to see him make a come back someday, weather its taking over for Dave or Jay, or starting his own show on Cable or FOX, anybody interested in seeing Kilborn come back Full Time to television???









And about the Kilborn File, i wonder why he didn't go to Paramount television and do a Late Night Show like Arsino Hall did successfully on syndication. i think many FOX, My Network television stations, CW television Stations, and many independent stations would have love to have him on. But he goes to twenth to do a tested Late Night style show after dinner time. What the Hell was the logic to that one!!!

I miss Kilborn. I liked Craig Ferguson when he first took over but he keeps doing the same few jokes over and over and that gets old very fast. also he's allowing his very liberal political views to permeate his comedy more and more and that makes his show difficult to watch. Craig Kilborn was just funny and like you said had class. Ferguson doesn't even know what class is much less have any!

I miss Kilborn. I liked Craig Ferguson when he first took over but he keeps doing the same few jokes over and over and that gets old very fast. also he's allowing his very liberal political views to permeate his comedy more and more and that makes his show difficult to watch. Craig Kilborn was just funny and like you said had class. Ferguson doesn't even know what class is much less have any!

I'm starting to think more and more of checking out Jimmy Fallon. Craig Ferguson does the same thing every night, Rambles On For 2 Minutes, Monologue, Emails, Crappy Unknown Guest, Crappy CBS Star Guest being forced on the show, End. Theres no Wow Factor to it. Craig Kilborn would come out every night and do something new, not the same old sketches day after day after day. He spiced things up and he always looked like he was enjoying the show and liking what he was doing. I think it was stupid for him to leave Late Late Show, and even more stupid for him to go to The Kilborn File. He can not hold a job for that long and i don't know why. He has the Daily Show for 4 or so years, he thinks thats too Low Class so he bails on the first time he gets to go to the Late Late Show for 5 years, and the minute he gets to renew his contract for a multi-year deal, he bails on CBS and leaves and abandons that show too. I don't kno what was in his new contract that he didn't agree with, but it must have been something big to leave that show and completely disappear from show bisnuess.

Does Anybody Know What Was In That Contract That Kilborn for some reason Didn't agree too???

Nope, never liked Kilborn a bit. Smarmy, self-impressed and so convinced he was the coolest thing around, I could never warm to him even a little bit. Never seemed like there was the slightest bit of sincerity there.

Sorry.

i cant stand kilborn so nope i dont miss him in the least

I liked Craig when he was on the Daily Show

Show of hands, how many kilbys would want him to replace that awful big jaw leno on the tonight show!!!!!

I'd like to see just about anyone replace Jay Leno.

As for Craig Kilborn, I enjoyed him on The Daily Show and The Late Late Show; I really did. But in both instances, he was replaced by someone far more talented and funnier -- both of whom took their shows to awesome new heights.

When Jon Stewart and Craig Ferguson replaced Craig Kilborn, it was like ordering from Pizza Hut all your life only to find out they've closed and been replaced by a New York-style pizzeria.

Oh, as for The Daily Show, he was only on for about 2.5 years, not 4 (Summer of 1996 through the end of 1998). Tension on the set was pretty high after he was suspended for making disparaging remarks about TDS co-creator Lizz Winstead in Esquire (late 1997).

"To be honest, Lizz does find me very attractive. If I wanted her to blow me, she would.

"Class," indeed. Winstead left the show over these remarks, never to return.

I'd like to see just about anyone replace Jay Leno.

As for Craig Kilborn, I enjoyed him on The Daily Show and The Late Late Show; I really did. But in both instances, he was replaced by someone far more talented and funnier -- both of whom took their shows to awesome new heights.

When Jon Stewart and Craig Ferguson replaced Craig Kilborn, it was like ordering from Pizza Hut all your life only to find out they've closed and been replaced by a New York-style pizzeria.

Oh, as for The Daily Show, he was only on for about 2.5 years, not 4 (Summer of 1996 through the end of 1998). Tension on the set was pretty high after he was suspended for making disparaging remarks about TDS co-creator Lizz Winstead in Esquire (late 1997).



"Class," indeed. Winstead left the show over these remarks, never to return.


How was the behind the scenes relationship with Kilborn and CBS??? Why did he leave Late Late Show???

I read about it in Bill Carter's book. I'll look it up tonight.

...that six week series Craig did for the Fox television stations last summer, "THE KILBORN FILE"? No? I do....in New York, it was on WNYW, weeknights at 7pm. And when the six weeks ended, the decision was made not to bring the series back in the fall because it didn't generate enough ratings or "buzz" to merit another season.

:tv:

I read about it in Bill Carter's book. I'll look it up tonight.

I read the book. I don't remember it saying much about Kilborn. The only vivid memory i have about it talking about Kilborn was when CBS said to Jimmy Kimmel that they would "talk" about giving him Kilborn's 12:35 show following Dave when he decided to leave. But besides that it didn't talk about kilborn at all i think...

...that six week series Craig did for the Fox television stations last summer, "THE KILBORN FILE"? No? I do....in New York, it was on WNYW, weeknights at 7pm. And when the six weeks ended, the decision was made not to bring the series back in the fall because it didn't generate enough ratings or "buzz" to merit another season.

:tv:

Does Kilborn have any existing deal with 20th Televison??? I think, personally, that if FOX Brodcasting wants to launch a late night series of their own, Kilbron's just the guy for the job to get one started hosted by HIM!!!! I would love to see him back at late night. He's a natural.

....a late night show would be out of the question, 'R.jsheedy'.

I also recall that Conan O'Brien was in negotiations with Fox to appear weeknights on their network after NBC showed him the door. That might have happened, had the affiliates agreed to it. They didn't- because the syndicated programming they schedule locally between 11pm and 12am(et) is too profitable for them to give up even a half-hour to carry a Fox network show. When Fox officially began network operations in 1986, they had no trouble convincing their local stations to schedule "THE LATE SHOW STARRING JOAN RIVERS" at 11pm(et) because that was their first daily network program (their "beachhead", so to speak)....and the first of several late night series to come and go from 1986 through '88. The last time the Fox stations carried anything nationally, Monday through Friday at 11pm, was "THE CHEVY CHASE SHOW" in the fall of 1993...all seven weeks of it. Since then, Fox stations usually air syndicated sitcom repeats at 11pm {"SEINFELD", "THE OFFICE", "THE SIMPSONS", et. al.}...and the revenue they get from those kind of shows overrides ANY attempt by Fox to convince them to carry another talk show at that hour, network or syndicated.

So Craig Kilborn would have to settle for a daytime or early evening time period- and considering the unsuccessful run of "THE KILBORN FILE" last summer, ther's not much chance of him doing that kind of show again for Fox, is there?

:tv:

I'd like to see just about anyone replace Jay Leno.

As for Craig Kilborn, I enjoyed him on The Daily Show and The Late Late Show; I really did. But in both instances, he was replaced by someone far more talented and funnier -- both of whom took their shows to awesome new heights.


I agree.
I liked Kilborn on The Daily Show -he was responsible for the show's inital success (along with the writers, of course).
But Jon Stewart put in on the map.

I read the book. I don't remember it saying much about Kilborn. The only vivid memory i have about it talking about Kilborn was when CBS said to Jimmy Kimmel that they would "talk" about giving him Kilborn's 12:35 show following Dave when he decided to leave. But besides that it didn't talk about kilborn at all i think...

You're right. The book also makes a fleeting reference to many at Worldwide Pants being "appalled" by the selection of Kilborn. Other than that, it doesn't give any "dirt" on his departure.

....a late night show would be out of the question, 'R.jsheedy'.

I also recall that Conan O'Brien was in negotiations with Fox to appear weeknights on their network after NBC showed him the door. That might have happened, had the affiliates agreed to it. They didn't- because the syndicated programming they schedule locally between 11pm and 12am(et) is too profitable for them to give up even a half-hour to carry a Fox network show. When Fox officially began network operations in 1986, they had no trouble convincing their local stations to schedule "THE LATE SHOW STARRING JOAN RIVERS" at 11pm(et) because that was their first daily network program (their "beachhead", so to speak)....and the first of several late night series to come and go from 1986 through '88. The last time the Fox stations carried anything nationally, Monday through Friday at 11pm, was "THE CHEVY CHASE SHOW" in the fall of 1993...all seven weeks of it. Since then, Fox stations usually air syndicated sitcom repeats at 11pm {"SEINFELD", "THE OFFICE", "THE SIMPSONS", et. al.}...and the revenue they get from those kind of shows overrides ANY attempt by Fox to convince them to carry another talk show at that hour, network or syndicated.

So Craig Kilborn would have to settle for a daytime or early evening time period- and considering the unsuccessful run of "THE KILBORN FILE" last summer, ther's not much chance of him doing that kind of show again for Fox, is there?

:tv:

How that works i don't know. i would think that the network would have more of a say than the affiliates. Jay Leno show failed because the local news where getting screwed at 11 because of the poor lead in from Leno. If Kilbron could get a show at 11 PM, give the locals an hour for news, and bring in ratings, than i think they should be happy.

The reason Kilbron failed in the summer is because i think that in the summer at 7 O'clock, because at 6:30, 7, 7:30, everybody's still out on the lake or by the ocean having a good time outside. If they did the test run in the middle of winter when at 6:30 it's pitch dark outside, i think Kilbron would have had more of a success... Where you inside watching TV at 7:00.... I wasn't most of the time. I lived in boston and never saw it as much as i wanted too. Saw it occasionally but not every night like how i'm catching conan.

If you remember from Carter's book, Fox had a clause in their contracts with their affiliates up until a few years ago stating that they HAD to air whatever Fox decided to program in late night (hence them clearing their schedules for The Chevy Chase Show in 1993). Now, the affiliates have final say in what's programmed after 10, and the sitcom reruns most of them air are a very lucrative commodity for them.

As mentioned above, Fox made overtures to Conan O'Brien after the Tonight Show mess last year. They were in talks for almost three months. It didn't get publicized at the time, but Fox actually rejected Conan (at the time, it was made to appear that Conan rejected Fox) a week before the TBS deal was made public simply because they couldn't make things work with their affiliates.

Why didn't FOX ever proceed with a late night show if they had the rights to do so untill a few years ago... i know before Jay Leno decided to go to 10, they tried to make a run at him as well.... Did they try to get anybody else for a late night show after chase???

FOX's best bet at this point is if CBS or NBC either can Ferguson or Fallon. Both hosts would definitely bring in a younger demographic. I don't see either getting their network's 11:30 slots when Jay and Dave retire. On the other hand, I love Fallon, and if NBC is going to keep preaching that the "18-49 demographic is all that matters" garbage, he might be their guy!

ferguson's show has became utter crap and seems to be getting worse all the time... Perfect for FOX!!!

Utter crap? Craig Ferguson? The same Craig Ferguson who won a Peabody last year? The same Craig Ferguson who was able to beat Conan in the ratings (Kilborn and Tom Snyder were never able to pull that off)? I guess it's all a matter of opinion.

I will say, though that I love Ferguson's show. I think he's funny, refreshing and unlike anything else in late night. The people seem to agree, too: I hear about Ferguson's Late Late Show a lot more than I did Kilborn's Late Late Show during its era.

can't stand Kilborn, never found him the least bit entertaining or funny.

I love Craig Ferguson though - he brings a lot out of his guests that you wouldn't get anywhere else and he is more spontaneous than anyone else, so what if he recycles some bits.

Agreed. I defy you to show me a late night talk show host (or any comedian, for that matter) who never recycled bits.

Ferguson is alright, but Kilborn era was much better.... Kilborn always seemed to have great guests on while half the time i don't know the guy kilborn has on. But this week ferguson had great shows so far.... Tina Fey Monday, Kathy Griffin Tuesday, Michael Clark Duncan Wednesday... Craig Ferguson is unique unlike anything else in late night. I do watch him instead of Fallon, i don't like Fallon as a late night host, i don't think he's natural. But Ferguson is loose and unique and he makes the show his own. It may be nothing like it in late night, sometimes it may seem he's babbling on like a idoit, but i do think he has talent.

Heres a good question...

Theres rumors on IMDB that he has a kid???...does anyone know if he is/was married or who the mother is?

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0452929/board/thread/6505400?p=1

Heres a good question...

Theres rumors on IMDB that he has a kid???...does anyone know if he is/was married or who the mother is?

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0452929/board/thread/6505400?p=1

He is married, and had a son within the last few months. He's mentioned it numerous times on the show, and I'm not even a regular viewer, haha! I don't think she is known...

If Craig Kilborn would come back, I wouldnt mind. He was funny on his show. I really dont have a perference with late night tv, but if Craig Kilborn ever had an opportunity to come back, I think he should come back. I mean I remember reading in the paper that Craig was going to leave and he did. Whats weird about it is that he disappeared after that. I didnt hear about him until I joined this board and heard about The Kilborn File.

He is married, and had a son within the last few months. He's mentioned it numerous times on the show, and I'm not even a regular viewer, haha! I don't think she is known...

KILBORN! i know Ferguson has a kid, and is happy married.... hes tweeted about his kid a lot too and mentioned it on his show a lot....

If Craig Kilborn would come back, I wouldnt mind. He was funny on his show. I really dont have a perference with late night tv, but if Craig Kilborn ever had an opportunity to come back, I think he should come back. I mean I remember reading in the paper that Craig was going to leave and he did. Whats weird about it is that he disappeared after that. I didnt hear about him until I joined this board and heard about The Kilborn File.

Thats what fascinates me about Kilborn and his departure from CBS... he completely dissapeared for 6 years. Had a few cameos in movies, but besides that, it was it.... No TV apparency, never went on any talk show, no paparazzi pictures in the magazines, nothing.... he just completely vanished. And the excuse he put out in June 2010, that he tough the late night time slot is getting crowded is such a lie.... he is the only one of 2 guys who's shows extend to 1:35 at night... it was him and Conan. he could never keep a job for too long either.... always moving to the next gig he could get.. i would love to meet kilborn and just have a conversation with him about it, what was going thrugh his head when he decided to leave CBS....