Late Late Show Host Craig Ferguson Is Glad His Show Ended Before Trump

Craig Ferguson, the former host of CBS’ “The Late Late Show,” recently shared on “Obsessed: The Podcast” that he was relieved to have left the late-night television scene before Donald Trump became president. Reflecting on how he might have handled the political climate, Ferguson admitted, “I don’t know how I would have handled it. I’m glad I didn’t have to, to be honest.”

Trump’s presidency brought about a contentious relationship between the administration and late-night hosts, particularly Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel, who frequently criticized Trump on their shows. Ferguson departed from “The Late Late Show” in 2014, just before Trump’s election in 2016. He revealed that he had considered leaving earlier but was enticed to stay with a better deal from CBS.

Discussing his approach to comedy, Ferguson emphasized the importance of timing and revealed that he never intended to align himself with the politically charged content of other late-night hosts. He recalled distancing himself from the political narrative on his show, stating, “I used to say on the show, ‘This is not a late-night talk show. I’m not a late-night talk show host.’”

Despite the evolving nature of his show, Ferguson maintained that his “Late Late Show” did not conform to the typical late-night talk show mold. He expressed that his experience during that period did not provide him with any special insight into the current or past late-night landscape.

In conclusion, Ferguson’s candid reflections on his time as a late-night host and his decision to step away before the rise of Trump shed light on the complexities of navigating the political and entertainment realms in the media industry. His unique perspective and unwavering commitment to his comedic style set him apart from his peers in the late-night television sphere.