Atlantic City Weekly

Ferguson during his last Atlantic City appearance.

Photo by Tom Briglia

Over the last few months, most of the late night television attention has been paid to either Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien or David Letterman. But don’t forget about a charismatic humorist, who hosts The Late, Late Show on CBS following Letterman.

There are many common denominators which connect the top dogs of late night TV. What helps Ferguson, an easy-going Scottish comic-actor, is that there is no one else like him.

“I’m just me out there,” Ferguson tells Atlantic City Weekly. “I don’t follow what anyone else does. I think that helps me.”

Part of Ferguson’s charm is that he delivers jokes in a manner that’s practically good- natured. “I’m just having fun doing what I do,” Ferguson says. “I don’t think I come off as mean spirited.”

Ferguson’s targets can usually take his assaults and he avoids easy prey.

“I’ll let other people go on and on about Paris Hilton and those like her,” Ferguson says. “There are other things for me to go on about. That’s too simple now.”

Self-deprecating humor is a Ferguson specialty. Ferguson often pokes at his bout with alcoholism, two divorces and his standing in the late night chatfest world.

“I’m comfortable taking shots at myself,” Ferguson says. “Unfortunately poking fun at yourself is a lost art. It’s funnier than the big penis jokes. I do have my share of penis jokes, but there is something about poking at yourself. There’s something about being vulnerable up there. I think people can relate to the personal jabs. We’re not perfect. We’re all just human. Sometimes things don’t work out and sometimes what doesn’t work out is funny.”

Ferguson, 48, who will perform Friday, July 9, at the Tropicana Showroom in Atlantic City, hits the road as often as he can when he’s not on the set, much like his late night talk show host peer Leno.

“Being a stand-up comic is who I am,” Ferguson says. “I love doing it. It remains a great deal of fun. I’m fortunate that I can do [stand-up concerts] and the show.”

You can expect quite a bit of improv from Ferguson onstage whether he’s at a theater or while doing his monologue on The Late Late Show.

“It’s not surprising if you do improv at a theater, but it surprises people that I do it on my television show,” Ferguson says. “It’s not the usual way to go. But it’s more natural for me to go this way. I didn’t start out this way, but I really enjoy it. You never know where I’m going to go.”

The man, who has made the phrase “cheeky monkey,” part of the late night television lexicon, enjoys returning to the Garden State since, if he has time, Ferguson visits Kearney, N.J.

“I often drive there since it’s like a little Scotland,” Ferguson says. “It’s filled with all of these Scottish things. I go there and remember why I left Scotland. It’s just funny there is a place like that in New Jersey. Crazy world, isn’t it?”

Perhaps Ferguson would still be in Scotland if his career in music took off during the 1980s. Ferguson was the drummer for the Glaswegian act, the Dreamboys.

“If that band took off, who knows what would have happened,” Ferguson says. “The more I think about it, I’d be dead if I stayed in a band. I would have died in the late ’80s or early ’90s. Fortunately, I was a total failure as a musician.”

But Ferguson’s ear is still good and he often breaks musicians before any of his peers.

“I think it’s fun to have great musicians on before anyone else does,” Ferguson says. “I remember having [fellow Scot] Paolo Nutini on I think before anyone else. It’s exciting helping break talent.”

Ferguson’s favorite guest is a bit of a surprise.

“You know who was great? Sir Ben Kingsley,” he says. “He was a lot of fun. He was fantastic. He did a sketch and had a laugh. Sam Jackson is a great guest too.”

Having fine guests makes it easy for Ferguson. However, he’s at his best when subjects are dull or difficult.

“That’s part of the job,” Ferguson says. “That’s a challenge. I’ll tell you what makes for a great or good guest. Someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously. Someone who doesn’t mention their book 20 times. Nobody wants to hear Healthy Salads for Large Asses 20 times. The audience heard it. They got the message.”

Ferguson has that rare Johnny Carson-esque gift, which is to shine a light on his guests, rather than race them to the punchline.

“That’s the key to being a good talk show host. It’s like hosting a party. You want to make sure everyone has a good time.”

The clever Ferguson stays as topical as he can on television and on tour.

“Sometimes it’s easy and some days you have to work a little harder,” Ferguson explains. “When Dick Cheney shot his lawyer in the face, it was like, ‘well, there’s the show tonight.’ It’s a lot of fun checking out what’s happening in the news. Normally every day there is a good bit to work with. I try to make sure it’s fun for the studio and television audience.”

The same can be said for those who check out Ferguson’s live stand-up show.

“It’s all about having fun,” Ferguson says. “It doesn’t make a difference if you watch my [TV] show or if you come to see me live. I want everyone to laugh and have a good time.”

Craig Ferguson
When: Friday, July 9, 9pm
Where: Tropicana Showroom
How Much: $55, $65 and $75