The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
| 30 March 1999 (USA)
SEASON & EPISODES
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  • Reviews
    Karry Best movie of this year hands down!
    Raetsonwe Redundant and unnecessary.
    SanEat A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."
    Kaydan Christian A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
    DeanNYC Craig Kilborn seems to have a habit of taking a job, putting his style to it and then moving on to something new. He did it on ESPN's "Sportscenter." He did it again at Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," and he did it with this, his CBS Late Night talk fest.To really understand what went on with this program, you have to know the history. Go back to the remarkable HBO series, "The Larry Sanders Show," where Garry Shandling played a self-absorbed emcee. At a crucial point, the fictional Sanders was looking for someone to host a program after his and the name he came up with was Tom Snyder. In a "life imitates art" moment, David Letterman brought Snyder in to host "The Late Late Show." Where Snyder was innovative and cutting-edge in the 1970s and 80s, his delivery and selection of guests for the late 90s were more conducive to a mid morning deadly dull radio program, and people were quick to tune out.Meanwhile, Kilborn was building a reputation as an amusing character, doing interviews on "The Daily Show" and introducing his "Five Questions" quiz of guest celebrities there. When it was time to replace Snyder, Letterman plucked Kilborn from his Comedy Central job and installed him at the 12:30am slot. Craig's arrival at CBS may have surprised some, but it was clear that he was ready for this next step in his career. In early 1999, Kilborn signed on, with almost no fanfare whatsoever.The critics didn't seem to get what Kilborn was attempting to do with the genre at first, and branded him a smarmy frat boy early on in his run. He was, in fact, probably the most underrated host in the history of late night television.His set looked like an erudite bachelor's lair, with wood tones, a fully stocked bookcase, overstuffed and distressed warm leather chairs, a bar cart and a sound system where he could play the stylish music of Sergio Mendes, Antonio Carlos Jobim or sample the hits of a performer on the program. There was also a "windowseat," to which he brought several female guests to do some canoodling, most famously, Catherine Zeta-Jones.When he was not figuratively or literally kissing up to his guests, the host of the show was clearly trying to do something a little different from other late night talkers. His affirmational concepts including his catchphrase, "Proud of you," were a constant, and he had a metrosexual air, even before that term became part of the vernacular. His attempt to bring back the Ascot was only one in a series of style choices, and he was typically well groomed, keeping a hand mirror as one of the props on his over-sized Bavarian Oak desk.His heroes were the stars of Old Hollywood and 1960s teevee, and many made semi-regular appearances on the program. His "Tuesdays With Buddy" segment featured Borscht Belt favorite Buddy Hackett. Adam West, William Shatner and Merv Griffin all paid visits, and his final show featured a taped segment with famed producer Robert Evans. Also notable were the seemingly never ending parade of supermodels and starlets that visited, which gave Kilborn a chance to show off his boyish charm and Midwestern homespun manners.Perhaps the most historic moment for the show came when, with the sponsorship help of Coca-Cola, they took the program on the road to the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four in 2003. A week in New Orleans was the first and only road trip for the program, and featured a segment where the modest Kilborn wandered around the French Quarter imploring women to keep their tops on, and permitted him the opportunity to show off some of his basketball prowess, since he was a member of his college team.Kilborn had a taste of success with acting during the run of the program, including a well-received appearance in the big screen "slob" comedy "Old School," and that might have sealed the show's fate. He realized that he wanted to do something more, and hosting the program meant he would be tied to that desk, unable to continue to grow. He shocked many people (including some CBS execs and industry insiders) by leaving the program on August 27, 2004, a decision that was only made public a few weeks before his departure.Many of the show's staff remained in place through the guest host trials that followed Kilborn's exit, and many stayed on for the program's ensuing incarnation: "The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson."
    marknyc I was a huge fan of Kilborn when he hosted "The Daily Show" - his spot-on impersonation of a pompous anchor meshed perfectly with the dumb-as-a-doorknob "correspondents" on the show. In fact, I initially disliked his replacement, Jon Stewart, because he didn't play a character, as Craig had.But when Craig essentially brought that same character to The Late Late Show, I was skeptical. You can't be a snotty talk-show host - it just doesn't fit. Still, I watched because of Craig. But then I began noticing the that the show was shamefully pandering to TV's favorite audience: 18-34 year old males. It seemed like every joke, every guest, every bit, was designed to appeal to that group alone. Soon the humor got stale and I found myself forgetting to tune in. Eventually, I stopped watching altogether.At the same time, Jon Stewart elevated "The Daily Show" to a pinnacle of social and political satire and commentary, something unseen since "That Was The Week That Was." And Craig disappeared. It's too bad for him that he left the spot that he was perfectly suited for, but good for us, since Stewart has created an entirely new, and better, show.Good luck, Craig, wherever you are - next time I hope you'll drop the pandering in favor of pushing the envelope, as you did on "The Daily Show."
    LoveKilborn I love "The late late show with Craig Kilborn" I only found about it not too long ago, but ever since then, I never miss he's show. He always manages to put a huge smile on my face every night and all of his jokes are witty and funny. On the other hand, I hate the Conan O'Brien show, because he always and always makes such a bad joke and it's not even funny.. besides, Craig is far more better looking than Conan and much more enjoyable. Conan's jokes are lame, and boring, and he's intro of the show is too long.. I don't understand why people would choose Conan over funny, witty, and better looking Craig Kilborn.
    carbocookie Although this show does have it's moments, the jokes are for the most part predictable, and the comedy segments are not anywhere near as funny as what you'll see on Conan O'Brien, which is on at the same time. I recommend for late night television is that you watch Letterman followed by Conan.