Craig's Makeover, Part 2

Craig Ferguson is adjusting nicely to the new format of his program.

At first he experimented with a new feature titles "What Will We Learn on the Show Tonight, Craig?" - a takeoff on his nightly wrap-up "What Did We Learn on the Show Tonight, Craig?"

What Will We Learn looked very much like it was taped after the guests had left the show - and it ruined the surprise of some of the wild tangents Ferguson's stream-of-consciousness monologues are prone to follow.

He's since fixed the issue.

This week the show had what amounts to a cold open, in which Ferguson drops a couple of old standbys from his monologue - like celebrity birthdays and a nibble from the headlines. He cracks himself up a few times, then tells us who his guests are going to be - after the break.

I love David Letterman, but I can't wait for Craig to get a shot at Dave's timeslot. He is simply brilliant.

Craig Gets a Makeover

So they've tweaked TEH LATE LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON. Again.

Monday, following a week long run of encores telecasts, the program opened with something new - a full screen graphic featuring an owl and a "What Will We Learn on the Show Tonight, Craig?" jingle.

Ferguson then did two minutes whilst hiding his upper lip and the piddly excuse for a mustache he had grown over the weekend. Don't get me wrong - it was hilarious.

What I found not so funny was this - CBS has tweaked Ferguson's show format again.

After his two minute teaser, we were treated to a sponsor billboard and three minutes of commercials - followed by the official open of the program.

Just a bit screwy, if you ask me. I couldn't tell if the rest of the show had fewer breaks, longer segments or what - but it contained about 45 minutes of the wackiest comedy about mustaches I had ever personally witnessed.

The commercial break included some local spots, so it looks like it might be an attempt to move those spots into a more favorable, higher viewed part of the show - but it really gets in the way of the flow of the show.

Do not like.

As for Ferguson himself, things got even sillier Tuesday. His mustache (Rudy) pretty much took over the show, and yet Ferguson seemed to grow bored with the concept as the show continued on.

By Wednesday, Craig had shaved and the silliness was about other stuff - but just as silly.

If you've never stayed up late for Craig, program your electronic TV show recording devices and give it a shot. It doesn't matter what time of day or night you watch - it's laugh out loud silly stuff.

Did I mention it's silly?

Silly enough to make me look forward to the day when Letterman retires and Ferguson gets to step up to the 10:35 slot.