Craig Ferguson Tapped for White House Correspondents Dinner
Host of CBS’ The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson to Follow in Footsteps of Rich Little, Stephen Colbert
By Alex Weprin -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/5/2008 6:49:00 AM
Craig Ferguson, host of CBS’ The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, was tapped to perform at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner.
Ferguson announced the appearance during his show Monday night, saying, “As soon as I became an American I thought, you know what is going to happen, I am going to get jury duty or the CIA is going to get in touch and get me to assassinate a foreign state or something like that. Something boring. Anyway, my first job as an American citizen, I can exclusively reveal tonight, is performing at the White House Correspondents' Dinner this year. I’m doing it! I’m not hosting, President Bush hosts it. There is a big fancy party in DC. It is like the Oscars for politicians where you cry and thank your agent."
White House press secretary Dana Perino confirmed that Ferguson would perform at the event at Tuesday morning’s press briefing. Ferguson, who passed his U.S. citizenship test last month, will be sworn in as a citizen in a few weeks.
“Craig Ferguson is a fresh take on late night TV," said White House Correspondents Association President Ann Compton in announcing the choice. "He is a new U.S. citizen, a first time uncommitted voter, and someone who has looked at American politics from the outside. I am looking forward to his unique take on our system."
A popular comedian is usually tasked with hosting the event, often making jabs at the president and the press corps. At the 2006 dinner, Stephen Colbert hosted in character, playing the conservative pundit alter-ego he normally plays on his show. The jokes he made were considered much more controversial than previous hosts, and the video of his appearance became a sensation online.
In 2007, comedian and impressionist Rich Little hosted the event. Little told The Washington Post: “One of the reasons why they picked me is because I'm not controversial … They did get some flak about the guy they had last year. I don't think they wanted someone political or controversial again.”
The 2008 White House Correspondents Association Dinner will be held April 26 in Washington, D.C.
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Way to go Craig at the White house corespondance dinner. I'm so glad they chose you. You make us laugh and we watched it twice."It is agreat day for America',to have you makes us laugh.
Lucy Luoma - 4/30/2008 7:09:00 PM EDT -
I watched Craig's performance at the dinner. It was wonderful to watch him get in some artful jabs above the belt, while still being able to dodge offending the powers surrounding him.
For me, the most moving and stirring comments came at the end when he put away his rehearsed jokes and spoke from the heart, where his patriotism is so genuine it shames most of us born Americans. While he looked directly at the audience of journalist assembled, he reminded them of their sacred trust NOT to AGREE, but that to disagree with one another is exactly what America is about.
It received a rousing round of applause and well deserved standing ovation. Unfortunately, in the reports of the dinner which followed the next day, over 35 papers ran stories covering the event, in which all but TWO of them said exactly the same thing (B&C being one of them and the Washington Post the other.) Not even a word was changed in any of the reports!! Now in school, we used to call that plagerism, but I guess when you're a journalist you can call it news.
Christan Hummel - 4/27/2008 4:27:00 PM EDT -
I love Craig Ferguson, and I rarely miss his show. He is the best looking and funniest man on TV. I hope he takes Letterman's place when Letterman retires.
Mary Nix - 4/19/2008 9:59:00 PM EDT -
I absolutely adore Craig, although I'm not sure how the White House will sit with his brand of humor! I'm sure he'll have fun, regardless of what anyone else will think. And btw, why "take that, Britain"? He's not British, he Scottish. Big difference.
Lego Vasavouchi - 2/7/2008 2:03:00 AM EST -
Ha, nice. I don't like his show but he's a funny guy and now America has him. TAKE THAT BRITAIN. MUhahahaha.
Stephen Absalom - 2/6/2008 8:04:00 AM EST
Craig Beats Conan!?
02/15/2008Give Emmys to Craig
09/26/2008
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