Craig Ferguson Skips Late-Night Wars For Haiti, Slams “Dumb, Mean” Rush Limbaugh

[Tuesday Afternoon]

How can you joke about Haiti? You can’t — it’s far too sad and awful, and the mere mention of it puts everything else — Conan vs. Jay, Game Change — in perspective as tiny and unimportant. So I have noticed its absence from the late-night shows this past week, especially Conan O’Brien and Jay Leno, and understood it, though a urging to donation from these people to their audience of millions would have been nice. There’s always tonight.

But for Craig Ferguson that was last night — because last night, he gave the late-night wars a miss in favor of talking about Haiti, and urging his audience to donate:

I’m looking at all this trouble in late-night, with Jay over there and Conan over there, and which middle-aged white guys is gonna get X million dollars at what point and I’m thinking to myself….I am getting embarrassed… I’m starting to feel like an AIG executive. So I’m not going to talk about that so much tonight. There’s an actual real news story going on.

Ferguson called the situation in Haiti “horrifying” and “one of the worst natural disasters apparently in recorded history,” and then encouraged his audience to donate: “Give a dollar -whatever you can give.”

But just because you’re getting serious about addressing a terrible catastrophe doesn’t mean you can’t find the comedic gold. Comedy is, let’s recall, often about taking down people who deserve it — and last night, Ferguson was trained on Rush Limbaugh.

Ferguson cited Limbaugh’s appalling comments about Haiti, quoting Rush as saying “We already donated to Haiti – it’s called U.S. income tax. The Obama administration is using this to burnish their credibility with the black community in this country – it’s made to order for them.” Said Ferguson: “That’s a dumb thing to say. A dumb, mean thing to say.” But Ferguson, ever the chipper Scotsman, had a solution:

Here’s a way to take the sting off of that, Rush: A million dollars of your money to the Red Cross, and we’ll say no more of that.

Damn good advice (and it would work for Leno and Tiger Woods, too).

They he urged donations, again, posting Red Cross information and the text donation info (text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10): “Let’s do that, and let’s not worry about what middle-aged white guy in a tie is going to be telling jokes to a camera at what time of night, ’cause frankly who gives a .” Craig Ferguson FTW.

link:
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/craig-ferguson-skips-late-night-wars-for-haiti-slams-dumb-mean-rush-limbaugh/

[SidDithers]

1. Thanks for posting that...

I really like Craig Ferguson. He did a very heartfelt monologue about Britney Spears a few years ago too, about her strange behaviours and substance abuse, and his own history of substance abuse.

K&R

Edit: for those who've never seen it, here's the monologue that made me a fan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bbaRyDLMvA

Sid

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. thanks for the K&R

I think that Craig is a class act.

[Richardo]

2. WTG, Craig.

:applause:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

5. yes. way to go Craig

:applause:

Richardo :hi:

[niyad]

3. good for him--I have only caught a minute or two of his program ever, but that was good.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

6. I think Craig's show is the best.

He is a funny, funny man :)

[Ready4Change]

9. I agree.

I like Leno, find Conan seriously annoying, and haven't yet formed an opinion of Fallon.

But Ferguson has been a guilty pleasure. With the other hosts I get the feeling the guests end their appearance thinking 'Well, that's over with now.' But with Ferguson I wouldn't be shocked to hear that everyone hangs out after the show for a while.

[eppur_se_muova]

10. Ferguson is the host you'd most like to hang out with for sure.

Let's just don't ever choose a President that way. :)

[CreekDog]

19. When Betty White was a guest on his show, I could have watched for hours

between the two of them? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Ready4Change]

28. Betty White is a trip.

My sister has met her on several occasions, and says she's much more fun than you might ever expect.

Not surprised she and Ferguson getting together was a hoot. Both have that mischievous twinkle in their eyes.

[gimama]

48. .. " i ..KNOW!"!! nt

[PSzymeczek]

35. I'd like to read Craig's book

"American on Purpose". It's about his naturalization.

[madinmaryland]

7. Tiger Woods donated $3 million.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. Yes, He did.

:applause: Tiger!

:hi: madinmaryland


Russell Simmons reveals Tiger Woods donates 3 million dollars to support Wyclef Jean's Yele foundation to create a mobile hospital for Haitian earthquake victims.

Disgraced golfer Tiger Woods is set to rescue his good name by donating $3 million to Wyclef Jean's Yele foundation in an effort to create a mobile hospital in Haiti, according to rap mogul Russell Simmons. The Def Jam co-founder tells the New York Daily News Woods is considering the weighty donation that would help send doctors and supplies to Haiti to deal with the aftermath of a 7.3 earthquake which hit the nation on Tuesday, January 12.

The rap icon says, "Tiger Woods is working on sending a mobile hospital with 50 EMTs to go set up a triage." Simmons has called on all celebrities to join the relief effort.

Woods is believed to be in hiding in South Africa after taking a hiatus following allegations he cheated on his wife Elin Nordegren with a string of mistresses.

link:
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/w0000381.html

[Bucky]

12. "...is set to rescue his good name by donating $3 million..."

This is the first I've heard of it. If he's doing this just for the publicity, he's doing a lousy job of it. I don't really see a reason why this writer should assume he's donating $3million "to rescue his good name."

[CreekDog]

20. well if he gives 3 million to rescue his good name, he could do a lot worse

:shrug:

[malletgirl02]

41. Tiger Woods

It looks like he gave more money than some corporations. Well, he is actually kind of like his own company.

[Maru Kitteh]

21. Wow. Didn't know that. Good for him!

[omega minimo]

11. Love Craig. Good solution for Limbaugh.

[alfredo]

13. Craig is becoming my favorite of late night entertainment.

It's always a great opening when he does his lipsyncing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYdlZtqrdcM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4phHwSSing&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gof5Y72HTx4&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-synov6gKU&feature=related

[Jennicut]

14. He rocks. I wish he were on earlier.

[alfredo]

15. Look on hulu or on his site, they may show his episodes.

[progressoid]

29. Holy crap - I didn't realize he did so many of those

I just spent another twenty minutes on youtube!

[alfredo]

30. I love wavy the alligator.

[valerief]

38. I love his Aquaman. nt

[alfredo]

46. His Prince Charles is brutal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if9nNvoNwlM

[valerief]

47. Oh, I forgot about that! He's fabulous as Charles!!! nt

[alfredo]

53. When he gets serious, he's focused like a laser beam.

[gimama]

51. "whutado?!"

:hi:

[alfredo]

54. You cheeky monkey.

[gimama]

55. "oooh-la-LA!" ;) nt

[alfredo]

56. That is not the Spanish word of the day.

[gimama]

57. Aye, CARUMBA!

I was just thinkin' that!

"hey-HEY!":hi:

and the precious lil KITTY gets NO shout-outs?

[alfredo]

58. Isn't that a car wax? Wavy ate him.

[The Midway Rebel]

16. I'm gald he is American on purpose! eom

[redwitch]

42. "American on purpose"

I love that!

[LeftinOH]

17. Ferguson is an American patriot; I want him to be the king of late-night.

[CreekDog]

18. He's one of my favorites, not just for his humor, but for his class

:applause:

[Uncle Joe]

22. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Tuesday Afternoon.:thumbsup:

[GCP]

23. I love that guy

I bought his book, "American by Choice" and I realy enjoyed it. He's a real person and I hope he goes on to bigger and bigger things.

[KittyWampus]

34. I'd do him the honor of calling him a mensch!

:)

[Missy Vixen]

24. I love Craig Ferguson, too

I might add that Conan O'Brien mentioned last night that Ben Stiller's foundation, Stiller Strong, founded to help fund education for the kids of Haiti, is now focusing all their resources on Haitian earthquake relief.

He also made sure to put the website graphic up, and to urge his viewers to donate.

[Bluenorthwest]

25. I love Craig Ferguson

He's fucking hilarious. I am particularly fond of two films he wrote and stars in 'The Big Tease' and 'Saving Grace' which are both available on Netflix to you at this very moment. Twist one and pop in 'Grace'.

[FourScore]

32. I didn't know about his films.

I'll check them out.

I love him, too.

[Shallah Kali]

33. Saving Grace made me laugh until I cried

No more Mr. Cuddly Toy!

[KT2000]

26. Love Craig Ferguson!

You never know what he is going to riff on and it is always funny.
My favorite though was his disco dancing in his suit with the
"village people look-a-likes" Wanted to wake everyone up to see it.

[MrCoffee]

27. Seriously, now, if Craig really is a DUer, it's time to fess up

Come get your laurel wreath, man!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

43. I wonder ....

could it be ........ :D

[gimama]

52. Watching Tues or Wed nite, I said out LOUD

to the teeveee, " Craig's been on the DU!"
I forget what he'd said, I think it was about late-nite host-mess,
but it was almost verbatim what some DUer CF-fans had posted.

Now WHO?! is the DUer aka Craig Ferguson?
:woohoo: "hey-HEY!"

[PatrynXX]

31. Sounds like craig...

The one honest late night show host out there. He was the only one that got miffed about the Britney Spears brewhaha.


And if Rush comes back at "he's an immigrant" thing. Hey he did it the hard way. The legal way. So sure he knows what we shouldn't do and Rush really needs to rethink his media tweaks.

[MuseRider]

36. For a long time I did not think

I liked him much then I was stuck for 8 months with only a few channels on my TV. I love the guy! Not only is he hysterical and makes me laugh over and over again whenever I catch his show he seems to be a genuine wonderful person.

No one ever really knows unless you are personally acquainted with someone but he always seems to do the humane thing, the kind thing and seems very genuine and open. It sounds like he has done it again. He has to be a great guy as well as very talented.

Thanks Craig, once again you show people what it is to be a true humanitarian.

[valerief]

37. Ferguson is terrific. This is wonderful. nt

[Hekate]

39. Aw, Craig. I'm sorry I missed that. He is a #1 Good Guy with heart, that he is. KnRnTY!

[pleah]

40. K&R

[njlib]

44. I caught the Haiti show, too

I watch him every night and think he's the best of the bunch! Sometimes I wish he'd be on earlier, but I don't think he could get away with all of the "ooh la la" moments at an earlier time.

His monologue about Haiti & Limbaugh was great. His monologue on 9/11 was also great, talking about how he always opens with "It's a great day for America, everybody" and how it didn't seem appropriate to say on that day. Just like with Haiti, he was serious, thoughtful and truthful, without being too heavy, preachy or political. He really knows how to strike that perfect balance.

I'm also a big fan of his lip synching bits...and his Betty White bits...and the puppets...and his self-deprecating humor! I'm sure CBS doesn't appreciate it when he goes on about the cold, crappy studio with the leaky roof and bad lighting, but I think they realize what they have in him and know they'd be stupid to try to put a lid on him!

HE'S the kind of late night, in my opinion, and I hope he's around for a very long time!

[CBHagman]

45. Thanks for posting that.

I think, though, he ought not to use the term gentleman to refer to Limbaugh!

And of course Ferguson has in the past talked about recovery, which is something Limbaugh definitely needs to hear.

[gimama]

49. Thank YOU for posting this..

He is amazingly quirky & funny, AND KIND,too!
LOVE me some HIM.
"hey-HEY!"

[Call Me Wesley]

50. Love the guy.

Just finished reading his new book. He's true and honest, and that's a lot. Way lot. And he has this nasty accent, even he's learning Spanish right now flying his Cessna.

Hey Craig, if you read this, 'Bing Hitler' was the worst name ever invited. :P