Late Show UK

David Letterman looks set to renew his deal at CBS to keep him with the network through 2014. If this new CBS deal were to go through he would surpass his idol Johnny Carson’s 30-year run on late night TV.

The New York Times reports “according to executives who have been involved in discussions with Mr. Letterman’s production company, Worldwide Pants, a deal to remain on the air until 2014 is imminent. The executives said that CBS had authorized the company to make new agreements with the key members of Mr. Letterman’s staff, his producers and writers”.

It was thought Letterman would step down from the Late Show when his current contract runs out in August this year, but he’s made indications to people on the show that he wants to stay hosting the programme for a while longer.

Craig Ferguson, who hosts the Late Late Show every night following the Late Show, is also thought to be staying with CBS. The Drum says “The Scottish Daily Mail reports that Ferguson, who already earns more than £8million a year, could be involved in a ‘double the money’ multi-million pound deal”.

Ferguson would have to be happy staying in the 12.35am timeslot until 2014 though if he decides to stay at CBS hosting the Late Late Show. Also, there’s the possibility that Letterman changes his mind and leaves in August 2012 after all.

The New York Times reports Craig “does have a clause in his contract that would guarantee him the 11:35 show if Mr. Letterman chose to step down”.

The New York Times – “Deal Would Lead Letterman to a Late-Night Milestone”

Craig Ferguson is reportedly “in talks” to bring his popular late night CBS talk show the Late Late Show to Scotland for a week later this year.

According to The Daily Record “he has told friends he’s keen to return to Scotland in March and record a week’s worth of material at the place where it all began. He has enlisted the help of Fringe comedy impresario Karen Koren and contacted Tommy Sheppard at The Stand Comedy Club about appearing for a few dates this year”.

An insider told The Daily Record “he may record five shows here in a row around March with the possibility of a further few gigs at the Edinburgh Festival later in the year”.

The Daily Record – “Craig Ferguson to bring his hit US chat show to Scotland”

Ratings for the Late Show With David Letterman and the Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson are topping the NBC late night talk show competition, according to the latest stats released by Nielsen.

TV By The Numbers reports the Late Show “posted its largest audience since the week ending April 8, 2011, and its best adults 18-49 rating since the week ending Feb. 4, 2011, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings for the week ending Nov. 18, 2011″.

They also say the Late Show “delivered 3.580m viewers, up +9% in viewers (from 3.30m), compared to the same week last year… up +18% in adults 25-54 (1.3/05 from 1.1/05) and +25% in adults 18-49 (1.0/04 from 0.8/03), compared to the same week last year”.

The Late Late Show “delivered a 1.3/04 in households with 1.71m viewers, up +3% in viewers (from 1.67m) compared to the same week last year… up +17% in adults 25-54 (0.7/04 from 0.6/04), and +20% in adults 18-49 (0.6/03 from 0.5/03), compared to the same week last year”.

TV By The Numbers – “‘Late Show with David Letterman’ delivers…”

Terrorist threats have been made to David Letterman and Craig Ferguson over the past week.

David Letterman was threatened by radical Islamists for a joke he made on the Late Show. The Washington Times reports “David Letterman had a fatwa issued against him by jihadists for having the nerve to make a joke about a jihadist. The edict required that as a Jew, his tongue should be cut out for speaking blasphemy. Mr. Letterman is not Jewish, but Radical Islamists never let facts interfere with fatwas”.

Letterman has beefed up security at the Ed Sullivan Theatre where the Late Show is taped in New York City but has since joked about the threat saying “everybody knows it’s Leno” and did a special segment showing everyone who “hates” Dave. He also said “a radical extremist threatened to cut my tongue out… I wish I had a nickel for every time a guy has threatened… I think the first time was during the Academy Awards”.

Craig Ferguson also had a scare himself this week when an envelope of white powder arrived in the mail at the Late Late Show from overseas. The Los Angeles Times reports “the powder was purported to be anthrax but later proved to be harmless”.

Ferguson joked about his threat saying “In the old days if someone sent me white powder I’d have said ‘Yeah’… I’d have snorted it, ended up at a party at Elton John’s house or rehab or both… but nowadays white powder in the mail is bad… this is the most attention this show has gotten since… this is the most attention this show has gotten”.

The Washington Times – “Radical Islamists target Zionist Infidel David Letterman”
Starpulse.com – “David Letterman Blames Jay Leno For Terrorist Threats”
Los Angeles Times – “Late Night: Craig Ferguson calls anthrax scare frightening”

Craig Ferguson was a guest on the Late Show this week.

He was promoting the episodes of the Late Late Show that he filmed in France earlier this year.

Those Paris shows will air on CBS next week.

During the Late Show interview Craig and Dave also talked about the London shows Dave did several years ago.

Craig Ferguson discussed the News Corporation phone hacking scandal in one of his opening monologues on the Late Late Show this week. Watch below:

This video has since been removed from the CBS website.

Craig Ferguson is bringing the Late Late Show to France for one week only.

The American-Scot will record a week’s worth of shows in Paris next week which will then be broadcast on CBS in America in August.

Craig stirred up speculation on Twitter prior to the announcement saying “Time to shake this s**t up a little. Big announcement on the show tonight”.

The Late Late Show has much less overheads than other talk shows making it easier for them to pack up and move to France for a week – they don’t have a house band for example.

TV Guide – “Craig Ferguson to Take Late Late Show Overseas”