Finally, after two weeks aboard the out-of-control Britney and Anna Nicole Express to Crazytown, a voice of reason. On Monday, Late Late Show host Craig Ferguson swore off jokes about the pop princess in a poignant yet still humorous monologue that began with a Kevin Costner anecdote but evolved into something much more significant. Announcing that he was doing something "a little different," he launching into a topic that had been "bothering" him for a while: making fun of celebs who clearly need help. "For me, comedy should have a certain amount of joy in it," Ferguson said. "It should be about attacking the powerful — the politicians, the Trumps, the blowhards — going after them. We shouldn’t be attacking the vulnerable."
Admitting that Sunday was also the anniversary of his fifteenth year sober, the usually genial Scot then told a story about his lowest moment — the night he decided to commit suicide, before being rescued, ironically, by his need to "self-medicate" with alcohol — and tied his message up with a semi-joke: help is "easy to find; right there near the front of the phone book." Earnest and upbeat, like he was during his similarly-toned eulogy for his father last year, Ferguson wasn’t at all condescending, cracked jokes only at his own expense, and got his message across. And if I sound gushy, well, it’s probably because I am (though how much of my mini-crush has to do with his accent is another story). As we are now, willingly or not, participants of the 24-hour media circus, it’s always good to get a sobering reminder that there are more important things in life.
What say you, PopWatchers?
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My best friend and I were talking about this last night – how the media is litterally salivating over the most minute details of her downward spiral and who exactly is asking for this info. It is the same with the Anna Nicole coverage. The first day both of these stories were shocking for the grotesqueness of it all, but now we are the ones looking so pathetic. I am just as guilty as the rest, we all slow down at car wrecks. Funny no. Eyecatching yes. I applaud Craig for being the first to say enough.
It’s hard to feel sorry for someone who’s worth a few million dollars and who has created their own mess. No one told her to party with Paris, get hooked on whatever or even marry that loser Fedex.
Britney’s breakdown is sad, but she’s had many blown chances to make it right. She keeps leaving rehab, keeps doing crazy things, and should be taken on a far away secluded vacation with true friends and family.
However, most normal people who need help and who have breakdowns don’t have such options and no one ever seems to feel sorry for them. I’m not sure we should treat a spoiled princess like family, even if it feels like Shaudenfruede to do otherwise.
Besides, if we can’t kick celebs when they are down, how can we make ourselves feel better about our own pathetic lives? It’s not like Britney went broke, lost a limb or lost a child because of a tragic accident. She made the mess she’s in.
I really like Craig Ferguson. He has something that most celebrities, usually do not have, charm.
I’m so glad that someone is finally looking at this sad situation human being to human being. It is so painfully obvious that this young woman has gone beyond bad fashion choices and is suffering a mental breakdown. Good for Craig Ferguson for recognizing this, and for using his own life experience to get others to understand the reality of the situation. I wasn’t a fan before, but I am now.
Kudos to the man. That’s a seriously classy path to take.
Good man, Craig Ferguson. Good man.
I was watching on Monday night and I was very impressed by the monologue. The man has class, plain and simple. Good job Craig.
Wow. Just wow. Why does the voice of reason have to come from a man who does comedy so late at night, past my own bedtime? Verruh, verruh classy.
I say Scottish accents are the hottest ever, Craig Ferguson seems like a nice guy, and “Saving Grace” was hilarious.
First class all the way. Good for you Craig
Very classy.
Of course he’s a good man. Classy, but still comical. Not a lot of him around in the late-night comedy realm. And, is it just me? Or is he even MORE cute than John Stewart? Is it possible? I think so…
A kind voice in a cruel manipulative moment in our culture. I am guilty of reading the trash gossip blogs and daily admonish myself for what I am-a contributor to this sad sad time.
Thanks Craig
I am impressed. I hope others will do the same.
Thanks to Stephanie Travitsky for alerting us PopWatchers to Craig’s monologue on Tuesday!
And yes, his eulogy for his father was brilliant. Not a dry eye in the house, but we were also laughing. He’s a master monologuist, and a fetching Sean Connery.
Is there something about NOT being an American that makes a person intelligent? When I watch Craig’s monologues, which are literate, refer to poetry and the classics, and use big words, I wonder how he stays on the air. I’m sure his studio audiences understand only about a half of his references.
But wasn’t it classy how he handled the audience’s kneejerk laughter about Britney? He really worked that crowd.
We’re lucky to have such a smart, intelligent, mature, and kind man in American media – now if we could only import some more!
Bravo to Craig. Great stuff
Britney’s back in rehab! I mean, bravo, Craig!
Just a couple weeks ago, I celebrated my 4th anniversary in sobriety. I have heard many stories like Craig’s in meetings, and I found his monologue simultaneously entertaining and moving. Addiction is a disease. Some people have it, some people don’t. And like he said, treatment of disease is the responsibility of the sick person. Kudos to him for rising above and for sharing his personal experience in such a public arena. I can only hope that his message at least scraped the subconscious of many who needed to hear it. When I had no strength to stand up on my own, the collective strength of the other people in recovery community is what got me back on my feet. So glad he’s spreading the word.
Craig was interviewed Wednesday on the CBS Early Show and mentioned how it’s amazing that not making fun of someone is news! I’m so glad that he’s bringing some class back to the celebrity landscape. He’s a true wit and a fantastic entertainer.
This is a great start. Unfortunately, I don’t see this attitude extending to include the “vulnerable” we see during our daily lives. We just have so much disdain for those people but celebs always have a special place in our heart. Americans are the most compassionate people in the world, but only selectively it seems. Let’s hope one day we can care about each other as much as we care about celebrities…in good times and bad.
Are you joking? A wire story from Monday about what jokes Craig Ferguson won’t tell? Is this really the best you could come up with?
I agree. I don’t talk about Brit anymore because it’s so obvious that she needs help.
If any of you have HBO On Demand, check out Craig’s appearance on “Real Time with Bill Maher” from last week. He has such a humanistic point of view.
The Next Shaw Report:
In: Feeling sorry for Britney
Out: hatin’ on Britney
Five Minutes ago: Listening to Britney’s music
I’ve always liked Craig, and it is COOL that he drew the line there. I’d love for him to bash Dick Cheney some more; far better target.
One of a handful of people in the media these days with Class.
A class act, all the way.
This man has been the best thing on late-night TV since his first show; anyone who saw his tribute to his dad knows that. The fact that everyone else in the entertainment industry is astonished about his Britney comments just proves how far above that cesspool he is, in so many ways. Thank God for him.
He’s the best.. now if only the others would learn a thing or two from him. The networks should be more responsible with their actions.. they shouldn’t allow the comedians to make fun of people who clearly need help. Look at what happened to Anna Nicole. Craig Ferguson is the best! I’ll always support him.
I caught the tail end of his speech and I thought is was wonderful. I find myself watching him more and more lately. He is very funny. I am glad he took a position and a positive one at that. I felt like -Is is me or is Brittney crashing right in front of our very eyes? I wish the photogs would back off her and let her get better. She is going through a lot and does not deserve to be hounded by the media the way she is. I still have not figured out whey we as Americans feel a need to know such personal things about our celebs, it sucks.