What Happened to Craig Ferguson?
Craig Ferguson is a Scottish-American comedian, actor, writer, and television host, best known for hosting "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" from 2005 to 2014. Since then, he has continued his diverse career, hosting game shows, launching a podcast, and starring in new television series, while also actively touring with his stand-up comedy.
Quick Answer
Craig Ferguson remains active in entertainment as of June 2026, currently hosting the game show "Scrabble" on The CW Network, which premiered in early 2026. He also launched a new CNN Original Series, "Craig Ferguson: American On Purpose," which debuted on May 30, 2026. Additionally, Ferguson is on his "Pants on Fire" stand-up comedy tour across the United States and Europe, though his podcast "Joy" concluded its weekly run in March 2026 to allow him more time for writing.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Begins Hosting The Late Late Show
Craig Ferguson takes over as the host of CBS's "The Late Late Show," where he would gain widespread acclaim for his unconventional and often unscripted style.
Becomes a U.S. Citizen
Ferguson, originally from Scotland, becomes a naturalized citizen of the United States. This experience later inspired his memoir and a CNN series.
Publishes "American on Purpose" and Wins Peabody Award
His memoir, "American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot," becomes a New York Times bestseller. He also wins a Peabody Award for his interview with Archbishop Desmond Tutu on "The Late Late Show."
Departs The Late Late Show
Craig Ferguson hosts his final episode of "The Late Late Show," concluding a successful ten-year run.
Begins Hosting Celebrity Name Game
Ferguson starts hosting the syndicated game show "Celebrity Name Game," for which he would win two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host.
Hosts Join or Die with Craig Ferguson
He hosts the historical discussion show "Join or Die with Craig Ferguson" on the History Channel.
Publishes "Riding the Elephant"
Ferguson releases his third book, "Riding the Elephant: A Memoir of Altercations, Humiliations, Hallucinations & Observations."
Hosts The Hustler
He begins hosting the game show "The Hustler" on ABC, which aired for two seasons.
Launches "Joy" Podcast
Ferguson starts his own podcast, "Joy," distributed by iHeartMedia, offering a free-associative and guest-free format.
Announced as Host of Scrabble
Ferguson is announced as the new host for the game show "Scrabble" on The CW Network, with its premiere scheduled for early 2026.
Scrabble Premieres on The CW
Craig Ferguson's tenure as host of the game show "Scrabble" officially begins on The CW Network.
Joy Podcast Series Finale
Ferguson announces the conclusion of the weekly "Joy" podcast, stating a desire to focus more on writing and other creative projects.
CNN Series "American On Purpose" Premieres
His new CNN Original Series, "Craig Ferguson: American On Purpose," a five-episode journey exploring American identity, debuts.
Continues "Pants on Fire" Stand-Up Tour
As of today, Craig Ferguson is actively performing on his "Pants on Fire" stand-up comedy tour, with dates scheduled across the U.S. and Europe.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
After concluding his highly successful run as host of "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" in December 2014, Craig Ferguson embarked on a multifaceted career path, diversifying his roles across television, stand-up comedy, and digital media. His departure from late-night television marked a significant turning point, allowing him to explore new creative avenues beyond the daily grind of a talk show.
Following "The Late Late Show," Ferguson hosted the syndicated game show "Celebrity Name Game" from 2014 to 2017, earning two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host. He also ventured into historical commentary with "Join or Die with Craig Ferguson" on the History Channel in 2016. In 2021, he hosted the ABC game show "The Hustler," which ran for two seasons before its cancellation in April 2022.
Ferguson continued to engage audiences through audio, launching his podcast "Joy" on iHeartMedia in August 2023. The podcast featured his unique, free-associative style, often without guests, focusing on his singular worldview. However, in a notable development, Ferguson announced the "Series Finale" of the weekly "Joy" podcast on March 10, 2026, citing a need to create more space for writing and other creative endeavors.
In 2023, Sony Pictures Television announced a new half-hour syndicated late-night talk show, "Channel Surf with Craig Ferguson," but as of September 2025, it had not been picked up by broadcasters and had not aired. Despite this, Ferguson quickly secured new television projects. In May 2025, he was announced as the new host of the classic game show "Scrabble" on The CW Network, with his first episodes broadcasting in early 2026.
Adding to his 2026 television slate, Ferguson premiered a new CNN Original Series titled "Craig Ferguson: American On Purpose" on May 30, 2026. This five-episode series explores the meaning of being American through humor, history, and personal reflection, timed to America's 250th anniversary. Concurrently, Ferguson is actively touring with his stand-up comedy show, the "Pants on Fire" tour, with confirmed dates across major U.S. cities and Europe throughout 2026. This blend of hosting duties, stand-up, and documentary work demonstrates Ferguson's continued evolution as an entertainer, maintaining a strong presence in the industry by pursuing projects that align with his distinctive comedic and intellectual style. As of June 21, 2026, he remains a prominent figure in entertainment, balancing live performances with new television ventures.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Craig Ferguson made different choices?