Craig Ferguson To Step Down As Host Of 'The Late Late Show'

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Craig Ferguson announced Monday that he will step down as the host of CBS' "The Late Late Show."

Ferguson broke the news to his studio audience during the taping of the show, which will air Monday at 12:35 a.m. on CBS2.

"Before we begin the show tonight, I'd like to make a special announcement. There's been some speculation in the press recently about the state of late night television, and who does what, and where they're going to be doing it. I want to address my position in all that because it's time," Ferguson said. "About two years ago, I had decided that after eight years of doing the show that it was probably time for me to move on and do something else. And CBS came to me at that time and said, 'Well, you can hang around and we can give you a fancy new studio, and a podium for your gay robot skeleton, and a stable for your horse, and an invisible band behind a curtain. We'll give you all the trappings of late night television.' And I said, 'Okay.' So I stayed for another two years. But that two years is up. At the end of this year, I will be stepping down."

His last airdate will be sometime in December.

"CBS and I are not getting divorced, we are 'consciously uncoupling,' but we will still spend holidays together and share custody of the fake horse and robot skeleton, both of whom we love very much," Ferguson said in a statement.

Nina Tassler, the chairman of CBS Entertainment, said Ferguson's creative talents will be greatly missed.

"During his 10 years as host, Craig has elevated CBS to new creative and competitive heights at 12:30," she said. "He infused the broadcast with tremendous energy, unique comedy, insightful interviews and some of the most heartfelt monologues seen on television."

Tassler added, "Craig's versatile talents as a writer, producer, actor and comedian speak to his great days ahead. While we'll miss Craig and can't thank him enough for his contributions to both the show and the network, we respect his decision to move on, and we look forward to celebrating his final broadcasts during the next eight months."

Ferguson will now look to hosting the syndicated game show "Celebrity Name Game," along with developing television projects.

"Late Show" host David Letterman also recently announced that he would be signing off his popular late night talk show. He will be replaced by comedian Stephen Colbert.