Scottish actor Craig Ferguson selected as CBS `Late Late Show' host

NEW YORK (AP) _ Scottish actor Craig Ferguson, who played the boss for many years on ``The Drew Carey Show,'' will be the new host of CBS' ``Late Late Show.'' <br/><br/>A formal announcement

Tuesday, December 7th 2004, 10:34 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Scottish actor Craig Ferguson, who played the boss for many years on ``The Drew Carey Show,'' will be the new host of CBS' ``Late Late Show.''

A formal announcement was expected Tuesday, according to two executives close to CBS who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Ferguson passed through a gauntlet of on-air tryouts set up by Worldwide Pants, David Letterman's production company. He was one of four finalists with actor Michael Ian Black, comedian D.L. Hughley and MTV ``Total Request Live'' host Damien Fahey.

He replaces Craig Kilborn, who announced in August that he was leaving the 12:30 a.m. talk show after five years. The ``Late Late Show'' trails the time slot leader, NBC's ``Late Night'' with Conan O'Brien, in the ratings.

Ferguson's Scottish burr at least brings a different sound to late-night television. He was endorsed by New York Daily News critic David Bianculli, who said in a column printed Tuesday that Ferguson ``just kept getting more and more comfortable, and showed more range, humor and originality than any of the others.''

Ferguson, 42, wrote and produced the 2000 film ``Saving Grace.'' He was a top comic in Britain before moving to Los Angeles in 1995.