The Runny Pen

Host of “The Late, Late Show” Craig Ferguson’s memoir might seem a little premature. He’s only had a Hollywood career for 15 years or so. But then again, that’s a long career in Hollywood terms. The book is somewhat original as far as the drugs&alcohol/crash&burn/resurrection memoir goes in that he doesn’t really whine or blame anyone. He holds his folks in high-esteem. He likes his ex-wives. He was the product of a two-parent household and the only child who became an addict which helps dispel the myth that addiction is environmentally rooted. There’s a good chance of a genetic component to this thing.

He spends a little too much time on his childhood in Scotland, but I may have felt this way because I had no idea who Craig Ferguson was before reading this book (my sister sent it to me). And that being said, it speaks to the story’s quality that I kept reading. Ferguson found his way onto the comedy circuit performing under the name Bing Hitler and the book is strongest when detailing these early years as a struggling comic in Glasgow and London. Drugs, alcohol and female pursuits dominate his attention and the humor and tragedy of these times makes for a ripe read. Anyone who spends his time making people laugh and drumming in a punk rock band can’t be all bad.

I read the jacket cover so I knew Ferguson eventually found massive commercial success (why else would his memoir deserve publishing) and that makes the dark, struggling years of an artist more interesting than a guy who gave up and became a welder. There’s a humble tone within the pages of this book and it feels sincere. After a teenage trip with his father to meet cousins in America, Ferguson’s firm gaze fixed itself upon the land of the free. His unwavering passion for our country makes you feel grateful to be an American. There is no pandering here, the man worked hard to get where he is and when he bitches, he doesn’t blame ‘the trappings of celebrity’ he simply states that he has always been a malcontent. Three marriages later, you take his word on that one.

His story lacks the biting, completely original writing of Carrie Fisher’s same-genre memoir, but I still laughed. Ferguson writes with a pedestrian, self-deprecating humor whereas Fisher’s book does the same but is overflowing with brilliant lines like ‘instant gratification takes too long’. What “American On Purpose” lacks in brilliance it makes up for in candor. Though it can’t compete with “Postcards From The Edge” that doesn’t mean it isn’t an entertaining read, it just means there won’t be a movie adaptation.

After researching YouTube and the net, I’ve learned that Ferguson has a devout following. His unscripted honest-style monologue developed while he struggled delivering traditional, Carson-ish jokes about current events. Work equated love in his family, and though he traveled to see his Mom often at the end of her battle with cancer, he was on a return flight from Scotland to LA when she passed. At his family’s insistence but with much reluctance he went on the air the night of her death (she would’ve wanted it that way) and decided to risk an unrehearsed approach by eulogizing his Mom. He spoke in a manner that both disarmed and addicted audiences to his monologue which has become the staple of his show ever since.

I watched “The Late, Late Show” once at the end of the 90’s when (beyond arrogant) Craig Kilborn hosted and I couldn’t stand the guy so I never tuned in again. I liked Ferguson and since reading his book I’ve watched the show twice. I’m not going to lie, it isn’t my thing. But I don’t like much mainstream television so that shouldn’t keep you from giving it a try. And if you’re a rabid fan this book is mandatory. If you’re not a fan it’s still a juicy read. You have to admire the fact that the man has refreshed the exhausted format of the talk show genre.

YouTube the show he did regarding Britney Spears and listen to the uncomfortable audience laughs when they aren’t sure if he’s pulling their leg or being sincere. It turns out to be the latter. Imagine that, being honest with the audience. It is an approach that isn’t just revolutionary, it’s punk rock.