Craig Ferguson: Funny In Print

Debut Novel Has Wild Cast Of Characters

(CBS)  Craig Ferguson has won over the late-night television crowd, and now he is dipping his toe into the literary waters. The host of "The Late Late Show" on CBS is out with his debut novel, "Between the Bridge and the River." It's a comic story with an eclectic cast of characters, and it takes a dig at just about everyone.

Ferguson joined The Early Show on Friday to talk about the book and joked about the loss of sleep. "I went to bed a couple of times in the '80s. It's overrated. I wouldn't do it again," he told co-anchor Rene Syler. "You don't need it. You know, later on, when I'm in the retirement community I'll do that."

"Between the Bridge and the River" tells the story of two childhood friends from Scotland and two illegitimate half-brothers from the American South who endure a series of bizarre experiences which turn out to be strangely meaningful. Ferguson said it was a story he had to get out, and writing a book gave him freedom he wouldn't have on the air.

"You're a guest in someone's house when you're on TV, so you've got to be, you know, polite," he said. "But you write a book, it's your house. You can say what you like."

While there may be some constraints on what he can say on TV, Ferguson still loves hosting "The Late Late Show," he told Syler. "It's a very good job and I get to sit down. I have my corner office," he joked. "You know what I love about it? I love the fact that I can go out every night and talk about whatever is on my mind and have some fun with it."

"The Late Late Show" airs weeknights on CBS at 12:35 a.m. ET/PT.

To read an excerpt from "Between the Bridge and the River," click here.