Craig Ferguson Refuses To Do Spears Jokes

Talk Show Host Who Battled Alcoholism Takes Heat Off Of "Vulnerable" Pop Star

(CBS/AP)  Craig Ferguson decided not to poke fun at Britney Spears, at least for now.

Ferguson, host of "The Late Late Show" on CBS, told viewers Monday that after seeing photos of the bald female pop star, he reconsidered making jokes at the expense of the "vulnerable."

"Tonight, no Britney Spears jokes. Here's why: The kind of weekend she had, she was checking in and out of rehab, shaving her head, getting tattoos. That's what she was doing this weekend," he said on his show. "This Sunday I was 15 years sober. I didn't do it for anyone else but myself. I did it because it was an act of conscience. I'm amazed that not poking fun of somebody has become a news story."

"For me, comedy should have a certain amount of joy in it," Ferguson said. "It should be about attacking the powerful — the politicians, the Trumps, the blowhards — going after them. We shouldn't be attacking the vulnerable."

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Photos: Britney Spears

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Ferguson said that other comics like David Letterman, Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel are free to do whatever jokes they want, but in light of Anna Nicole Smith's death, he said people should realize that addiction isn't a joke.

"I think there's an edit button missing somewhere," Ferguson told E! entertainment news anchor and The Early Show correspondent Giuliana DePandi. "I think that as a society, we should look it up every now and again. I think that society, there's something, kinda social, socially lacking … I won't do this show for demographics, I won't do it for viewers, I certainly won't do it for money, as it turns out, because I work for CBS, this is about doing something that I have fun doing and I believe in doing."

Ferguson said he doesn't know if Spears is an alcoholic, but she is clearly suffering.

"I don't want to talk about sick people like that," he said.

Spears made headlines over the weekend when she shaved her head at a Los Angeles hair salon and then went to a tattoo parlor where she had a pair of lips put on her wrist. The appearance came the same day as reports on TV and Web sites that Spears had briefly checked into a rehabilitation center.

Despite the media frenzy that is surrounding Spears' demise, Ferguson said fans are responding well to the stand he has taken.

"Thousands of e-mails have come pouring into CBS with people saying, 'Good job,' " he said. "I would have done it anyway, though. You have to understand this. The other side of this, for CBS, that you have to understand, is, if this was a less popular stance, I'd still be taking it."

[redisforever]

This is probably the only comedian that can make me cry and laugh at the same time. CBS should give the show a bigger budget and bring back his sound effects machine.

[mce227]

Craig Ferguson is to be commended for his understanding of our human frailties. It takes "guts" to stand for what is right, to admit your own weaknesses on publick t.v. or any where for that matter. His mother should be very proud of her son. Happy 15th birthday, Craig, and may you have many,many more.

[parisiana-2009]

In a society where empathy and compassion are often in short supply, it is heartening to know that Craig Ferguson truly is a "stand up" human being. He hasn't done done this for the accolades or for validation, but because it's the right thing to do. Shouldn't we all take a good look at ourselves in the mirror on a regular basis, and strive to do the same?
And CBS, do take note, you have a real treasure there!

[clocc88]

Go Craig Ferguson! I wish we had more entertainers with a heart and a mind. Some things just aren't funny and other people's horrors are an example. It's an easy laugh to kick when someone is down. It takes much more courage to forget the laughs and remind us of basic human civility.
God bless you, your honesty and your heart.

[hermit22]

Britney Spears probably went thru a psychological and emotional bashing when she got messed up with wuzzy boy Justin Timerlake.


Proverbs 14:10 No one else can know the depths of someone's sadness...."

[hermit22]

Craig Fergusson has a quick witted,extremely brillant mind which he completely WASTES by being a dirty old man.

Why all the gushing over him having "class" when he can make a simple trip to the produce aisle in the food store something crass and discusting?
10 seconds of that, and it was grab the remote and get him OFF the t.v.!

when he first came on the air, it seemed he would be an improvement on the evenings fare, but he quickly became a disappointment. sad.

[dmconnor1]

Craig - Sorry to say, this is the first time I've seen any part of your show - and your story brought tears to my eyes. I've actually just watched it for the second time. I'll be 22 years sober this April Fool's Day. I'm also a big 11th tradition nut, and when I realized what you were doing, it pissed me off a bit at first. But I've never seen anyone skirt the 11th tradition quite as deftly as you did, and you have my full approval. Thanks so much for your inspiring and heartfelt message. Wouldn't surprise me if you sent a few people looking in the front of the phone book.
Best regards,

Michael C.

[doberlin]

Way to go Craig - we'll hold you to "laying off the vulnerable"! Go after Trump, Shrub & Cheney, Rosie, Barker, etc. all you want! Appreciate your staying away from Britney, the whold Anna Nicole thing, and the like. There are many more inportant things that should be of our concern.

Love your show, how about getting Craig Kilborne back for an interview some time? After all, you say "nobody's watching anyhow"!

Dave
SF Bay Area

[setplay13]

Craig, I have to admit, your monologues ALWAYS make me cry (tears of laughter, that is)...but the one where you "came clean" on how we shouldn't "laugh at the vulnerable" touched me so much! It's nice to see public figures such as yourself (you're a STAR in MY book) can still have a heart. I love to laugh...but as you said "at what expense." And I think that's the thing we ALL need to ask ourselves. As I tell my children (most of them adults now)...if only ONE person is laughing when you "tease" someone, at THAT person is you...it's NOT A JOKE! Thank you for taking a public stand and revealing so much of yourself in the process. I KNOW you touched other alcoholics or recovering alcoholics (managing alcoholics, as you may call yourself). And YES, we all know one, many usually. My favorite Uncle Emmett, sweetes guy you'd ever want to know, died in his 40's because of complications due to alcoholism. I love you for what you said. You RAISED THE BAR for other celebraties and talk show hosts, as well. I can only hope they follow your lead.
Bravo, Craig..

Your Biggest Fan,
Sandy

[brucehaldane]

This is a very poignant, human and exceptionally insightful monologue. I respect him for revealing his own plight 15 years ago when he was vulnerable too. He cuts to the quick by highlighting that comediens today are spending too much time on the soft, easy targets and profiting from, and adding to, others' misery rather than vilifying those weilding their power irresponsibly who are damaging the country rather than just themselves. Craig is a great comedian, and so much more.

[brucehaldane]

This is a very poignant, human and exceptionally insightful monologue. I respect him for revealing his own plight 15 years ago when he was vulnerable too. He cuts to the quick by highlighting that comediens today are spending too much time on the soft, easy targets and profiting from, and adding to, others' misery rather than vilifying those weilding their power irresponsibly who are damaging the country rather than just themselves. Craig is a great comedian, and so much more.

[agnim]

"Craig Fergusan has class.

Posted by twiggy40 at 03:48 PM : Feb 22, 2007"

Yes, he has "class", "class" at the rehab. LOL

What we have here is a recovering addict looking out for another.

Without his rehab "class", and if he ever gets clean again, he'll just resort to 'being himself' AGAIN! LOL

[twiggy40]

Craig Fergusan has class. I personally wish there where more americans and people in the entertainment industry that would stand up and do what they think is right. He say's it is about looking in the mirror. Poking fun is great but there is something to be said for "kicking people when they are down and hurting" I appreciate his integrity and class.
I personally am embarrassed at our society today. It may be free, but our character and moral values are declining. This is of course my opinion.

[agnim]

Furgeson can't be that funny, never heard of him before this tear-jerking stance on behalf of his beloved addiction. LOL

If Britney shaking Spears has an addiction problem it is because the same attention she has craved over the years have done her in.

The media morons made fun of her husband over the few insignificant dollars he did not have, when all along he was helping to provide something Britney needed and which her millions of dollars can't buy -- STABILITY!

K-Fed may not have the million$; but K-Fed is not the one acting strange and in rehab!

The dollar worshipers in the media planted into Britney's air head the silliness that her dollars were more important than the K-Fed's presence!
This even when he's THE FATHER OF HER CHILDREN and who should be around for their well being.

[christinew5]

Great job Mr. Ferguson. I have only started watching your show within the past few weeks, and your refusal to stoop to everyone else's level has only made me a bigger fan of the show. I've been in recovery 12 1/2 years, and believe me,substance abuse/addiction is no laughing matter. Congrats on your 15 years as well.

[eileen811]

Good for you Craig Ferguson, for taking a stand and for speaking from your heart. My dad (who was very good natured)was an Alcoholic as well as several of my siblings and when my dad was trying to get sober too many people poked fun at him and us. It is not funny.

Thank you for being transparent - you will always be our favorite. You are REAL not fake and we love that about you!

We are praying for you!

[orchardbelle]

LOVE YOUR SHOW!!!! I applaud you for not tearing the little princess down. My ex-husband was an alcoholic, he since died from it, never even reached 50. Congrats to you, Happy Birthday!! We're all in this thing together....too bad others take delight in ripping apart another in the name of "entertainment" Keep up the good work, I watch faithfully every night.

[lana817-2009]

Thanks Craig for setting a stage of pure class for others to follow.

[tamarahs]

Bravo. I'm a big fan, and now an even bigger one who is not surprised at all at his stance. Congratulations on 15 years!

[cj7jeepstir]

Kudos to Craig Ferguson. We need more compassion and caring in our world, sometimes even for "celebrities." I've never been a fan of Spears, but I don't believe in kicking someone when they're down. She's never done anything to hurt anyone that I'm aware of.