Craig Ferguson's Emotional Boston Marathon Bombing Response is What We All Needed

by Julian Spivey
I might be unusual. But, I don’t just turn to late night television for laughs.
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Maybe it’s because I’ve always been a David Letterman fan and consider him to be one of my pop culture heroes, but I also turn to late night TV for some serious talk, politics and good conversation … something that Letterman has really revolutionized as part of a late night talk show. Just watch his response as the first late night show host on television after the 9/11 attacks and you’ll understand why he’s among the most admirable people on television.

The tragedy at yesterday’s Boston Marathon, which saw multiple deaths and over 100 hurt in two bombings was something that I knew would have to be approached on late night TV.

Unfortunately, Letterman (along with Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon) all aired repeats, as they were originally scheduled to do. However, Craig Ferguson, host of the CBS “Late, Late Show” did have a new episode Monday night and I knew he would take on the topic, because he had done so in the past with the Aurora, Colo. theater shooting, and I believe a few others, as well. Ferguson’s show is produced by Letterman and the Scottish host has followed in the late night vet’s footsteps very nicely when it comes to serious matters.

Ferguson began the show not with his typical comedy monologue, but with this statement:

“Hey everybody, good evening. Tonight's show is a little bit different. Obviously, the news of today is so horrendous that it would seem insensitive at best to say 'It's a great day for America,' so I won't be starting the show with that tonight.

Is anyone else sick of this s***? I seem to have to say that too often. People say to me 'Craig, your job is to make people laugh at the end of the day.' And I think, yes, that's true, but I've never professed to be any damn good at that. And, the thing is, people want their mind taken off it. And I think, well OK, if you want your mind taken off it, you know, watch a cartoon or a video or something. I understand it, it's perfectly acceptable. I don't think it's a terrible thing to not want to think about it, but I can't not think about it.

Also, I have a personal connection with the city of Boston. I have some history there. I have family there. When I became an American citizen in 2008, I spoke at Faneuil Hall on July 4, at the invitation of Tommy Menino who is the mayor of Boston, and one of the more colorful characters in American politics ... I've been there for the Fourth of July many times and every cop in Boston looks like I'm his brother. My first stand-up special in America, I shot it in Boston. I like that town. I'm appalled by this thing and when I watch it on these streets that I know, it's horrifying.

If I have all this inside of me, if I have all this rage and anger and distress and upset inside of me, I'm not a good enough comedian to hide all that from you.”  

Ferguson’s statement on the Boston Marathon bombings was highly classy and the most appropriate way I can think of to begin his episode. It also brings up a good conversation starter. Ferguson has a real good point when he says, “And, the thing is, people want their mind taken off it. And I think, well OK, if you want your mind taken off it, you know, watch a cartoon or a video or something. I understand it, it's perfectly acceptable. I don't think it's a terrible thing to not want to think about it, but I can't not think about it.”

I believe in situations like this people too frequently take their minds off of it or refuse to think about it. In my opinion, sweeping tragedies under the carpet like this is partially why they continue to happen. If you’re not thinking about it, because it’s not pretty or it’s too sad or depressing, then you’re also not doing anything to help put an end to meaningless tragedies like this one. We all need to think about it and even though Ferguson accepts that people might not want to, he knows what he’s doing when he brings up his feeling on the subject.

One of the great running things about Ferguson’s “Late, Late Show” is his 'It's a great day for America' line every night, because you can tell how proud the Scottish-born host is to be a naturalized citizen of the United States of America. He wears his patriotism like a badge of honor. Thus, when tragedies like the one at the Boston Marathon happen the emotion in his voice is 100 percent sincere and greatly appreciated by his viewers.

To answer Ferguson’s question from last night: “Is anyone else sick of this s***?”

Yes. Yes, we are. Now let’s all try to do something about it. In his own little way Ferguson is doing his part.