Craig Ferguson "Mostly Not Worried" About Jimmy Fallon Competition (VIDEO)

CBS late-late night host Craig Ferguson discusses the looming threat of Jimmy Fallon on tonight's edition of "Conversations with Michael Eisner" on CNBC. In the interview, Ferguson says that he's "mostly not worried" about Fallon, who will be taking over for Conan O'Brien on March 2.

"I'll do what I do and see what happens," Ferguson told Eisner. "That's all I can do."

Of Fallon, Ferguson said, "He's a funny guy, he's personable, he's likable, and I think he'll do OK. I think he'll do alright. Am I worried about it? Nah. TV needs people who can talk on camera, so I'll have a job."

"Do I believe that you're not worried about it? I don't totally believe that 100 percent," Eisner responded.

"I don't know if I totally believe that 100 percent! But I mostly am not worried about it," Ferguson said. "In my best moments, I don't worry about it at all. And I think at 4:00 in the morning sometimes, maybe it frightens me.

"Oh no, his cuteness and personability will destroy me!" Ferguson said, simulating a nightmare.

The full interview — along with Eisner's conversations with Stan Lee and Penny Marshall — aired Tuesday at 9PM on CNBC. The show re-airs Sunday, February 22 at 10PM PT on CNBC.

Watch a clip below:

In December, Eisner announced that he would end production of the show in order to focus full-time on his company, Tornante. Tonight's interviews were "in the can" prior to that announcement.

Related: Craig Ferguson Defends Jimmy Fallon: "Give Him A Chance"

Comments

[dcrinaz]

Besides, who would have thought that Scottish people are funny? Thanks for breaking the stereotypes, Craig!

[dcrinaz]

Ferguson is a natural comedic genius. There is a naturalness to him, an honesty in which he does not have to try to be funny because he just is. His humor comes from having human experience, the ability to discern the irony in things, understanding suffering and joy and his own humanity. All great comedians had that quality. Comedy is not primarily about being funny; it is funny because it puts all the nonsense, silliness and the contrast between good and evil in the human condition into a context that makes us understand the truth of our own experience more clearly and honestly. Comedy is ultimately about truth and the best comedians are those who can channel it, like Letterman, Carson, Allen, etc. and yes, Craig Ferguson.

[Bettysdad]

I've set up a betting pool as to who will be able to keep Fallon on the longest.

[ameojeda]

Craig Ferguson is one funny and gorgeous man!! I adore his wit, charm, accent, animal noises but mostly his kindness and sincerity...you don't see that with other hosts. He's truly one of a kind...he's my late night king!!

[Lulubelle1]

No worries, Craig. No one on the air, or on the way, is as funny, spontaneous, and clever as you.

[ChiGuy]

I'm sure Fallon's a nice and talented guy. But thinking he can hold the numbers that O'Brien had? Not a prayer.

Watching Ferguson riff his monologue without a script or cue cards every night is the highlight of my day.
The man is clever and very smart.

[texastrixie]

Craig - don't worry. No contest.

[NoSillyName]

Craig is the best of anybody on late night EVER.

[lmvd3]

Agreed! By far!

[frant52]

Are you kidding? Craig Ferguson doesn't have to worry about any competition from Jimmy Fallon.
Craig Ferguson is the best late night host across the board! Letterman is next, but Ferguson is head and shoulders above any of the rest!

[cmonppl]

Craig doesn't have a worry in the world. He is well on his way to being the late-night king, if he isn't already (he is in my book). Here is a comic who can bring you to carefree bellylaughs in a nanosecond, and there is not a better way to head off to a restful night than that. If I were a doctor I would write prescriptions to my patients to watch him.

His demeanor since his recent marriage is even more delightful than ever, and his lovely wife looks like a dream-come-true, in many ways (and I am a straight woman! ;^D) ~ I am so happy for them. Craig's such a natural, that established comedians are sometimes intimidated by him ~ case in point, guest Bill Maher last night. As long as Ferg and Fallon avoid any word-wars, it will continue to be no contest.

All of you who feel that Craig is on too late to catch, just record it - or catch clips on you tube - CBS is smart enough to share. My favorites are when he has a fellow Scot on as a guest; look for those, too. I'm one of the fortunate ones on the west coast with an east coast feed, but I would set up regular recording if I had to. Love ya, Craig!

[shirleyfeeney]

Letterman used to be on after Johnny back in the day, so you're right--record him!

[anon004]

I don't watch Craig much because he's on too late and I wouldn't have the time to watch the TiVo. The only time I've seen him is when he has Hugh Laurie on. Hugh was born, raised, educated, and lived in England before House, but I think his ethnic background is Scottish. Craig Ferguson hands down does the best interviews of Hugh. They are both relaxed and hilarious and the interview at least feels somewhat spontaneous. If he's like this with other guests, he must be really good.

[mexamerican]

fallon has zilch talent. zilch.

[yorkie]

BOTH WILL BE BETTER THAN CONAN...WISH CRAIG KILBORN WOULD RETURN TO TV, HE WAS GOOD,,,WITTY, SMART,,,,,,,WE NEED REAL CONVERSATIONS AND WITTY GUESTS ON TV WITH TALENT,,,,,,,,CONAN IS TOO EAST COAST WACKY,,,NOT PLEASED THAT NBC HAVING TONIGHT SHOW BASED OUT OF LA,,,,,,THE WHOLE LATE NIGHT SHOWS NEED TO BE REVAMPED,,,,LOOK AT SUCCESS OF DAILY SHOW AND COLBERT REPORT....WE ALSO NEED TO HAVE REAL LIVE LATE NIGHT TOO AND AD SOME CULTURE IN AREAS OF BOTH MUSIC AND PERFORMERS AS GUESTS...LA DOES NOT HAVE WHAT NYC CAN OFFER,,,,THE NEW YORK YRS OF JOHNNY CARSON'S WERE PERHAPS HIS BEST,,,,IT WAS LIVE AND LIKE A REAL HIGH CLASS LOUNGE NIGHT CLUB,,,WITH NYC'S LITERARY AND POLITICAL PEOPLE ON AND COMICS, SINGERS ETC,,,,,,

[OswegoKayaker]

I still miss Craig Kilborn too. He was really different.

[Giada]

I am mostly not worried about Craig who proselytizes for 12 step groups. He can hang his hat with Beck anytime.

[makeanimpact]

I live on the west coast, so I get to watch Letterman at 8:35 on an east coast station and then Ferguson at 9:35. More recently though, I just tivo them both, watch their first 10-15 minutes, then discard the rest unless the guest is spectacular.

Ferguson will have no problem beating Fallon and will likely see a surge in viewership (course he's not saying that).

[lmvd3]

There is absolutely NO competition for Ferguson. First, Ferguson is an extremely likable and hilarious guy. I wish he was on earlier, because I would never miss Ferguson. Fallon, on the other hand was never funny on SNL. I never understood why they kept him around...he just wasn't funny, ever. Ferguson's experience, natural charm, and charismatic wit will carry the night, as it does every night. He is one of the most underrated comics around...brilliant! No worries, Craig.