Cleveland insomniacs and second-shift workers will recognize Craig Ferguson as the host of CBS’s Late Late Show. Drew Carey fans will recall him as Drew and Mimi’s Scottish boss, the irrepressible Nigel Wick. A former drummer and bartender, the funnyman also writes well-received screenplays and novels — but mostly, he cracks wise. After a stint as an actor, Ferguson drifted into stand-up comedy, and he still uses it to keep his wits sharp. As he does on the Late Show, he usually starts with some news of the day, then tells tales of his rise from Glasgow punk to American TV personality. It’s a funny story . . .

This article appears in Mar 28 – Apr 3, 2007.