The Kintyre Forum

I'm a big fan of Craig Ferguson and when in the States, always catch his shows. Mr Govangirl has just come back today from work over there and told me Ferguson's show was filmed in Scotland all week. He returned to his hometown, Cumbernauld and interviewed Alex Salmond in Arbroath, visited the Glasgow Necropolis, etc. but opened his show last week with this: 'Scottish Rite Temple Stomp' sung by Ferguson and played by Steve Jones!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, that's him in the 'kilt' Jonesy, bagpipes and Doctor Who - madness but hilarious! Great song!!!!!

You might not know this GG, however the aforementioned Mr Ferguson was married to a Campbeltown girl. Don't think he's the most popular person with quite a few people round these parts.

As an aside - I've never understood how he made it so big in the States. I've tried watching his shows when I'm over there, however can't waver from my belief that he's the unfunniest Scottish 'comedian' I can think of. His sister is MUCH funnier.

He was marginally amusing in his Bing Hitler days, but that's about as charitable to him as I can be.

I did know that Sheik but didn't realise it was a problem. I don't think he's all that funny either but I think he's great at what he does now. I suppose it's a bit like Jonathon Ross, folk either love or hate him. When I was once in Chicago I caught his late show and he did this monologue about his drinking days and being an alcoholic and going to kill himself and it was one of the most brutal and honest accounts I had ever heard. There was no 'victim' mentality, he blamed himself totally. Two days later, I actually saw him in a hotel! Then later, another time I was over there I saw him doing a bit on his father who had just died and it really was moving.
I read his autobiography and it was a really good read. There's a few chapters on his first marriage and he comes across really, really obnoxious. He makes no bones that he was a first class tw*t and that she was the most patient woman in the world, smart and sassy and how he destroyed everything. He also says his sister, who is a writer on his show, is the funniest person he knows. He was an alcoholic with a self-destruct button and I enjoyed reading about how he turned his life around. I particularly like how he opened the book with Scott's famous quote: 'I am a Scotsman which means I had to fight my way into the world.' His story is steeped in the most awful and reprehensible selfishness and shame which he is honest about and he admits he has been telling so many lies that they have become his truth. There were many times in the book I soooooooooooooo didn't like him but I admired his honesty and how in the end he found redemption. I imagine now he is probably not a 'nice' person but I like his shows and the way he entertains and interviews.

Fair post GG. Sorry didn't mean for you to think it was a problem posting about him, I think he's still allowed to be mentioned

I'm sure Craig probably has done many things he's regretted (haven't we all) and I'm sure he's probably changed too (haven't we all).

Suggested to Mrs Sheik she might consider reading his autobiography based on your comments, apparently she'd rather stick needles in her eyes