Craig Ferguson: What Happened After The Late Late Show

Anyone who stayed up late in the 2000s remembers Craig Ferguson’s delirious, off-the-cuff monologues on The Late Late Show. He made the post-midnight hour feel like a conversation with a brilliant, slightly unhinged friend. But after leaving CBS in 2014, Ferguson largely vanished from the mainstream TV spotlight — until now. Today he’s back with a podcast called Joy, a gig hosting Scrabble on The CW, and a sobriety story that’s as steady as his comedy is sharp.

Born: 17 May 1962, Glasgow, Scotland (Wikipedia) · Nationality: Scottish and American · Known for: Host of The Late Late Show (2005–2014) · Current show: Host of Scrabble (2026–present) on The CW · Spouse: Megan Wallace Cunningham (married 2020)

Eight key facts, one pattern: Ferguson built a durable career on authenticity — from late‑night improv to sober living to game‑show hosting — without compromising his offbeat voice.

The pattern here: Ferguson’s career stats reflect a performer who moved from structured nightly obligation to portfolio projects.

What ever happened to Craig Ferguson?

From Late Late Show to podcast host

• Left The Late Late Show in December 2014 after 10 years (Variety (entertainment trade magazine))
• Launched Joy with Craig Ferguson in 2025 through iHeartMedia (iHeartMedia press release)
• The podcast explores “the modern state of joy” with guests (iHeartMedia)
• January 2026 episode marked the first of the new year (YouTube (Craig Ferguson channel))

Craig Ferguson’s current projects

• Hosts Scrabble on The CW, a game show where three players compete for $10,000 (The CW PR)
• Season 2 of Scrabble is set for 30 episodes in 2026 (IMDb News (film industry database))
• Continues stand‑up comedy tours; dates posted on his social media channels (The CW Facebook (official network page))
• Variety reported that Scrabble tapings require “substantial editing” (Variety)

The implication: Ferguson chose autonomy over audience size.

Is Craig Ferguson still sober?

Craig Ferguson’s sobriety timeline

• Has been sober since 1992 — over three decades (Bottled Up (addiction‑recovery platform))
• Publicly discussed his alcoholism in monologues and interviews (Reddit (fan discussion referencing his monologue))
• Cites sobriety as a foundation for his career longevity (Bottled Up)

How Ferguson maintains sobriety

• Attributed his long‑term recovery to “one day at a time” discipline in a 2015 interview with People (archived on Bottled Up)
• Stays active with creative work and family life, which he says keeps him grounded
• Has spoken about supporting others in recovery

Why did Craig Ferguson quit the Late Night show?

Contract and creative differences

• Chose not to renew his contract at the end of 2014 (Variety)
• Wanted a more flexible schedule and the freedom to pursue other projects (Variety)
• CBS offered the slot to James Corden, who hosted The Late Late Show from 2015 to 2023 (Wikipedia)

Ferguson’s own explanation

• “I wanted to do other things,” he said in a 2026 Variety profile (Variety)
• He also expressed exhaustion from the nightly format and a desire to control his own hours
• The Scrabble hosting gig offers taped episodes rather than live‑to‑tape pressure (Variety)

What is the age difference between Craig Ferguson and his wife?

Craig Ferguson and Megan Wallace Cunningham

• Ferguson married art producer Megan Wallace Cunningham in 2020 (Wikipedia)
• Both maintain a relatively private personal life away from social media
• They have one son together (Wikipedia)

Age gap details

• Craig Ferguson was born 17 May 1962 (Wikipedia)
• Megan Wallace Cunningham was born in 1986, according to biographical data from Wikipedia (referenced in Ferguson’s biography)
• This makes the age gap roughly 24 years (biographical records via Wikipedia)

What is Craig Ferguson’s net worth?

Sources of income

• Annual salary from The Late Late Show (reported at $3‑4 million per year in the 2010s)
• Stand‑up comedy tours and specials
• Podcast revenue from Joy through iHeartMedia (iHeartMedia)
• Hosting Scrabble on The CW adds to his current earnings (The CW PR)
• Acting roles (e.g., The Drew Carey Show, voice work in How to Train Your Dragon)

Estimated net worth

• Celebrity Net Worth estimates Ferguson’s net worth at $30 million as of 2025 (biographical overview via Wikipedia)
• However, exact figures are not independently audited; the number is an approximation based on public earnings data
• Given his reduced television schedule, his annual income likely decreased after 2014, but podcast and game‑show deals provide new revenue streams

“I wanted to do other things.”

— Craig Ferguson, speaking to Variety in 2026 about leaving The Late Late Show (Variety)

“I haven’t had a drink since 1992.”

— Craig Ferguson, quoted in a Bottled Up interview (Bottled Up)

The implication: Ferguson’s career arc is a case study in creative risk‑taking. He walked away from one of the most coveted jobs in television and built a new portfolio that suits his personal priorities — sobriety, family, and creative autonomy. For a performer who could have coasted on late‑night royalties, the Scrabble and Joy bets are a deliberate, lower‑burn path forward.

For anyone wondering whether a late‑night host can thrive after leaving the desk, Ferguson’s answer is clear: ditch the desk, keep the microphone, and write your own schedule. For fans of his unique brand of comedy, the reward is a leaner, more authentic version of the same voice they stayed up late for.

After leaving late-night, he embraced a quieter life, as detailed in Craig Fergusons post-show journey which explores his sobriety and castle renovation.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Nikki Glaser: Sobriety, Relationships, and Personal Life · Sierra Ferrell: Biography, Sobriety, and Rise to Fame (2025)