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Craig Ferguson Monologue Interrupted by Bad Break
Craig Ferguson by Jeff Neira/CBS
Late Late Show viewers wondering why Craig Ferguson's opening monologue is now interrupted by an early commercial break need be perplexed no longer. A CBS rep tells the New York Post the change is "a proactive response to an upcoming ratings system" that, come the new TV season, will measure how many people are actually watching commercials. Ferguson, who on Tuesday's show referred to it as an "experiment," has been "extremely agreeable" to the move, says CBS. Uh-huh.
The thinking is that Late Late Show will gradually steer more ads toward the front of the show, when fewer people have dozed off more people are watching. As the Eye rep puts it, "We want to... see if the first commercial [break] works creatively and provides more value for our advertisers." Judging by viewer reaction to Ferguson's now crudely cleaved spiel, the answer to the first part there is a big no.
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Jul 12, 2007 3:44 PM
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The New York Post need only have watched Craig on Tuesday night. He explained it to viewers in great detail. He didn't just slough it off as being an "experiment"; he said it was for the new ratings system and that it would be measuring how many viewers are watching the commercials. He also referred to it (with a bit more brevity) last night. 
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Jul 12, 2007 4:12 PM
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I didn't see it, so I'm not sure what happened, but if they cut him off in the middle of something for commercials, that would have boiled my blood. I hope they don't start doing this to shows. It would definately make me NOT want to buy the product. Plus, it just gives people a sooner chance to go to the bathroom or channel surf.
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Jul 12, 2007 4:21 PM
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Mannie_Annie, it wasn't that abrupt. He just explained that they would be taking an earlier break, and then they go to commercial. When he comes back, he does the second half of his monologue.
I'm kind of worried about this new ratings system. I haven't watched commercials in YEARS! My set-up has two TV monitors, and if I'm watching a show "live as it airs", I've got another show DVRed on monitor two to watch during the break. It's funny when people talk about their favorite commercials at work or someplace, I am completely out of the loop! 
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Jul 12, 2007 4:27 PM
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I love being out of the loop on commercials!
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Jul 12, 2007 4:52 PM
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I don't get how they know if viewers are watching the commercials. They can tell if they change the channel, but not changing it doesn't guarantee that they're still watching.
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Jul 12, 2007 4:53 PM
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Thanks Gord. I knew I could count on you.
I agree that they can't tell if you even watch the commercials. I usually tune them out, but there is ONE that seems to get me everytime. It's the Pepsi one where everyone is yawning except the person drinking Pepsi. I hate that thing.
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Jul 12, 2007 5:29 PM
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I don't know if it's the same now as it was years ago, but when we were a Neilsen family, we had to push a button every once in awhile to tell the box someone was watching and who it was. Is that still the process?
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Jul 12, 2007 5:34 PM
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There is one commercial that I really hate, and it is the Airwick commercial with the giraffe. I just can't help but wonder who did she screw to end up with two kids that are different animals?
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Jul 12, 2007 5:42 PM
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There are some commercials that send me straight out of the room and there are others that are amusing and I'll watch over and over again. But, for someone in the middle of a monologue, that has to kill the momentum. Whoever designed this new ratings system obviously doesn't know a thing about viewers. Does anyone know if they're planning this for prime time, too?
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Jul 12, 2007 6:18 PM
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Except for sports, I never watch a show live. Even with shows that I love, like 24 or Lost, I don't start watching until 1/2 past so I can FF through the commercials. Gotta love DVR/Tivo/Faux-Vo!
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Jul 13, 2007 3:44 AM
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 Mannie_Annie
So, Creggers said last night that he's not doing the early commercial break thing anymore (well, after tonight's pre-recorded episode). Apparently, his "team player" status has a short shelf life.
I love that a guy with such a tenuous hold on showbiz (on after Dave...not Conan...) can still manage to be so cranky and get away with it! Anyone who's NOT watching Craig Ferguson should be at least recording his opening monologue! The guy has moments of brilliance!
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Jul 13, 2007 5:37 AM
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One thing I really liked about this show was how long it went from the start with no commercial. Oh well...
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Jul 13, 2007 8:52 AM
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...no, but...jncextra...didn't you read my post? Go back and read my post! (exhale and sigh)
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Jul 13, 2007 9:00 AM
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I've never watched, so I don't know...is Craig Ferguson really green?
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Jul 13, 2007 11:30 AM
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