Craig Ferguson to Leave 'Late Late Show' in December

For a realm of pop culture that doesn't change much, the late-night TV landscape is now on the verge of wrapping up a complete overhaul. On Monday night, CBS announced that Craig Ferguson would leave The Late Late Show in December. When combined with NBC's shifts at The Tonight Show and Late Night along with David Letterman retiring from Late Show at CBS, all four major late-night shows will have changed hosts over the course of just two years.

"During his 10 years as host, Craig has elevated CBS to new creative and competitive heights at 12:30," CBS Entertainment Chairman Nina Tassler said in a release. "He infused the broadcast with tremendous energy, unique comedy, insightful interviews and some of the most heartfelt monologues seen on television. Craig's versatile talents as a writer, producer, actor and comedian speak to his great days ahead. While we'll miss Craig and can't thank him enough for his contributions to both the show and the network, we respect his decision to move on, and we look forward to celebrating his final broadcasts during the next eight months."

Ferguson has hosted The Late Late Show since 2005 after taking over for Craig Kilborn. When CBS announced that it had chosen Stephen Colbert to replace Letterman, things didn't look bright for Ferguson's future with the network. Based on several reports, Ferguson would receive a large multimillion-dollar payout if he were passed over for the Late Show. In his own statement, Ferguson didn't sound like he harbored any ill feelings toward CBS.

"CBS and I are not getting divorced, we are 'consciously uncoupling,'" Ferguson said, "but we will still spend holidays together and share custody of the fake horse and robot skeleton, both of whom we love very much."

The Hollywood Reporter did some brief speculation over who would now replace Ferguson, listing Neil Patrick Harris as someone "believed to be interested in the job." Harris' name came up during the "who will replace Letterman?" round of speculation, and based on his relationship with CBS through How I Met Your Mother, it makes sense that he would be in the running. Should we consider Harris a viable replacement or only consider guys named "Craig"?