Craig Kilborn
Encyclopedia
Craig Kilborn is an American actor
and talk show
host. He was the original host of The Daily Show
, a former anchor on ESPN
's SportsCenter
, and Tom Snyder
's successor on CBS
' The Late Late Show
. On June 28, 2010, he launched The Kilborn File after a six-year absence from television. The Kilborn File aired on some Fox
stations during a six-week trial run.
, but from the age 4, was raised in Hastings, Minnesota
. From early on Kilborn was taller than his peers and early on it made him a consistent standout from elementary playgrounds through his prep years in Hastings. He would eventually grow to be 6' 5" tall. In the 9th grade Kilborn caught the eye of a man that coached an All-Star team from Minneapolis called the Northside Magicians. Kilborn accepted an invitation to join the team in national tournaments. Kilborn, again stood out because of his talent and being the only white
player on the team. He starred in basketball at Hastings High School, earning three letters, All-Conference and All-State honors. His talent attracted the attention of NCAA Division I scouts and Kilborn accepted a scholarship to Montana State University
.
in Monterey, California. Some of his on air work included covering the Gilroy Garlic Festival and playing bocce ball with the locals near Cannery Row. Kilborn lived in nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea. Prior to KCBA, Kilborn was the CBA Savannah Spirits
's play-by-play radio commentator in 1986 and 1987.
SportsCenter anchor from 1993 to 1996. Kilborn was primarily the anchor of the late broadcast of SportsCenter which he coined "The Feel Good Edition". His numerous catch phrases included "Release, Rotation, Splash", "Jumanji", and "Oh, Precious". He made a return appearance to SportsCenter on August 8, 2004 when he co-hosted SportsCenter with Dan Patrick
during ESPN's 25th Anniversary Celebration
. The character of Casey McCall on ABC
's Sports Night
was said to be modeled on Kilborn's SportsCenter career.
. During his three-year tenure The Daily Show was named "Best Late Night Comedy" by TV Guide. Kilborn was also nominated for a Cable Ace Award for "Outstanding Host." Popular features Kilborn created at The Daily Show include: "5 Questions," "Moment For Us," "Dance, Dance, Dance," and the most enduring one always introduced by, "And now... your moment of zen."
In a 1997 interview with Esquire
, Kilborn made jokes regarding Daily Show co-creator and head writer Lizz Winstead
, saying, "To be honest, Lizz does find me very attractive. If I wanted her to blow me, she would." Kilborn apologized publicly and pointed out that the remarks were "said in jest," but he was suspended for a week.
In 1998, CBS and David Letterman's production company Worldwide Pants selected Kilborn to replace Tom Snyder as host of The Late, Late Show to run after Late Show with David Letterman. His final Daily Show episode aired on December 17, 1998. On January 11, 1999 Jon Stewart
replaced Kilborn as host of The Daily Show.
at the beginning of his show. In August 2004, he elected not to extend his contract, referring to it as "early retirement." Kilborn's last episode of The Late Late Show aired on August 27, 2004. Scottish comedian and naturalized American citizen Craig Ferguson
took over the show on January 3, 2005.
On a June 2010 interview, promoting his new show The Kilborn File, Kilborn stated that he left late night television due to him thinking that the late night timeslot was "crowded" and that he wanted to be part of "the first comedy show at dinner time".
. Kilborn played "Mark", the philandering boyfriend of Ellen Pompeo
's character. His memorable lines included the phrases "Good Talk" and "Guy Code". In the 2006 film The Benchwarmers
, Kilborn played Jerry the bully to Jon Heder, David Spade, and Rob Schneider's nerdy roles.
was his sidekick. The show brought back many of the hallmark segments from his time on The Daily Show and The Late Late Show, such as "5 Questions" and "Yambo" (renaming the Yambo segment to "Kilbo" and later to "Kilbyashi"). The show was not renewed.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
host. He was the original host of The Daily Show
The Daily Show
The Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
, a former anchor on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's SportsCenter
SportsCenter
SportsCenter is a daily sports news television show, and the flagship program of American cable network ESPN since the network launched on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major...
, and Tom Snyder
Tom Snyder
Thomas James "Tom" Snyder was an American television personality, news anchor and radio personality best known for his late night talk shows The Tomorrow Show, on the NBC television network in the 1970s and 1980s, and The Late Late Show, on the CBS Television Network in the 1990s...
's successor on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
' The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show (CBS TV series)
The Late Late Show is an American late-night television talk and variety show on CBS hosted by Craig Ferguson since 2005. It immediately follows Late Show with David Letterman and is produced by Letterman's Worldwide Pants Incorporated...
. On June 28, 2010, he launched The Kilborn File after a six-year absence from television. The Kilborn File aired on some Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
stations during a six-week trial run.
Early life
Kilborn, the son of Shirley, a school teacher, and Hiram Kilborn, an insurance executive, was born in Kansas CityKansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, but from the age 4, was raised in Hastings, Minnesota
Hastings, Minnesota
Hastings is a city in Dakota counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota, near the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers. The population was 22,172 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Dakota County. The bulk of Hastings is in Dakota County; only a small part of the city extends...
. From early on Kilborn was taller than his peers and early on it made him a consistent standout from elementary playgrounds through his prep years in Hastings. He would eventually grow to be 6' 5" tall. In the 9th grade Kilborn caught the eye of a man that coached an All-Star team from Minneapolis called the Northside Magicians. Kilborn accepted an invitation to join the team in national tournaments. Kilborn, again stood out because of his talent and being the only white
White people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
player on the team. He starred in basketball at Hastings High School, earning three letters, All-Conference and All-State honors. His talent attracted the attention of NCAA Division I scouts and Kilborn accepted a scholarship to Montana State University
Montana State University - Bozeman
Montana State University – Bozeman is a public university located in Bozeman, Montana. It is the state's land-grant university and primary campus in the Montana State University System, which is part of the Montana University System...
.
Career
Kilborn began his television career as the sports anchor for Monterey County's Fox affiliate KCBAKCBA
KCBA is a Fox affiliate television station in Salinas, California, USA. The station broadcasts its digital signal on VHF channel 13. KCBA is owned by Seal Rock Broadcasters, LLC and operated by Cowles Publishing Company through a local marketing agreement with CBS affiliate KION-TV channel...
in Monterey, California. Some of his on air work included covering the Gilroy Garlic Festival and playing bocce ball with the locals near Cannery Row. Kilborn lived in nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea. Prior to KCBA, Kilborn was the CBA Savannah Spirits
Savannah Spirits
The Savannah Spirits were a professional basketball team that played for two years in the Continental Basketball Association from 1986 to 1988, amassing a total regular season record of 42 wins and 60 losses for a total of 306.5 points. The Spirits did not qualify for the postseason in their first...
's play-by-play radio commentator in 1986 and 1987.
SportsCenter
After several small jobs, Kilborn became an ESPNESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
SportsCenter anchor from 1993 to 1996. Kilborn was primarily the anchor of the late broadcast of SportsCenter which he coined "The Feel Good Edition". His numerous catch phrases included "Release, Rotation, Splash", "Jumanji", and "Oh, Precious". He made a return appearance to SportsCenter on August 8, 2004 when he co-hosted SportsCenter with Dan Patrick
Dan Patrick
Daniel Patrick Pugh , professionally known as Dan Patrick, is an American sportscaster, radio personality, and actor from Mason, Ohio...
during ESPN's 25th Anniversary Celebration
ESPN25
ESPN25 is a special event conducted to mark the 25th anniversary of ESPN.During the run-up to the anniversary date of January 1, 2004, the network counted down the top sports moments of the last 25 years . The list featured concentrated almost exclusively on moments involving Americans...
. The character of Casey McCall on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's Sports Night
Sports Night
Sports Night is an American television series about a fictional sports news show also called Sports Night. It focuses on the friendships, pitfalls, and ethical issues the creative talent of the program face while trying to produce a good show under constant network pressure...
was said to be modeled on Kilborn's SportsCenter career.
The Daily Show
In 1996, Kilborn became host of The Daily Show on Comedy CentralComedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
. During his three-year tenure The Daily Show was named "Best Late Night Comedy" by TV Guide. Kilborn was also nominated for a Cable Ace Award for "Outstanding Host." Popular features Kilborn created at The Daily Show include: "5 Questions," "Moment For Us," "Dance, Dance, Dance," and the most enduring one always introduced by, "And now... your moment of zen."
In a 1997 interview with Esquire
Esquire (magazine)
Esquire is a men's magazine, published in the U.S. by the Hearst Corporation. Founded in 1932, it flourished during the Great Depression under the guidance of founder and editor Arnold Gingrich.-History:...
, Kilborn made jokes regarding Daily Show co-creator and head writer Lizz Winstead
Lizz Winstead
Lizz Winstead is an American comedienne, radio and television personality, and blogger. A native of Minnesota, Winstead was co-creator of The Daily Show along with Madeleine Smithberg, and served as head writer....
, saying, "To be honest, Lizz does find me very attractive. If I wanted her to blow me, she would." Kilborn apologized publicly and pointed out that the remarks were "said in jest," but he was suspended for a week.
In 1998, CBS and David Letterman's production company Worldwide Pants selected Kilborn to replace Tom Snyder as host of The Late, Late Show to run after Late Show with David Letterman. His final Daily Show episode aired on December 17, 1998. On January 11, 1999 Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart is an American political satirist, writer, television host, actor, media critic and stand-up comedian...
replaced Kilborn as host of The Daily Show.
The Late Late Show
Kilborn hosted The Late Late Show for five years, changing the format to appeal to a younger audience. On the show, he popularized segments such as Yambo and 5 Questions. He created several characters, including Sebastian, the Asexual Icon. He also narrated his own introduction and would enter to the sound of the song Play That Funky MusicPlay That Funky Music
"Play That Funky Music" is a funk song written by Robert Parissi and recorded by the band Wild Cherry. The performers on the classic recording included the members of the band at the time: lead singer Parissi, guitarist Bryan Bassett, bassist Allen Wentz, and drummer Ron Beitle, with session horn...
at the beginning of his show. In August 2004, he elected not to extend his contract, referring to it as "early retirement." Kilborn's last episode of The Late Late Show aired on August 27, 2004. Scottish comedian and naturalized American citizen Craig Ferguson
Craig Ferguson
Craig Ferguson is a Scottish American television host, stand-up comedian, writer, actor, director, author, and producer. He is the host of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, an Emmy Award-nominated, Peabody Award-winning late-night talk show that airs on CBS...
took over the show on January 3, 2005.
On a June 2010 interview, promoting his new show The Kilborn File, Kilborn stated that he left late night television due to him thinking that the late night timeslot was "crowded" and that he wanted to be part of "the first comedy show at dinner time".
Filmography
In 2003 Kilborn had a memorable role in the hit movie Old SchoolOld School (film)
Old School is a 2003 American comedy film released by DreamWorks SKG and directed by Todd Phillips, director of the documentary Frat House. The story was written by Court Crandall, and the film was written by Phillips and Scot Armstrong...
. Kilborn played "Mark", the philandering boyfriend of Ellen Pompeo
Ellen Pompeo
Ellen Kathleen Pompeo is an American actress, known for playing the title role of Meredith Grey on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy.-Early life:...
's character. His memorable lines included the phrases "Good Talk" and "Guy Code". In the 2006 film The Benchwarmers
The Benchwarmers
The Benchwarmers is a 2006 American sports-comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan. It stars Rob Schneider, Jon Heder, and David Spade. It is produced by Revolution Studios and Happy Madison Productions and distributed by Columbia Pictures.-Plot:...
, Kilborn played Jerry the bully to Jon Heder, David Spade, and Rob Schneider's nerdy roles.
The Kilborn File
Craig Kilborn returned to television on June 28, 2010 after six years off the air, when his new half-hour show The Kilborn File debuted on select Fox stations. The show aired for a six-week test run on a 7:00 pm timeslot in most markets. Christine LakinChristine Lakin
Christine Helen Lakin is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Alicia "Al" Lambert on the 1990s ABC/CBS situation comedy Step by Step and as Joan of Arc in Showtime's Reefer Madness...
was his sidekick. The show brought back many of the hallmark segments from his time on The Daily Show and The Late Late Show, such as "5 Questions" and "Yambo" (renaming the Yambo segment to "Kilbo" and later to "Kilbyashi"). The show was not renewed.
New sitcom
In May 2011, it was announced that Kilborn will be writing, producing and starring in an ABC sitcom.Broadcast career highlights
- 1986–1988: Play-by-play commentatorSports commentatorIn sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
for the Savannah SpiritsSavannah SpiritsThe Savannah Spirits were a professional basketball team that played for two years in the Continental Basketball Association from 1986 to 1988, amassing a total regular season record of 42 wins and 60 losses for a total of 306.5 points. The Spirits did not qualify for the postseason in their first...
of the Continental Basketball AssociationContinental Basketball AssociationThe Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :... - 1990–1993: Sports Director at KCBAKCBAKCBA is a Fox affiliate television station in Salinas, California, USA. The station broadcasts its digital signal on VHF channel 13. KCBA is owned by Seal Rock Broadcasters, LLC and operated by Cowles Publishing Company through a local marketing agreement with CBS affiliate KION-TV channel...
television in the Salinas/Monterey/Santa Cruz market of California - 1993–1996: Anchor of SportsCenterSportsCenterSportsCenter is a daily sports news television show, and the flagship program of American cable network ESPN since the network launched on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major...
- 1996–1998: Host of The Daily ShowThe Daily ShowThe Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
- 1999–2004: Host of The Late Late ShowThe Late Late Show (CBS TV series)The Late Late Show is an American late-night television talk and variety show on CBS hosted by Craig Ferguson since 2005. It immediately follows Late Show with David Letterman and is produced by Letterman's Worldwide Pants Incorporated...
- 2010: Host of The Kilborn File
External links
- Craig Kilborn at NNDBNNDBThe Notable Names Database , produced by Soylent Communications, the same entity that produces Rotten, Daily Rotten, Dr. Sputnik's Society Pages and Penny Postcards, is an online database of biographical details of over 36,000 people of note...