Craig Ferguson leaving ‘The Late Late Show’ in December 2014

Today is not a great day for America, to use one of Craig Ferguson’s signature lines. The late-night host announced at a taping for “The Late Late Show” Monday that he will be stepping down from his post at the end of the year. This means another hosting search for CBS, and also more uncertainty about if the network can get things together after so many constant years now of stability. Craig has been around for a decade, and while ratings are behind “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” we have found him entertaining, intelligent, and even heartfelt.

This news was further confirmed by CBS Entertainment Chairman Nina Tassler, who had the following to say:

“During his 10 years as host, Craig has elevated CBS to new creative and competitive heights at 12:30, … He infused the broadcast with tremendous energy, unique comedy, insightful interviews and some of the most heartfelt monologues seen on television. [His] 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.”

There may have been a part of this exit that stemmed from Stephen Colbert getting the job at “The Late Show” over him, but that’s pure speculation. Craig is getting a hefty bonus thanks to this, and he may just feel like it’s time to do something different after being a part of the CBS machine for so long.

There will likely be an immediate search for Craig’s successor, and we imagine the list of replacements including many young, hip comments. We’ll have more on that soon, once we let this news process a little more.

What’s your reaction to Craig’s departure, and will you miss his weird and wacky style? Share below, and sign up now for our CarterMatt Newsletter to get some updates on all we cover.

Photo: CBS