Craig Kilborn

Craig Kilborn
Born	August 24, 1962 (1962-08-24) (age 49) Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Medium	Television
Nationality	American
Years active	1986–present
Genres	Comedy

Craig Kilborn (born August 24, 1962) 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.

Early life

Kilborn, the son of Shirley, a school teacher, and Hiram Kilborn, an insurance executive, was born in Kansas City, but from the age 4, was raised in Hastings, Minnesota.^[1] 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. ^[2] 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.

Career

Kilborn began his television career as the sports anchor for Monterey County's Fox affiliate KCBA 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. ^[3]

SportsCenter

Main article: SportsCenter

After several small jobs, Kilborn became an ESPN 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.^{[citation needed]}

The Daily Show

Main article: The Daily Show

In 1996, Kilborn became host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central. 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."^[4] 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.

The Late Late Show

Main article: The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn

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 Music 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".^[5][6]

Filmography

In 2003 Kilborn had a memorable role in the hit movie Old School. 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.

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.^[7] The show aired for a six-week test run on a 7:00 pm timeslot in most markets.^[8] Christine Lakin 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").^[9][10] 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.^[11][12]

Broadcast career highlights

• 1986–1988: Play-by-play commentator for the Savannah Spirits of the Continental Basketball Association
• 1990–1993: Sports Director at KCBA television in the Salinas/Monterey/Santa Cruz market of California
• 1993–1996: Anchor of SportsCenter
• 1996–1998: Host of The Daily Show
• 1999–2004: Host of The Late Late Show
• 2010: Host of The Kilborn File

References

1. ^ Craig Kilborn Biography (1962-)
2. ^ http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jun/28/entertainment/la-et-craig-kilborn-20100628
3. ^ FOX Sports on MSN - NBA - Focused O'Neal, Tinsley can carry Pacers
4. ^ Colton, Michael (1999-04-04). "Lizz Winstead Returns ... and So Does Marv". The New York Observer. http://www.observer.com/1999/lizz-winstead-returns-and-so-does-marv. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
5. ^ "Craig Kilborn on Good Day LA (The Kilborn File)". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxcZH5v9iUw. Retrieved 2010-10-31. 
6. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4ApwmlFcKY
7. ^ Fox to Test Kilborn in Seven Markets This Summer Broadcasting & Cable May 19, 2010
8. ^ Five Weeks In, 'Kilborn' Ratings Stand Still Broadcasting & Cable August 3, 2010
9. ^ The Kilborn File - Alex Meraz 2/2 YouTube July 6, 2010
10. ^ The Kilborn File - Mia Wasikowska 2/2 YouTube July 16, 2010
11. ^ ABC Adds Craig Kilborn Comedy Hollywood Reporter October 13, 2011
12. ^ Craig Kilborn Signs Development Deal With ABC Studios To Write And Star In Comedy Deadline.com May 12, 2011

External links

• Craig Kilborn at the Internet Movie Database
• Craig Kilborn at NNDB
• Craig Kilborn on Facebook

Media offices
Preceded by None	Host of The Daily Show 1996–1998	Succeeded by Jon Stewart
Preceded by Tom Snyder	Host of The Late Late Show 1999–2004	Succeeded by Craig Ferguson

Persondata
Name	Kilborn, Craig
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	August 24, 1962
Place of birth	Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Date of death
Place of death