The Remote Island

Seduction 101: How Craig Ferguson Charms the Ladies

Posted by Ben Kallen

Now that David Letterman is content to relive past times with Agent Scully, and Jay Leno settles for the perfunctory ogling of Scarlett Johansson, the real late-night king of starlet seduction is TV's Craig Ferguson. On last night's show, he appeared to just about charm the pants off of lovely young actress Kate Mara, star of the upcoming film Transsiberian. Find out how he does it, and watch the sparks fly, right here.

Craig Ferguson's Rules for Starlet Seduction:

1. Start with a double-cheek kiss. You can get away with it if you seem "European."

2. Get in plenty of "accidental" touching. Craig strokes her hand under the pretext of showing her ring to the audience, something she clearly enjoys.

3. Go easy on the compliments. (Kate: "Don't I have nice hands?" Craig: "Actually, I have nice hands.")

4. Find things you have in common. (Kate describes staying in a neighborhood in Glasgow while making a movie. Craig: "That's where I used to live!")

5. Hint about having a secret, dark background. (Craig: "I was the bartender... I had to throw myself out sometimes.")

6. Say things that may or may not predict naughty times in the future. (Craig: "You have to do something hugely embarrassing... tonight may be your night.")

7. Give her a "neg," i.e., a joking putdown. (Craig: "The Irish are just Scottish people that can't swim.")

8. Let her know you understand her belief system. ("Craig: "Do you believe in ghosts?" Kate: "Yeah, why?")

9. Move on to hard-core flirting. (Craig: "I think my dressing room here is haunted. I'm scared to be in it alone." Kate: "Really? Do you need someone to help you?" Craig: "Maybe just a cuddle.")

10. Let her do the rest. (Craig: "We're done here. We're out of time -- we need to stop this." Kate: "Why? We could keep going... I could help you in your dressing room, get rid of the ghosts." Craig: "Okay, yeah.")

Of course, it also helps if you're famous, and she's plugging a movie, and the whole thing is on TV. Here's how it all actually went down:

Previously:
Dave Letterman and Gillian Anderson Relive Their Makeout Session
Mr. Leno, Please Stop Drooling on Scarlett Johansson
Kristen Davis Talks About the Drunk Old Days

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Posted Aug 13 2008, 04:55 PM

Filed under: Craig Ferguson, David Letterman, Jay Leno, Scarlett Johansson, Late-Night TV, Kate Mara, Transsiberian

Comments

12 dogs and a blog said:

Have you seen the Holley Hunter interview?

That's Craig Ferguson in all out seduction mode.

Wow.

Seriously Holly Hunter (6/29/08) The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. On YouTube. Check it out. Wow. Just Wow.

August 14, 2008 3:59 PM

Auntie Slacker said:

Well, there was some attempt at seduction in this interview but I don't think it was Craig Ferguson attempting the seducin'. More like he was trying to survive it.

Funny interview in a cautionary tale kind of way.

August 14, 2008 5:57 PM

Fernando Blimp said:

Ferguson will own late night before the end of the decade.'Nuff said.

August 14, 2008 9:27 PM

faery866 said:

Kate was totally all into it...naughty naughty...oh Scotsmen...

August 18, 2008 1:12 AM

Jenna said:

That interview was great. he's charmed ladies who have never even met him...!

August 24, 2008 3:34 AM

About Ben Kallen

Ben Kallen is an entertainment, health and humor writer who's been lectured to by Sidney Poitier, argued with by Lea Thompson and smiled at by Jennifer Connelly. He's the coauthor of The No S Diet and author of The Year in Weird, along with hundreds of magazine articles. He lives near the beach in Los Angeles, just like the gang from Three's Company.

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Ben Kallen is an entertainment, health and humor writer who's been lectured to by Sidney Poitier, argued with by Lea Thompson and smiled at by Jennifer Connelly. He's the coauthor of The No S Diet and author of The Year in Weird, along with hundreds of magazine articles. He lives near the beach in Los Angeles, just like the gang from Three's Company.

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