Popular late night show host Craig Kilborn, host of CBS' "Late
Late Show with Craig Kilborn," and an MSU graduate, has invited
students, alumni and faculty from his alma mater to be his
in-house audience on Tuesday, March 13.
"I am thrilled about the show," said Kilborn, who played
basketball for the 'Cats before graduating from MSU in 1990 with
a degree in film and television. "This will be the first time
I've been in a room with Montana State students and faculty since
I accidentally went to a class my freshman year."
Kilborn, who is known for a quick and sardonic wit, said he
sharpened his hosting skills while attending Montana State
University in the early '80s. After graduating, he worked as a
broadcaster, eventually hired as a popular anchor for ESPN and
later, host of "The Daily Show," an irreverent look at the news
on the Comedy Channel. CBS later hired Kilborn, saying that the
"Late Late Show" would be " a perfect fit for his sly humor."
A gold and blue Bobcat jersey hangs on the wall on the "Late Late
Show" and there is a reference to MSU on the show's Website.
"At college, (Kilborn) pledged to lead the Montana State
University Bobcats basketball team to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
Although the team finished fourth in the Big Sky Conference,
Kilborn did lead the league in turnovers - despite limited
playing time resulting from a nagging groin pull."
"It's going to be a phenomenal show," said Mitch Graham, CBS
publicist for the "Late, Late" Show when asked if the subject of
Montana might come up in the show. "Craig's very excited about
doing it."
So far, guests on the March 13 show are slated to be the seventh
castaway from the hit CBS show "Survivor," and a musical
performance by the blue grass band "North Mississippi Allstars."
This show will air at 11:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on the
CBS Television Network.
Claire Sands, development officer for the College of Arts and
Architecture, pitched the idea of a show composed of MSU
graduates to Kilborn's staff a few months ago and they were
excited about it.
Sands said invitations to participate in the audience were sent
to all A&A grads from the last 11 years who live in the five
country, metropolitan Los Angeles area, and RSVPs have been
strong.
Sands has also scheduled several MSU alumni activities in the Los
Angeles area that week. A Media and Theater Arts advisory council
meeting is set Saturday as well as a Media and Theater Arts
alumni reception. On Thursday, March 15, the alumni of the
College of Arts and Architecture will tour the "Making Time"
exhibit at the Hammer Museum at UCLA featuring 29 film and video
artists including Andy Warhol and Gary Hill. Media and Theatre
Arts majors will also tour the back lot of Universal Studios on
Wednesday, March 14 and will meet Jonathan Mostow, director of
U-571.
Sands said there may be a few spaces in the audience left for MSU
students who may be vacationing on spring break in the L.A, area
and would like to sit in the audience. She may be reached at
csands@montana.edu.
Carol Schmidt
