UC Kilborn
By Daily Bruin Staff
Jan. 8, 2002 9:00 p.m.
 Photos from CBS Craig Kilborn, seen
above with his trademark flawless smile, will be playing host to
oodles of UCLA students in his UCLA-themed basketball show tonight
on CBS.
By Kelsey McConnell
Daily Bruin Contributor
The sovereign state of late-night comedy will be bleeding blue
and gold tonight as CBS’s Craig Kilborn mixes his
wisecracking with a salute to UCLA’s own basketball team.
When asked if UCLA is his favorite team, Kilborn replied,
“Sure … this interview is for the Daily Bruin?”
“The Late Late Show” debuted on CBS in 1995 with
host Tom Snyder. In 1999, Craig Kilborn, formerly of Comedy
Central’s “The Daily Show,” took over
Snyder’s desk. Since then, Kilborn has brought to the show
his own special essence with bits like “Five
Questions,” “In the News” and the cutthroat
celebrity game show “Yambo.”
Tonight, the comic stylings of Kilborn will include more than a
little dose of Bruin pride. The show has been highlighting college
basketball teams each Wednesday, beginning with a salute to the
University of Florida on Nov. 14, and this week UCLA gets
theirs.
“We chose Wednesday because, when I was in college,
that’s when the weekend started,” said Kilborn.
“I’m excited I get to do UCLA, with it’s
legendary basketball program. There will be banners and an
“˜In the News’ story and “˜Five Questions’
about UCLA. It will be a magical moment and I truly believe that it
will help them win.”
There will also be UCLA cheerleaders bringing the show into
break and even a surprise celebrity UCLA alum walk-on.
Though reluctant to make a concrete prediction. Kilborn seems to
think UCLA has Kansas beat.
“The Jayhawks are a good team, but UCLA looks good. I
think my record with these predictions is 5-1. I’ve only been
wrong once and in the moment I’ll be able to make my
prediction.”
Kilborn says that in the history of college basketball, UCLA is
among the best.
 Craig Kilborn, host of "The Late Late
Show," claims to have discovered Dido; he also
claims tonight’s UCLA-themed show will help UCLA beat Kansas this
Saturday. “UCLA has John Wooden. Do you know who John Wooden
is? There should be a course UCLA students have to take called
“˜John Wooden 101.'”
Kilborn attributes his success in part to Wooden’s
now-legendary “Pyramid of Success.” And though he is
quick to point out that his own burgeoning pyramid is not identical
to Wooden’s, the two are undeniably similar.
“While traveling in Paris after college, I came up with my
pyramid of success,” said Kilborn. “I’ll be
revealing it over the year. One of the sayings in my pyramid is
“˜check your negativity at the door.’ We have a positive
show. Another saying is “˜hug a rainbow.'”
When asked to elaborate, Kilborn said, “I’m going to
elaborate in the future, but isn’t that beautiful? Hug a
rainbow.”
Even before his concepts of self-improvement appeared in pyramid
form, Kilborn had a clear purpose for his show.
“Our goal is to entertain, of course, but it’s also
to teach. I know that’s a word that scares the kids
sometimes, but education is important.”
The basketball-themed shows are a way for Kilborn’s
educational program to appeal to a collegiate audience.
“I like to reach everybody,” he said. “But I
think the college kids like sports and I know they’re up
late.”
Kilborn’s basketball knowledge derives not only from his
love of the game, but also from his past experience as a player.
While attending Montana State University, Kilborn hit the court as
a member of the Fighting Bobcats.
Following his stint as a player, Kilborn became a radio
sportscaster who covered the Savannah Spirits, a team in the now
defunct Continental Basketball Association.
It wasn’t until ESPN discovered Kilborn that the
broadcaster-cum-late night host found a place to showcase his
signature dry wit.
From highlight tapes in which Kilborn created such notable
references to the NBA’s Pooh Richardson as “Pooh Pooh
Pa-Choo, Mrs. Robinson” and “Too Live Pooh,”
Kilborn was hired as the host of the strictly humorous “The
Daily Show.” It was at “The Daily Show” that
Kilborn developed “Five Questions” and “A Moment
for Us,” segments he later brought to his CBS show.
Now in his third season with “The Late Late Show,”
Kilborn passes his days chatting with the world’s favorite
stars of film, television, news and sports. In the tradition of
Johnny Carson, Kilborn weekly spotlights rising young comics.
Kilborn also hosts musical guests both established and novice.
“I discovered Dido,” he said. “Did you know I
discovered Dido?”
Subtle, dry or goofy, Kilborn gives late-night audiences the
dose of comedy they so desperately desire. And tonight, viewers
tuning in for the funnies will be getting an 8-clap as well.
