Craig Kilborn
Craig Kilborn is an American television host, comedy performer and podcaster who moved from sports broadcasting into late-night television. He was the first host of The Daily ShowThe Daily ShowThe Daily Show is an American late-night news-satire program launched by Comedy Central in 1996 and co-created by Lizz Winstead and Madeleine Smithberg. It combines news commentary, field reports, comedy segments and interviews. Jon Stewart hosts Mondays, with a rotating team on the other weekdays; distribution includes Paramount+, online video and podcasts.Open the full entry and later hosted CBSCBSCBS is an American commercial broadcast television network. It was founded in 1927 as United Independent Broadcasters, renamed the Columbia Broadcasting System in 1928, and grew from a radio network into a television network under William S. Paley. With ABC and NBC it is one of the three traditional U.S. broadcast networks; it has been owned in turn by Westinghouse, Viacom, ViacomCBS and Paramount Global, has been owned by Paramount Skydance Corporation since 2025, and is one of the five networks that rotate in the White House television pool.Open the full entry’s The Late Late Show.
Contents7 sections
Key facts
Before 1996Basketball and sports broadcasting
Kilborn grew up in Hastings, Minnesota, and played basketball at Montana State University. Early broadcasting jobs included radio play-by-play for the Savannah Spirits, sports director at KCBA-TV in Monterey, California, and ESPN, where he developed a humorous commentary style.[1]
July 1996First host of The Daily Show
The Daily Show premiered on Comedy CentralComedy CentralComedy Central is an American comedy television and digital-entertainment brand covering news satire, stand-up, sketch comedy and adult animation. Known for programs including The Daily Show and South Park, it is part of Skydance Corporation’s media business.Open the full entry on July 22, 1996, with Kilborn as its first host. Created by Lizz WinsteadLizz WinsteadLizz Winstead is an American comedian, author and media creator, co-creator and original head writer of The Daily Show, and co-founder of Air America Radio. She also leads the reproductive-rights advocacy organization Abortion Access Front.Open the full entry and Madeleine SmithbergMadeleine SmithbergMadeleine Smithberg is a television producer, writer and cooking-show creator who co-created The Daily Show with Lizz Winstead and served as its executive producer. She later developed cooking videos and instruction through Mad In The Kitchen.Open the full entry, its early format emphasized parody of news conventions, entertainment news and interviews.[2]
March 30, 1999Taking over CBS late-night hosting
Kilborn took over CBS’s The Late Late Show on March 30, 1999 and also wrote for it. He brought segments including Five Questions and A Moment for Us from The Daily Show, continuing interviews with actors, musicians and sports figures.[1]
Before 2004Film appearances alongside television
CBS’s 2004 biography records Kilborn’s appearance in Old School and his fifth anniversary hosting The Late Late Show. This period extended his career from sports commentary into late-night interviews, comedy writing and film acting.[1]
From 2022: The Life Gorgeous podcast
On The Life Gorgeous, Kilborn discusses sports, film, music and everyday life with guests. Apple Podcasts credits Cloud10 as creator and lists activity from 2022 to 2026, reflecting his continuing sports interests and conversational format.[3]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
His principal television associations include The Daily Show and The Late Late Show. Podcast page: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-life-gorgeous/id1632259928 (opens in a new window).[3]