Nellie Andreeva

EXCLUSIVE: Brian McAloon, the only person to ever direct CBS’ Late Late Show throughout all of its incarnations, is leaving the late-night show and the company that produces it, David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants. Taking over directing duties on Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson is McAloon’s longtime assistant director, Tim Mancinelli. McAloon spent a total of 30 years with Worldwide Pants, starting off on Letterman’s Late Night on NBC and Late Show on CBS and segueing to The Late Late Show at its 1995 launch with Tom Snyder as host. He has directed every episode of the show (more than 3,400 in total) for hosts Snyder, Craig Kilborn and current host Craig Ferguson, all on Late Show‘s current stage. His departure comes as Ferguson is finalizing a new deal that involves the show moving to a bigger studio. Here are internal emails sent out today by the show’s executive producer Peter Lassally & producer Michael Naidus and by McAloon himself:

Everyone:

We’re sad to announce today that after 17 years directing The Late Late Show, our longtime director, Brian McAloon, has decided to pursue other career opportunities at the end of his current contract.

Brian moved to Los Angeles from his job on Late Show with David Letterman when The Late Late Show began operations in 1995.  He directed every episode of the program while it was hosted by both Tom Snyder and Craig Kilborn, and the past seven years with Craig Ferguson.

We are fortunate to be able to ensure a smooth transition as Brian hands over the reins of the program to his longtime assistant director, Tim Mancinelli.

Both of us have told Brian today how grateful we are for his work over the years, and how sorely he’ll be missed.  We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

 Friends, Colleagues,

I’m sure many of you have already read that I have decided to pursue new opportunities when my contract ends.

I am immensely proud of the 3,400+ shows that we have put on the air for the past 17 years — from Tom Synder’s first live show of “fire up the simultinis, sit back, relax, and watch the pictures, as they fly through the air” to Craig Kilborn’s Five Questions, and currently Craig Ferguson’s  ”it’s a great day for America.”   Words cannot express my gratitude to the dedicated people on the staff, crew, and CBS who have worked tirelessly on the Late Late Show all of these years.  I thank you for your friendship and support.

I hope many of our paths cross in the future.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.