Late Show Drama: Chelsea Handler To Replace Craig Ferguson

It looks like Craig Ferguson is about to be out of a job.

The funny man and host of The Late Late Show is trying everything to keep his seat as the host of the late night talk show, but it doesn't seem like CBS wants him.

The network is even looking to pay the star top dollar to vacate his late night chair.

In Fergueson's contract, there is a clause stating that if the network didn't offer him Letterman's job when he retired that they would have to pay him upwards of $10 million. Ferguson's name wasn't even on the list of potential comedians who were in the running to take over Letterman's job.

When it comes to Fergueson's show, a source tells The News, that CBS thinks his focus is "too narrow." The network is also upset that the late night show never became a ratings hit.

The source goes on to say that when it comes to negotiating a new deal to keep his current position, "He's not exactly in the driver's seat."

When Letterman started his talk show on CBS he created a deal with the network that let the comedian choose who would be following his show at 12:30. Through his production company, Worldwide Pants, Letterman gave the gig to funny men Tom Snyder, Craig Kilborn, and Craig Ferguson who tookover from Kilborn in 2005.

The source goes on to say that "With Letterman out of the picture next year, Ferguson is negotiating with CBS instead of Letterman's production company as he has in the past. And CBS isn't negotiating back.

Ferguson, who still has over a year left in his contract is not likely to keep his seat on the late night program, after David Letterman retires, creating a completely new lineup for CBS.

CBS has been looking to Chelsea Handler, host of Chelsea Lately on E!, to take over Ferguson's show in June 2015 when his contract ends.