Craig Ferguson of The Late Late Show on CBS.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Reporters from across North America attending the biannual Television Critics Association tour got an unusual wakeup message at 6:36 a.m. PDT at the Beverly Hilton on Wednesday.

“Good morning, television critics of America - my name is Craig Ferguson,” the message began.

In the background you could hear the live audience laughing at The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, which originates on CBS.

“The sound of people laughing is the laughter at your shame,” Ferguson’s message continued. “They’re laughing because of what you did last night.

“You thought nobody knew, but CBS had secret cameras all over that gentlemen’s club.

“Get up, let’s get at ’em!”

Through the years Ferguson regularly has had fun with critics at the TCA event. He usually sends a stack of pizzas to the TCA business meeting, in what he describes as “a shameless attempt to buy your favour.”