James Corden: US falls for 'unknown Brit'

Fans and critics praise Gavin & Stacey star, who blends humility and glitz on The Late Late Show

230315-corden-talkshow.jpg

Audiences and critics have given James Corden the thumbs-up after the British star made his debut as host of US chat show The Late Late Show. The Gavin & Stacey actor, who is relatively unknown in America, has replaced the popular Scottish comic Craig Ferguson at the helm of CBS's The Late Late Show. Following a publicity blitz in the US, Corden secured Tom Hanks and Mila Kunis for his first show, which was recorded in front of a live audience in Los Angeles and aired last night. The actor opened the show by addressing a slightly bemused American audience who had little idea of who he was. Corden introduced himself by saying he was a 36-year-old from an English town called High Wycombe, which most English people haven't heard of.

He then told audiences he was surprised to be there. "Believe me, however shocked you are that I am standing here doing this job, you will never be as shocked as I am." Corden promised to try to put a smile on viewers' faces as they went to sleep. Critics and audiences obliged.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us