The Late Late Show with James Corden

The Late Late Show with James Corden
Show name	The Late Late Show with James Corden
Presenter	James Corden
Country	United States
Language	English
Location	Studio 56, CBS Television City
Runtime	60 minutes
Channel	CBS
First aired	March 23, 2015
Last aired	April 27, 2023

The Late Late Show with James Corden

The Late Late Show with James Corden was an American late-night television talk show hosted by James Corden that aired on CBS from 2015 to 2023. The program combined celebrity interviews, musical performances, sketch comedy, and viral segments, blending elements familiar from programs such as The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Produced in Los Angeles at CBS Television City, the series became notable for recurring digital bits that engaged artists linked to Adele, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and productions like The Beatles tributes.

Background and Development

Corden, known for stage work with National Theatre and screen roles in Into the Woods and Gavin & Stacey, was announced by CBS Corporation executives following predecessor hosts including Craig Ferguson and studios that hosted Tom Snyder. The network positioned the show amid late-night competition with franchises led by Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Stephen Colbert. Early development involved collaboration with producers associated with Fulwell 73, Darren Star, and Sony Pictures Television, aiming to transplant British variety sensibilities from The Late Late Show (franchise)'s history and Corden's UK experience on Gavin & Stacey and A League of Their Own (UK TV series).

Format and Segments

The program featured a monologue, desk segments, and field pieces akin to sketches pioneered on Saturday Night Live, The Graham Norton Show, and Top Gear (UK) spin-offs. Regular segments included "Carpool Karaoke," which paired Corden with musicians like Adele, Paul McCartney, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and Ariana Grande while driving through Los Angeles. Other recurring bits were crossovers involving personalities from SNL, The Simpsons, and Broadway stars from Hamilton (musical), as well as parodies referencing franchises like Star Wars, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Game of Thrones, and Doctor Who. Musical showcases hosted acts who previously appeared on Saturday Night Live, Later... with Jools Holland, and Austin City Limits.

Production and Broadcast History

Initially taped at CBS Television City in Studio 56, the show used production teams linked to Fulwell 73 Productions and distribution by CBS Television Distribution. Episodes followed the standard American late-night schedule and were later uploaded as clips shared via YouTube, Facebook, and partnerships with outlets such as Rolling Stone and Billboard. During the COVID-19 pandemic, taping shifted from studio audiences to remote formats, echoing adjustments seen on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers. The series concluded in 2023 when Corden announced a return to the United Kingdom, closing a run that included specials tying into Grammy Awards, Academy Awards, and live theatre events like West End transfers.

Cast and Crew

Host James Corden led a team including executive producers from Fulwell 73 such as Ben Winston and series producers with credits on The X Factor (UK), The BRIT Awards, and The Oscars. The band, occasionally led by musical directors with links to Sting collaborators and The Roots alumni, supported live performances involving collaborators from Columbia Records, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment. Writers' room personnel featured comedians and sketch writers who had worked on The Daily Show, SNL, and British programs associated with BBC and Channel 4.

Reception and Ratings

The show debuted to solid ratings within the Nielsen ratings system, drawing viewers from demographics targeted by CBS and advertisers such as PepsiCo and AT&T. Critical reaction ranged from praise—comparing energetic segments to viral hits from Jimmy Fallon and lauding guest lineups that included Beyoncé, Barack Obama, and Brad Pitt—to critiques concerning format and host style by publications like Variety, The New York Times, and The Guardian. Over successive seasons, ratings fluctuated amid late-night fragmentation influenced by platforms such as Netflix, HBO Max, YouTube, and streaming trends driven by Spotify and social media companies including Twitter and Instagram.

Controversies and Criticism

The program faced controversies over certain sketches and celebrity encounters that generated debate in outlets like The New York Post, The Daily Mail, and The Washington Post. Criticism included accusations of cultural insensitivity and staged moments resembling practices scrutinized in documentaries about media ethics such as those involving Fox News and debates surrounding authenticity similar to controversies linked to Saturday Night Live and reality franchises like Big Brother. Incidents involving guest interactions sparked discussions in trade outlets like Variety and regulatory commentary from groups analyzing broadcast standards linked to Federal Communications Commission-adjacent practices.

Legacy and Influence

The show's most durable legacy is the popularization of "Carpool Karaoke," which inspired spin-offs and influenced formats on Apple Music and television specials featuring stars from Adele to Ed Sheeran and Paul McCartney. Corden's blend of sketch, music, and celebrity access influenced successors and contemporaries across Late Night franchises, with creators from Seth Meyers to Jimmy Fallon acknowledging the impact on digital-first clip strategies used by networks like NBC, ABC, and Fox Broadcasting Company. The series fostered collaborations between pop artists and late-night television that reverberated across award ceremonies such as the Grammy Awards and cross-promotional campaigns with labels including Warner Music Group and streaming platforms such as Apple TV+.

Category:American late-night television series