The Late Late Show With James Corden: What To Expect
Monday night, James Corden becomes the new host of the Late Late Show on CBS. He’ll be the 4th host in the show’s history and the successor to Craig Ferguson who was host for 10 years. So far, we know that its an Englishman who’s replacing the Scotsman. At 36, Corden will also be the youngest out of all the other late night hosts. Other information about the new Late Late Show includes the new bandleader, Reggie Watts who is leaving IFC’s “Comedy Bang Bang” to join Corden in the 12:35am time slot. Other than that, a lot about what the new Late Late Show will be like is unknown.
Here’s what to expect on the Late Late Show with James Corden according to Corden himself, CBS and his producers.
Expect Less of a Monologue – James Corden and his producers have pushed the idea that they want to create something different in late night television. A lot has been made of of Corden’s song and dance abilities. He is a Tony Award winner. CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler told the Star Tribune, “He’s a combination of Jack Black and Fred Astaire. He’s pretty magical.” Look for more musical numbers and sketches rather than relying heavily on Corden coming out and doing jokes about the events of the day.
Expect A Lot of Reggie Watts – Corden is bringing in one of the most unique performers in comedy today to handle the music for the show. Reggie will be adding more to the show than songs on his keyboards and looping machine. James Corden told USA Today that Reggie Watts will be “a fundamental voice on the show.”
Expect Conversations Instead of Interviews – James Corden has already said that he wants to pattern his show on the formula of “The Graham Norton Show” in England. That’s where all the guests are appearing together on the set at once. Corden said he also appreciated the dynamic of having all the stars on the couch at one time and the spontaneity it created on “The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson”.
Expect Interesting Combinations of Guests – With having everyone on the couch at the same time and James Corden hoping to draw on the conversation that starts there, the new Late Late Show bookers are looking for guests who they think are going to gel together.
Expect a Different Looking Set – If Corden wants to make his show more conversational in tone, the set will have to allow for that. It’s hard to tell what the final look will be from the video below, but his interview area has been describe by the show’s producers as an “intimate, club-like studio”.
Expect The Late Night Show That The Late Late Show Resembles Most to be The Tonight Show – Supervising Producer Rob Crabbe was asked about how different the Late Late Show with James Corden will be and he told the Hollywood Reporter, “…I feel like Fallon changed it up to a great degree — as much as it could be changed — with the way he interacts with guests and things like that. So we’ll try to put our own little twist on it.”
Expect Some Possible Drunk Shows – Crabbe also called Corden “an excellent host” and in every sense of the word. Crabbe added, “If you’re around him, he’ll make sure you have something to drink. He’ll ask you a question and try to find commonality with you.” Hopefully this means an open Late Late Show bar to get guests to open up.
Expect To Hear Some Things You Don’t Understand – There were rumors about test shows where the audiences said they had trouble with James Corden’s British accent. The new host admits there’s going to be somewhat of a language barrier even though everyone’s speaking English. He said, “So of course there are going to be things which I can only really learn by making mistakes in doing them — about colloquialisms, or words in dialogue and things. But I don’t know that it will come down to people people understanding my accent or my sense of humor.”
Expect Some Self-Deprecating Fat Jokes – In the lead up to James Corden taking over the Late Late Show, he’s been describes as “chubby” in the media. This is a subject that Corden brings up himself. He said, “I’m 36. I’m constantly on a diet, which I constantly break.”
Expect a High Tech Show Open – The new Late Late Show’s title sequence was shot by “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” director J.J. Abrams. This could be the late night comedy show with the most lens flare in history. Also, the opening theme was done by Mark Ronson.
The Late Late Show with James Corden premieres Monday at 12:35am et on CBS.
