courtesy BBC.com March 24 2015
Corden introduced himself to the audience, saying he was ‘shocked’ by his new job
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James Corden’s debut on TV’s The Late, Late Show has been praised in the US.
Fans and critics were impressed by the 36-year-old host, calling the talk show “inspired lunacy” and “a winner”.
Corden, a relative unknown in the US, was joined by Hollywood stars Tom Hanks and Mila Kunis for the first show in LA on Monday.
He introduced himself to the audience, saying: “However shocked you are that I am doing this job, you will never be as shocked as I am.”
A raft of A-listers also joined forces to record videos for his first show.
“I’m sure lots of people are wondering how I ended up in this seat, and I include myself in that too, but rather than tell you we thought we would show you this,” Corden said, introducing a Charlie And The Chocolate Factory-themed sketch.
It included appearances from Simon Cowell, Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne and comedian Chris Rock all devastated or furious after opening chocolate bars without the golden ticket inside, before Corden finds the winning ticket in the street.
Further cameos from Meryl Streep, Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Tonight Show host Jay Leno put Corden through his paces.
Corden, who was not widely known in the US before landing the high profile job on CBS, was praised for his likeability.
Writing in The Hollywood Reporter, Tim Goodman said: “As first nights go, this was a winner for Corden.”
He praised the star as “youthful and engaging” and compared him to Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon.
Mila Kunis and Tom Hanks were Corden’s first guests
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“Corden doesn’t put a layer of cool between him and the viewer (or his guests) – he’s as affable and sincere as Fallon with just a little less goofiness. It’s a welcome trait, one that should put guests at ease,” he said.
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http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32031781
I thought the first show was great! I do however dislike the couch, that aside I loved that they addressed the fact he’s from somewhere else. I think the US is one of the last western countries to realize there’s people from somewhere else who can become part of a community and contribute. My opinion on this is absolutely biased, but I love hearing accents from somewhere else on radio & television. Ferguson was new territory for US TV when he started, and he won them over with his wit. I hope Corden will do the same.
Good start for Mr. Corden. They need his energy for that time slot. He may be gunning for a primer early evening slot with even more listeners and more money coming in for him. Too late to replace Letterman, but replacing somebody one day.