James Corden bid farewell to his US late-night talk show after eight years of hosting it. In a star-studded finale, he received help from Harry Styles, Will Ferrell, and President Joe Biden to mark the end of an era.
James offers some final thoughts as our final #LateLateShow comes to an end pic.twitter.com/2GbQTQS8kh
— The Late Late Show with James Corden (@latelateshow) April 28, 2023
The farewell was a mixture of laughter and a heartfelt message from the British host. Corden urged US viewers not to give in to people who are “trying to stoke differences” in the country. He also implored Americans to remember what their country signifies to the rest of the world, a place of optimism and joy.
Corden shared his experience of moving to America eight years ago, which was a huge leap for him and his family. He started the show with Obama, then Trump, then a global pandemic, and watched America change a lot over these past eight years. He watched divisions grow and felt a sense of negativity grow and boil over.
What… what just happened. pic.twitter.com/oUlORBOojY
— The Late Late Show with James Corden (@latelateshow) April 28, 2023
He added that just because somebody disagrees with you, it doesn’t make them bad or evil. He urged everyone to look for the light and joy because if you do, it’s out there. He thanked viewers for letting him do the show and for letting him into their homes every night.
In his pre-recorded message, President Biden joked he was “surprised you lasted eight years in any job,” before thanking Corden for “never making me sing in a car.” Ferrell walked on to the set with a sledgehammer and proceeded to smash up the desk. Styles finished the job after Corden, in a final game of Spill Your Guts Or Fill Your Guts, was forced to answer which of his two guests he thought was more talented, and chose Ferrell.
Styles was asked whether there would be a One Direction reunion in the game. “I would never say never to that,” the singer replied. “If there was a time when we all felt like that was what we wanted to do, then I don’t see why we wouldn’t.” Corden responded with excitement, “I’m taking that as a yes!”
Adele, a long-time friend of Corden’s, returned for a final installment of Carpool Karaoke, which aired as an hour-long special before the main show. Fellow late-night hosts Seth Myers, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and David Letterman took part in a sketch discussing Corden’s retirement plans and argued over who would take over Carpool Karaoke.
In a segment, Corden and Tom Cruise performed as Timon and Pumbaa in a production of The Lion King in Los Angeles.
Corden took over the late-night talk show from comedian and actor Craig Ferguson in 2015. He never expected the show to become a success but described the experience as a “glorious ride.” Previous guests on the show have included Sir Paul McCartney, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Justin Bieber, Stevie Wonder, and Mariah Carey.
