Saying farewell to James Corden

West Kildonan

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/05/2023 (875 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

My husband and I have watched a lot of late night television talk shows over the past few years. Between the long winters, the nightmarish COVID-19 virus, and being immune-compromised and ill, these shows have provided much humorous entertainment and a reprieve from stressful circum-stancess.

For me, The Late Late Show with James Corden, which aired on CBS, was a favourite. Corden is a multi-talented British actor and comedian who had hosted the show since 2015. He announced he was leaving in April 2022 and said goodbye for good on April 28. His shows were at times silly but they always made us laugh and he definitely lifted our spirits.

Because the program aired so late at night, we recorded them and watched them when we could.

We enjoyed the final episode that combined an hour-long special with the final talk show. The spe-cial featured Tom Cruise and Corden hilariously performing in The Lion King. Perhaps it was payback for the times when Cruise had Corden, terrified, jumping out of airplanes.

Adele also joined Corden for a final Carpool Karaoke segment where they laughed and cried and reminisced.

“It’s been a brilliant adventure,” Corden said, explaining once again why he and his family are re-turning to England. “I’m just so certain that it’s time for us as a family – with people getting older, people that we miss – it’s time to go home.”

Carpool Karaoke became Corden’s signature segment, and all the segments are still on YouTube. Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Adele and so many others have sung along with Corden in many priceless episodes.

His crosswalk musicals, performed on busy streets in full costume in front of impatient, confused drivers were also hilarious.

The final show also included other late-night hosts, including Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, David Letterman and a short cameo appearance by Trevor Noah. They stern-ly warned Corden, in an absurdly funny skit, to keep the “sacred secrets” of talk show hosting to himself.

To sign off one last time, Corden thanked all those involved in making the show what it was. He then sat at a piano alone and sang a touching farewell song, struggling to keep the tears from his eyes.

He also urged his audience to “look for the light, look for the joy,” telling them that all they’ve ev-er wanted was to bring a bit of light and levity to the end of our day.

We will miss you, James Corden. Thank you for brightening our days.