Since the stepping down of previous host Craig Ferguson in December, we the great American public have been waiting and waiting for the past few months for the next host to take The Late Late Show to the next level. We were eager for him to give us a first impression, give us a new taste in the new era, and possibly make his mark as the next big thing in late night talk. And after watching his first show, I can gladly tell you that...yes, he will be the next big thing.
BEFORE THE SHOW
But before I get to my review, here are my thoughts about Mr. Corden before the announcement as successor.
The first time I heard of Corden was during his time as host of the BRIT Awards in the UK back in 2012. I thought he was charming, witty, not too brash and really funny. Plus he has a face you can put on Vogue magazine. It’s like he’s the Ed Sheeran of acting. In fact, Corden looks very similar to Sheeran.
He certainly can handle a live show with his talents. What I didn’t know about him was that he did so much more as an actor. He created and co-starred in critically-acclaimed British sitcom Gavin and Stacey, was a very popular comedian, and a huge talent overall.
He also did a great job with his talents in the States. He starred in a Broadway play called One Man, Two Guv’nors (he even won a Tony Award for his performance), the hit film Into the Woods, and has made an appearance on LLS when Ferguson was still host.
To me, Corden is a very talented actor/comedian even before time I should've heard of him in time of his hosting the show.
LOGO
For a quick minute, I wanna discuss the logo. At first, I wasn't very fond of it. I thought it looked dull, boring and even a little uninspired. But as time went on and the show was closer to airing, it grew on me big time, in terms of the concept of the show. The Neon-light "Late"s look really cool and works with the narrow sans serif font very well. Plus the graphic shown before and after every commercial break is really cool with the "Late"s lights turning on like neon lights turn on. So yeah, I didn't like at first, but now I do.
SET
When I got a good look of the set, it reminded me of something oddly familiar. That familiar look was the set of all of Conan O'Brien's talk shows (Late Night, Tonight Show and Conan).
I also saw some elements of the set from The View as well--mainly from the audience area. So, it was creepy to see such similarities between these shows. Fortunately, what sets them all apart is the nice liquor bar (Sponsored by Anheiser-Busch [specifically Bud Lite]) on the side, a marquee on top of the stage portion, and the really cool 3D renderings of famous LA hotspots, along with a rendering of the logo facing backwards, behind the desk area.
The first part of the show gave an interesting set-up: Instead of the title sequence (with the names of the guests), it starts with a short music sequence involving a shot of the Los Angeles skyline and CBS Television City before Corden came into the set.
The song is really nice and showcases Watts and his band really well. I like the band, and it’s a really good step away from LLS tradition of not having an in-house band that has started with Tom Snyder, stayed with Craig Kilborn and ended with Ferguson.
I would hope that band will have a bit of prominence on the show, but that sound silly, as it will happen that they’ll have some prominence. It really livens up the Late Late Show brand and brightens up the setting. Also the “BAND” sign above them is hilariously redundant and general, but it works well. It reminds me of an element on Gravity Falls in which some items feature the general term for it as its name for a joke, which also works well.
Here are some examples to show what I mean:
All-in-all, the set looks very nice, very warm and vibrant and I find it very vibrant and warm-toney. Good look, guys; I'm really impressed.
MONOLOGUE
Corden started his first monologue by introducing himself.
This was nice, warm, inviting and amazing. And funny, too. From there, I can tell that at least the viewers are going to like him a lot. I know I do. From my first watching the BRIT Awards, I knew I would like this guy a lot. And from here on out, I would find him lovable.
Corden also introduced bandleader Reggie Watts, who, from the times I seen, is a brilliant and amazing musician and improviser. He can play any genre and using any song without hesitation or stuttering. He’s an absolutely perfect choice to lead the in-house band, and I couldn't think of anyone else great to be that person. No seriously, I can’t. I don’t know anyone else as a popular musician/bandleader. Also, his hair is magnificent; I have never seen an afro this soft and fluffy in my life and I never will. I can only wonder the pains Watts goes through to keep it this perfect, but it has paid off in an amazing way.
Also, he introduced his parents to the audience and viewers. They’re such a lovely couple, and you can just tell from the first time you see them that they’re proud of their son.
TITLE SEQUENCE
After the monologue, Corden initiated the title sequence, which featured him and Watts all across the LA nightlife bopping around and dancing. It was cool and showcased what kind of vibe this show would have. The colors and vibe work well in regards to the concept of the show, so I think this will be a great open to use for a long time.
GUESTS
After all the heartwarming introductions, Corden took us backstage to introduce his first guests. In the Blue Room is Tom Hanks, and in the Red Room is Mila Kunis. I love this part as it gives us a taste of what the guests would be like, and I hope it stays throughout it's longevity.
Okay...here’s where it gets awesome. This show has a format where both guests (not just one at a time!) appear on the set by walking through the audience, and then sit together with Corden. And Corden has no desk in front of him! This is a perfect set-up. It makes the interview more lighthearted, intimate and inviting. It’s like a mix of The Graham Norton Show and The Late Show. It’s just perfect. Just, just perfect.
The first guests were critically-acclaimed actors Kunis and Hanks.
They talk about starring in a Broadway play and in movies together, and Kunis talked about being pregnant within the short period as Corden. I love how intimate and warm, yet light hearted and funny the interview is. Again, It’s just perfect. Just, just perfect.
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Hanks Films Recreation
After the joint interview, Corden and Hanks come together to recreate scenes from some of some of Hanks’ famous films. This was just fucking brilliant. Hanks and Corden had the energy and power in their performance, and it clearly shows. They knew every line and yet it felt like I’ve seen the films for the first time, and they all feel like films worthy of Academy Awards. Both men did a great job doing these recreations and made it look easy and effortless.
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After that, Corden and Hanks returned to the couch with Kunis to discuss, among other things, a picture of Hanks in a New York subway train accused “man-spreading”. Hanks opened up (pun intended) about this, saying:
and then revealed that the particular train was half empty and that he was crossing his legs, without any repercussions.
This was just as funny because Hanks opened up about it, I just couldn’t give as much of a shit about man-spreading (if the car is half empty) as possible.
Later on, Corden gave the floor to Watts, who asked Hanks an interesting question about people in the 1806. Hanks gave back an equally interesting answer...involving Velcro. He even made up a new term: BV and AV.
Reggie's question was funny, but Hanks' answer was even funnier, was unexpected and absolutely something we all felt like we now know something new about.
Anyway, this was a very good interview. The stories that Kunis and Hanks gave were phenomenal and Corden's interviewer skills were amazing. This was a joy to watch, this interview, and I have a definite feeling that many more interviews along the way will also be a joy to watch. Corden can carry an interview, and find a way to make it appeal to the guests and the viewers. And that's impressive.
And finally, it was the end of the first night, so Corden performed a wonderful song made just for the show. It was about how he enjoyed his first night as host and hopes you join him for some fun as the show begins its infancy.
The song was really nice, felt intimate, was funny and actually almost brought me to tears.
SURPRISES
Of course, after this, there is a pre-recorded bit. But it was funny and it works, so all is right.
Many celebrities appeared, whether in a cameo or a long speaking role, including: Simon Cowell, Joel McHale, George Lopez, Lena Dunham, Katie Couric, Chris Rock and Chelsea Handler,
with Jay Leno, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Allison Janney and Meryl Streep appearing to help James prepare for his hosting the show correctly.
I did find the applauding when James got his ticket pretentious and obnoxious, but it did make sense.
What makes this genius is that some of the guests making cameos have been rumored to talk with the CBS execs to host or have already hosted a talk show. I laughed like hell when McHale, Lopez and Handler appeared. This would’ve been more genius if Craigy Ferg himself appeared in the bit and Leno’s remark about taking over TLLS in 3 months was also hilarious. And genius because David Letterman will have left The Late Show in May.
There weren't that many surprises this time, understandably because not many people know who Corden is, and it stayed strictly with the pre-recorded Candy Contest bit, but the limited amount I got was great enough. I would say the segment with Hanks recreating scenes from his famous was one, but this appeared in ads for the show, so this doesn't count.
CORDEN HIMXSELF
On James himself, he was just perfect. He showed little to no nerves, he kept cool, he was amazing, and it was like he been doing this for years. Like I mentioned earlier, he has hosted the BRIT Awards for 4 years (and mind you, this is a live televised event) and did One Man, Two Guv'nors (which is a Broadway play, by the way), so it would be no thang for him to a taped late-night talk show like this, because he has the skills, the talent, the wit and humor and everything else he's good at (being nice and caring, good looks, the propensity to be either a big-ass softie and hard-ass jerk at the drop of a hat) to pull this off and never miss a beat. CBS made the right choice in finding the successor to Craig Ferguson, and I don't think they've screwed this up with this choice, and I really don't think Corden will take this for granted and/or mess this up. I don't think we'll let him down for being fans, as long as he doesn't let us down as host.
OVERALL
All-in-all, this was a great first show. I enjoyed very part of it, and wish there was a little more to look at, because to me, when it this show, it feels like there is so much content that needs to be shown on air at so little time. But since it airs every weeknight (except Monday), we can always wait patiently for the next episode to air to watch a lot more Corden-y goodness.
Watts and the band are awesome, the set is awesome, the format is awesome, the vibe is awesome and Corden is awesome. I love all that I've seen from the first show, and I think that this show will last a long while, if not a long time. CBS, you just have a gem on your hands. So exploit it well, and make it last.
Thanks for joining for the review of The Late Late Show with James Corden. I hope this show lasts a lone time; like 5, 6, 7 or 8 years. Just long enough for Corden to enjoy it and leave to do other projects. But I do hope Corden does it amazingly. And I wish him very well.
Good luck, James. This donut's for you, eh!
Goodnight.
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