Thursday marked the end of “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” and the talk show went out with a bang. CBS gave Corden and his team more than two hours to say goodbye to their fans, spanning between the “Carpool Karaoke” special at 10 p.m. ET/PT and the final episode at 12:37 a.m. ET/PT. And that goodbye included everything from skydiving to surprise appearances from Joe Biden and David Letterman.
It all started with “The Last Late Late Show with James Corden Carpool Karaoke Special”. On Monday, CBS released a clip of Adele waking up a surprised Corden for their final “Carpool Karaoke.” The segment, filled with tears, emotional stories and a rendition of “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” set the goofy but sad tone of this late-night show’s departure. But even though Adele was the one in the car, it was Tom Cruise who stole the spotlight in the first half of the evening.
Devoted fans know that Cruise and Corden crashed production of “The Lion King” in February. Corden and Cruz’s performances as Timon and Pumbaa, respectively, through the lens of a cameraman from “The Late Late Show” on random TikToks were so enjoyable to watch. But it was what Cruise did after that truly took off on his musical adventure. After engaging in a mock fight, Corden and Cruise performed a version of Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”. looks like the action star put those old “Rock of Ages” Singing Lessons to good use.
Of course, since this is Tom Cruise we’re talking about, stunts were involved. The “Top Gun: Maverick” star opened the segment by taking a call from Corden mid-skydive and ended it by stopping on a helicopter.
Once Tom Cruise boarded his helicopter, the real finale began. Next up was President Joe Biden. In a recorded segment, the leader of the free world quipped, “I’m surprised you lasted 8 years in any job.” Famous well-wishers kept on walking from there.
Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon all appeared for a sketch that centered around Corden’s nightmare. They threaten her not to reveal any of their late-night secrets and warn that she is not allowed to make retirement fun. Colbert also told him that he had to grow a beard to make it look like “God talked to me from a bush.” Cue the David Letterman appearance. The sketch then ended with a glimpse into Corden’s near future: appearing on “The Masked Singer” with fellow retired late-night host Trevor Noah. In case you’re wondering, Corden was The Banana after all.
Skydiving and a Ken Jeong cameo left the final guests of “The Late Late Show” with big shoes to fill. So how did Will Ferrell and Harry Styles rise to the occasion? By destroying Corden’s desk.
Styles arrived in a speedy mustard number, and Ferrell arrived with a mallet. As soon as his feet hit the stage, he went for Corden’s table in true Eric Andre fashion. It was only after Corden shouted repeatedly that Ferrell lowered his weapon. The Late Late Show has plans to memorialize its set at The Smithsonian.
Styles, Ferrell and Corden had an ultimate game of “Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts”. When asked to pick his favorite late-night host, Ferrell was quick to say Seth Meyers before eating his bug trifle. To his question – which of his two guests is the more talented – Corden took the grosser option and ate a bull penis.
But the real highlight of this final segment had to do with 2023 Album of the Year winner Harry Styles, who was asked if there would ever be a One Direction reunion. “I’m afraid it’s not a yes or no question. I would never say that,’ Stiles said. ‘I don’t see why we wouldn’t.’
In the final few minutes of “The Late Late Show,” Corden pushed aside his nerdiness and showed a rarely seen emotional side of himself. Holding back tears, Corden described how he’s seen both his family and America change over the past eight years.
“We are all more alike than we are different, and there are a lot of people who are trying to inflame those differences. We should try as best we can to find the light, to find the joy. Because if you It’s out there. And that’s all the show has always been,” Corden said. “Thank you for letting me do this. Thank you for letting me come over to your house every night.”
