James Corden Debuts as Host of “The Late Late Show”
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Art Streiber/CBS(LOS ANGELES) — James Corden made his debut as the new host of CBS’ The Late Late Show Monday, taking over for Craig Ferguson, who left in December after a 10-year run.
Corden’s first guests were Tom Hanks and Mila Kunis. Corden eschewed the traditional talk show desk in favor of a simple chair opposite a couch that was shared by Hanks and Kunis.
A highlight of the interview portion of the show came when Corden coaxed Kunis into addressing the rumor that she and Ashton Kutcher, her former That 70s Show co-star and the father of her five-month-old daughter Wyatt, tied the knot. Kunis and Kutcher confirmed their engagement last year, but have always avoided questions about their marital status.
“Did you get married?” Corden asked the Ted star, to which she answered, “I don’t know, maybe.”
When Corden pressed and declared, “Either you’re married or not,” Kunis flashed a diamond ring on her left ring finger. Corden then declared, “Oh, they got married! They got married, everybody!”
As the audience erupted in applause, Hanks asked the band to play the “Wedding March.” Still, reps for Kutcher and Kunis have not yet confirmed the news.
The British comedian kicked off his show by introducing himself to his audience and the American public. He made a few jokes, which were followed by a star-studded pre-taped segment, which explained how he landed the gig.
In a nod to the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Corden finds a golden ticket hidden inside a candy bar. He shows up at the studio backlot, where, in a parody of the Oscar-nominated movie Whiplash, former Tonight Show host Jay Leno trains him in the art of hosting a TV talk show.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Meryl Streep, Allison Janney, Billy Crystal, Katie Couric, Joel McHale and Shia LaBeouf also appeared in the segment.
Another comedy bit featured Corden and Hanks frantically performing brief scenes from the actor’s film career, which resulted in Corden donning a wig to portray Meg Ryan several times.
Late Late Show with James Corden airs weeknights on CBS.
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