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Described as a ‘Global viral phenomenon’ by The Guardian, James Corden’s fearlessness on Carpool Karaoke has conquered America faster than Beatlemania.
Many see Carpool Karaoke as a guilty pleasure. Something which they just can’t help watching week after week as Corden produces these incredible moments simply from behind the steering wheel of a car.
It’s a very clever concept, with his guests from all genres of music. Carpool Karaoke therefore appeals to literally every age and music taste out there. This is seen through his last two guests: rock legends Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Disney star turned pop sensation Selena Gomez.
As they make their way through the Red Hot Chilli Pepper’s amazing back catalogue of songs that everyone knows, Corden is in his element. He is living out his dream of head banging along to their greatest hits, while singing word perfect all whilst sat right next to them.
Corden finishes the sketch by saying ‘I always knew this would be a fun part of my life to be in a car with you…I never expected it to be as much fun as it has been…people say don’t meet your heroes but I don’t think they’ve ever met the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.’
The highlight of the whole sketch has to be when Anthony Kiedis and Flea sing their classic hit The Zephyr Song with Corden, all topless. This sketch reveals the bands amazing chemistry and is a hilarious moment not to be missed. You can see the joy on Corden’s face not only here but also when they’re acting like big kids as they get out the car to wrestle on a strangers front lawn. You can’t help but laugh along with them.
Not only has Carpool Karaoke propelled Corden’s career and turned him into a household name in America, he is living out his dream getting to not only meet but perform with some of the greatest names in music. His passion and enthusiasm oozes out of him in every Carpool he does, making him so endearing and entertaining yet addictive to watch. No matter how many times you see the sketch you just can’t get bored.
On his most recent Carpool Karaoke with Selena Gomez, Corden keeps his sketch fresh by adding an extra element and singing Gomez’s Come & Get It whilst riding a rollercoaster. These new and extra updated elements to Carpool Karaoke stop his millions of regular viewers from getting bored, and leave others intrigued and wanting to watch.
Corden knows what makes his sketches a success, and his guests all feel comfortable to carry out whatever he asks them to do, as they trust his creative genius.
Carpool Karaoke allows celebrities to truly be themselves and let themselves go, as Corden gets to know them and develops a natural rapport and chemistry with each of his guests which is clearly visible in all his sketches.
Corden keeps his sketch current including people hot off the press in his videos; the most talked about people at the minute. He does this in his Carpool sketch with Chewbacca Mum and JJ Abrams, the director of the long awaited 2015 Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The Chewbacca Mum has recently gone viral with her own YouTube video where she is filming herself wholeheartedly laughing whilst wearing a Chewbacca mask.
Corden’s friend and producer, fellow Brit Ben Winston, has described Carpool Karaoke as a ‘gateway drug’ into the rest of the show. Corden understands how important it is to use the right people in his sketches to create a buzz around them, boosting viewing numbers each night.
However, not everyone agrees and praises Carpool Karaoke. American journalist and the Washington Post’s TV critic Hank Stuever has described Carpool Karaoke as a ‘fascinating horror’. Stuever is strongly against Corden himself: ‘If ever there was a louder, needier, more obnoxiously pathetic host in the American late-night genre, then I’m glad to have missed it. And I could have gone on ignoring Corden except for the slow invasion of his “carpool karaoke” segments, seen and shared by tens of millions online.’ Harsh, but very honest words.
But only the minority are seen to agree with Stuever as Carpool Karaoke has been a runaway success as supported by many TV industry pundits both in the US and the UK, with critics describing it as the must-see moment of late-night US TV.
Maybe us Brits feel a sense of pride towards Corden, as we have seen him grow from Smithy on Gavin and Stacey which he co-wrote, to a chat show host on the biggest late night talk show in America.
Wayne Garvie, chief creative officer for international production at Sony Pictures Television, believes: ‘It just makes you feel happy and you have a laugh. There’s not enough TV at the moment that makes you feel like that. It’s a very brilliant simple idea, driven by James Corden’s electric personality. It feels like a party that you want to be a part of – you want to be in that car with Corden – as opposed to looking at rich people having a good time. That’s a very subtle thing.’
What’s more, we have some good news for Carpool Karaoke’s UK fans. The Late Late Show with James Corden is finally coming to the UK and Ireland. From July 19th, episodes will be available on Sky and NOW TV catch-up just one day after their US broadcast.
This karaoke phenomenon seems to be never ending, with Corden’s sketches and guests just getting better and better. Carpool Karaoke truly is taking over both US and UK airwaves.
Just when we though Corden couldn’t possibly pull a bigger, better or more VIP celebrity out the bag, he only goes and gets Michelle Obama. Yes, The US First Lady Michelle.
We can’t wait for this….