Three years after he signed off CBS’ “The Late Late Show,” James Corden is back in the host chair for Fox’s World Cup after-show, “After Hours With James Corden.” The show debuted June 11 and airs nightly at 11 p.m. through the tournament final on July 19. For Corden, it’s a temporary but deeply satisfying return to live television, reuniting him with key members of his “Late Late Show” team, including executive producer Ben Winston and former head writer Ian Karmel.
The set of “After Hours” resembles a soccer fan’s dream clubhouse. It is filled with memorabilia ranging from signed jerseys and scarves to photographs of legendary players past and present. One especially eye-catching feature is a life-size wax figure of Brazilian icon Pelé, on loan from Madame Tussauds in London. The studio sits right next to Fox’s main World Cup anchor set, where Rebecca Lowe, Thierry Henry, and Zlatan Ibrahimović lead the coverage. Corden and his guests — including former England star Rio Ferdinand, who regularly joins the roundtable — break down the day’s matches with humor and insight.
On the latest episode of the “Daily Variety” podcast, Corden opened up about why this particular hosting offer felt different from the many he had received after leaving “The Late Late Show.” “I wasn’t completely convinced and on the hook, if I’m honest. I certainly wasn’t in a rush to host anything. I really felt like hosting shows was something I’d probably said goodbye to when I stopped ‘The Late Late Show,’ ” he said. “And then the more I thought about it… the great thing about this is it’s so definite in its time. It’s not like you’re going to sit and go, oh, we’re going to get picked up for a second season. How’s it doing? It’s about something very specific that I love. And the more I thought about it, I thought, you’re an idiot to even consider turning this down.”
Fox’s offer came more than a year ago from Rob Wade, Fox Entertainment’s CEO. Corden noted that he and Winston had produced a similar after-show for the U.K.’s ITV during the 2010 World Cup, so the concept was familiar and appealing. The call from Fox Sports was the one hosting gig he could not refuse, partly because it allowed him to indulge his lifelong passion for football. “I didn’t realize how much I’d missed producing an hour of live television every day,” Winston told Variety.
The reunion of the “Late Late Show” brain trust has been a source of joy. “The thing that’s made it really, really joyful is how many old faces are back just doing this for five weeks,” Corden said. “It’s been glorious.” Ian Karmel brings his signature wit to the roundtable, mixing it up nightly with Ferdinand and Corden. The chemistry is palpable, and the show benefits from the ease of a team that worked together for years.
With the benefit of distance from his late-night tenure, Corden reflected on his decision to end “The Late Late Show” in April 2023. He said he could feel the seismic shifts coming. The show wrapped barely a week before the WGA strike shut down production on May 2, 2023. Corden recalled a conversation with David Staff, head of CBS Studios, at the PaleyFest event. “He said, ‘It’s so sad, isn’t it?’ And I said, ‘I don’t think it is sad, actually.’ I said, ‘If I’d signed that contract that you offered me… you’d have come to me and said, “We need to cut $10 million from this budget.” … As soon as you need to cut $10 million from a budget, the only way you do that is by making your team smaller. And as soon as you make your team smaller, you change the entire environment of the team that are making that show.’” Staff then told Corden that the cuts would have come within six weeks if he had stayed. “I feel just incredibly proud of what we did and of what we accomplished when we did it,” Corden said.
The landscape of late-night television has grown even more turbulent since Corden’s departure. Stephen Colbert’s show at CBS ended amid intense political pressure from the Trump administration, and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel now faces scrutiny from the FCC under the current administration. Corden noted that he could sense the industry-wide contraction coming in 2023. His exit, though difficult, was well-timed. The budget reductions that would have decimated his team were inevitable, and going out on his own terms preserved the legacy of the show.
Corden’s career extends far beyond late-night. He first gained fame in the U.K. for his role in the sketch comedy “Gavin & Stacey,” which he co-wrote. He later transitioned to Broadway, winning a Tony Award for “One Man, Two Guvnors,” and hosted the Tony Awards multiple times. His “Late Late Show” became famous for viral segments like Carpool Karaoke and Crosswalk the Musical. Since leaving the show, Corden has focused on producing and appearing in film and television projects, including the Apple TV+ series “The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin.” But the World Cup after-show represents a return to the live, unscripted format he mastered.
The tournament itself has been historic. The U.S. hosted the World Cup for the first time since 1994, and viewership has shattered records. The recent U.S. match against Belgium averaged 33.1 million viewers, making it the most-watched soccer telecast in American history. “After Hours” capitalizes on this excitement, offering fans a relaxed, clubhouse-style recap. The show’s production value is high, with on-location segments, analysis from former players, and light-hearted banter. Each episode ends with Corden’s trademark warmth, thanking viewers for tuning in.
The limited-run nature of “After Hours” is a draw for everyone involved. Corden and his team know exactly how many episodes remain, and the lack of renewal pressure allows them to focus solely on entertaining. “It’s not like you’re going to sit and go, oh, we’re going to get picked up for a second season,” Corden emphasized. The show is a labor of love, fueled by a shared passion for football and a desire to recapture the magic of live TV production — albeit for a finite engagement.
As the World Cup heads into its final week, Corden is savoring every moment. He has frequently expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work again with Winston, Karmel, and the rest of the “Late Late Show” alumni. The team’s chemistry is evident on screen, and the show has been well-received by critics and viewers alike. For Corden, it is a reminder of why he fell in love with television in the first place: the immediacy, the collaboration, and the joy of sharing a love for the beautiful game with millions of people.
Listeners can hear the full interview with James Corden on the “Daily Variety” podcast, available on iHeartPodcasts, Apple Podcasts, Variety’s YouTube Podcast channel, Amazon Music, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
Source: Variety News