By admin 
Three years after he bid a fond farewell to his iconic role as host of CBS’s "The Late Late Show," James Corden is experiencing a professional renaissance, immersed in a project that taps directly into a lifelong passion: football. Corden is currently at the helm of Fox’s World Cup after-show, "After Hours With James Corden," a role he describes as "the time of his life." In a recent episode of the "Daily Variety" podcast, the celebrated multihyphenate delved into the profound joy derived from indulging his deep-seated love for the beautiful game. He revealed that this particular hosting gig was the singular offer in recent years that he found utterly irresistible, a call from Fox Sports that he simply couldn’t decline.
"After Hours With James Corden" premiered on the opening day of the tournament, June 11, and continues its nightly broadcast at 11 p.m. EST, running through the final match on July 19. Corden’s studio setup is strategically positioned adjacent to the main broadcast hub for Fox Sports’ World Cup coverage, placing him in close proximity to esteemed anchor team members such as Rebecca Lowe, legendary former players Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović, and other prominent football personalities. This proximity fosters a dynamic and interconnected environment, allowing for seamless interaction and a shared energy that permeates the entire broadcast operation.
The set design for "After Hours" is meticulously crafted to evoke the warm and convivial atmosphere of a dedicated football clubhouse. It is adorned with an impressive array of soccer memorabilia, creating an immersive experience for both Corden and the viewing audience. The walls are a vibrant tapestry of photographs showcasing iconic players from both historical eras and the current generation, interspersed with a collection of soccer balls, meticulously displayed cleats, national flags representing various participating countries, and fluttering pennants symbolizing club loyalties. Adding a particularly striking touch to the décor are the numerous scarves, a ubiquitous symbol of fan devotion, draped and displayed to represent the passionate support for favorite teams worldwide. Further enhancing the visual spectacle is a life-size wax figure of the legendary Brazilian footballer Pelé, a treasured loan from the esteemed Madame Tussauds in London, serving as a constant reminder of the sport’s rich history and enduring legacy.
For Corden, the prospect of reuniting his trusted "Late Late Show" production team for a finite engagement, centered around a subject he cherishes so deeply, was an opportunity too compelling to pass up. He has brought together key figures from his previous show, including executive producer Ben Winston and former head writer Ian Karmel. This formidable creative engine now collaborates at a large, central table, where Corden engages in spirited discussions and analysis alongside renowned British football icon Rio Ferdinand. This reunion of talent, honed by years of successful collaboration, brings a unique chemistry and an unparalleled level of insight to the World Cup coverage.
Ben Winston articulated the profound satisfaction derived from this project, telling Variety, "I didn’t realize how much I’d missed producing an hour of live television every day." This sentiment underscores the creative energy and the inherent enjoyment that comes from the fast-paced, live production environment, especially when tackling a subject of such personal significance.
Corden further elaborated on the genesis of the show, noting that he and Winston had previously produced a similar late-night talk show format for the UK’s ITV network during the 2010 World Cup. The offer from Rob Wade, CEO of Fox Entertainment, arrived over a year ago. Corden revealed that since concluding "The Late Late Show," he had been inundated with various hosting propositions, most of which held little appeal. However, the chance to provide nightly commentary and analysis on a World Cup tournament being hosted in the United States resonated deeply with him, marking it as a truly special opportunity.
"I wasn’t completely convinced and on the hook, if I’m honest," Corden admitted candidly to Variety. "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 continued, reflecting on his internal debate: "And then the more I thought about it and the more I thought, ‘Man, 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.’" This internal monologue highlights Corden’s pragmatic approach to his career, recognizing the unique appeal of a time-bound project centered on a genuine passion.
The precise timing of "After Hours With James Corden" was, naturally, dictated by the World Cup schedule. However, it appears that the stars aligned perfectly, enabling Corden to reassemble a core group of his "Late Late Show" alumni, facilitating a high level of creative output and camaraderie. The seamless transition back into a live, daily production environment with familiar faces has been a significant factor in the show’s success and Corden’s personal enjoyment.
"The thing that’s made it really, really joyful is how many old faces are back just doing this for five weeks," Corden expressed with evident enthusiasm. "It’s been glorious." This sentiment speaks volumes about the strong bonds formed within his previous production team and the shared dedication to creating compelling content. The temporary nature of the engagement also removes the pressures often associated with long-term commitments, allowing the team to focus solely on delivering an exceptional product for the duration of the tournament.
With the benefit of hindsight and a comfortable distance from his departure from "The Late Late Show" in April 2023, Corden has had the opportunity to reflect on his decision to end the program after an eight-year tenure. He remains immensely proud of the show’s achievements and the lasting legacy it has cultivated. He has, from his vantage point in the UK, observed with keen interest the considerable controversy and political pressures that have enveloped his former CBS stablemate, Stephen Colbert, whose show faced significant challenges exerted by the Trump administration. More recently, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel has also found himself in the crosshairs of political scrutiny and FCC attention.
Corden indicated that he sensed a significant shift in the media landscape even before his own show concluded. "The Late Late Show" wrapped its final episode barely a week before production on many television programs ground to a halt with the commencement of the writers’ strike on May 2, 2023. This timing proved to be remarkably prescient, allowing Corden and his team to avoid the prolonged disruptions that impacted the industry.
Recounting a poignant moment from the final weeks of "The Late Late Show," Corden shared an anecdote from backstage at PaleyFest, where the show was being honored. "I remember when I when ‘The Late Late Show’ was wrapping up, we had about a week to go and very kindly, we’d been invited to talk at the Paleyfest about the show," he recalled. "And I was stood backstage with David Staff, who runs CBS Studios, a wonderful man who I just love and adore, and I consider him a friend still and always will. And we stood backstage and there was this clip reel running on the screen. And, and he said, ‘It’s so sad, isn’t it?’"
Corden’s response to this sentiment revealed a profound understanding of the changing television industry and the pressures facing network executives. "And I said, ‘I don’t think it is sad, actually,’" Corden stated. "I said, ‘If I’d signed that contract that you offered me,’ which took a lot of willpower to walk away from, ‘you’d have come to me and said, "We need to cut $10 million from this budget,"’" he explained. "And 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. And I said, ‘I don’t think it’s sad at all.’" He further elaborated on the stark reality of network economics, noting Staff’s poignant observation: "’Two years? It would have been in six weeks.’ That’s where it was at." This exchange highlights Corden’s astute awareness of the financial constraints and the inevitable impact on creative teams within the network television system. He concluded his reflection with a statement of deep satisfaction: "I feel just incredibly proud of what we did and of what we accomplished when we did it." This perspective underscores his belief that walking away at the peak of the show’s success, rather than facing inevitable budget cuts and potential creative compromises, was the right decision for him and his team.
Listeners can tune into "Daily Variety" on iHeartPodcasts, Apple Podcasts, Variety’s YouTube Podcast channel, Amazon Music, Spotify, and other podcast platforms to hear more insights from James Corden and the world of entertainment. The continued success and enjoyment Corden finds in hosting "After Hours With James Corden" serve as a testament to the power of passion projects and the enduring appeal of a truly engaging personality at the center of a beloved global event.
