by James Corden used part of his farewell speech on Thursday’s final episode of CBS’s “The Late Late Show” to address the deep division in the United States over burning issues including politics and ideology.
“We started this show with Obama, then Trump, and a global pandemic. I have seen America change a lot. I have seen the divisions grow and I have felt a sense of negativity overflowing,” said the presenter. He implored his audience to “remember what America means to the rest of the world. My entire life has always been a place of optimism. …Yes, it’s flawed, but show me a place that isn’t. Show me a person who doesn’t.
“Just because someone disagrees with you doesn’t make them mean or evil. We are all more alike than different. There are so many people who are trying to fan those differences and we have to try our best to find the light, to find the joy. If it does, it’s out there. That’s what this show has been about,” he said.
Corden announced a year ago that he would end his late-night show after eight seasons, citing a desire to return to his native UK to be closer to family and loved ones. Her parents were sitting in the audience for the final recording, and her sisters, she joked, were also in town, but at a bar instead.
Also on Thursday, CBS aired a primetime special called “The Last Last Late Late Show Special” featuring segments recorded with Tom Cruise (where they performed stunts and sang a duet of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “The Lion King”). and Adele. , where they recorded a final segment of Carpool Karaoke.
Corden reminded the singer that she has an Emmy, a Grammy and an Oscar and wondered if she would ever actively pursue a Tony award. “You have the EGO,” she said.
“I really don’t think that’s ever going to happen. I would never write a musical or anything because (expletive) I hate musicals,” Adele said with a laugh. “I also think the EGO suits me better.”
Harry Styles and Will Ferrell were Corden’s final guests.
Styles has been a frequent visitor to the show and has even guest-hosted twice. He has been on several recordings with Corden, including the time the host directed a music video for Styles’ song “Daylight” for just $300 and when the musician took part in an 11+ minute segment featuring a UK Vs. American dodgeball in which Corden, Styles, “Games of Thrones” actor James Bradley and Benedict Cumberbatch faced players like Michelle Obama, Mila Kunis, Kate Hudson, Lena Waithe and Melissa McCarthy.
“As a friend, I’m incredibly proud of you,” Styles told Corden. “On a personal note, you have always been a safe space for me as a friend.” He added that he was “selfishly excited to have you coming home.” Styles, Corden, and Ferrell then embraced each other in a group hug.
There were also farewells from the other evening hosts. Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert and David Letterman appeared in a pre-recorded segment with Corden. They joked that since Corden was wrapping up his show, they could each call dibs on one of his segments.
They all chose Carpool Karaoke, referencing Corden’s most popular sketch, where he drives around Los Angeles with celebrities and sings songs. Paul McCartney, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder and Chris Martin are some of his Carpool Karaoke passengers. The segment was so successful that it became her own series for Apple. Corden only appeared in the debut episode with Will Smith in the car.
Corden closed out the night by playing the piano and singing a song with the crew and staff gathered around the stage. “Part of me thinks I should stay here forever, but deep down in my heart I know,” Corden sang. “No more shows to show, it’s time for me to go, it’s time. Thanks for watching, that’s our show.”
