LOS ANGELES (AP) – James Corden began his foray as the “Late Late Show” host with a schoolboy’s giggle and a bid to endear himself to viewers as a nice English bloke looking for a little American TV love.
Guests Tom Hanks and Mila Kunis joined the cause Monday, with videotaped cameos from celebrities including Meryl Streep, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jay Leno.
“I know what you’re thinking: ‘Oh, look, Andy Richter’s got his own show,'” Corden said as he strode onto the CBS Television City stage.
The reference to Conan O’Brien’s sidekick wasn’t far afield: Corden and Richter both are round-faced, egg-shaped and genial. But this time, the apparent second banana is the star and part of CBS’ new late-night guard that will include Stephen Colbert as successor to “Late Show” host David Letterman.
The British-born Corden has the credentials for top billing, with TV sitcom hits in his native country including “Gavin & Stacey,” a Tony Award for “One Man, Two Guvnors” on Broadway and a big-screen role in “Into the Woods.”