- By Ian Youngs and Kathryn Armstrong
- Entertainment reporter
Watch: James Corden chokes on the final song of the Late Late Show
James Corden has signed off from his US late-night talk show after eight years, with the help of Harry Styles, Will Ferrell and President Joe Biden.
Ferrell and Styles smashed the Late Late Show host’s desk, while Biden sent a video joking that he was “surprised you lasted eight years at any job”.
The British host’s farewell was mixed with laughter and a heartfelt message.
Signing off, he urged US viewers not to give in to people “trying to cause differences” in the country.
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“Moving here to America eight years ago, it was a big step for me and my family,” he said. “My son is three, our daughter is 12 weeks and we already have another little person, and he’s American.
“We started this show with Obama, then Trump, then a global pandemic, and I’ve watched America change over the last eight years. I’ve watched divisions grow and I’ve seen and felt a feeling of negativity growing and at points boiling over.
“And I guess all I want to say tonight is, I’m asking you to remember what America represents to the rest of the world.
“All my life, it’s always been a place of optimism and joy, and yes it has its flaws – a lot. But show me a country that doesn’t.”
‘Find the light’
He added: “Just because someone disagrees with you, it doesn’t make it bad or bad. We’re all more alike than we are different, and there are so many people who try to stir up those differences, and it’s necessary let’s try as hard as we can to find the light, find the joy, because if you do it’s out there.
“And that’s all this show is about. All we want is a little light and levity at the end of your day. Thank you for letting me do this, thank you for letting me into your home. every night .”
Earlier, in his pre-recorded message, the current president told Corden: “I’m going to miss you buddy,” before thanking the presenter for “never making me sing in a car” – a reference to the hit Carpool Karaoke Corden’s segment.
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Ferrell walked onto the set with a sledgehammer and proceeded to smash the desk. Later, Styles finished the job after Corden, in a final game of Spill Your Guts Or Fill Your Guts, was forced to answer which of his two guests he thought was better, and chose the Elf and Anchorman actor .
In the game, where contestants eat disgusting food if they refuse to answer a question, Styles is asked if there will be a One Direction reunion. “I would never say never to that,” replied the singer. “If there was a time when we all felt like that’s what we wanted to do, then I don’t see why we wouldn’t.”
“I take that as a yes!” Corden replied.
The British pop star told Corden she was “so proud of everything you’ve done” and that the presenter had been an “inspiration”.
“Selfishly, I’m very happy that you’re coming home, I love you so much,” he said, before the couple embraced.
Elsewhere on the show, fellow late-night hosts Seth Myers, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon and David Letterman engaged in a sketch in which they discussed Corden’s retirement plans and debated who will take to Carpool Karaoke.
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There was also a segment where Corden and Tom Cruise played Timon and Pumbaa in a Los Angeles production of The Lion King.
Before his final episode aired, Corden told BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show: “It’s weird, I’ve never really felt like this before.
“I just knew in my core that it was the right thing to do for so many personal and professional reasons.”
Corden took over the late-night talk show from comedian and actor Craig Ferguson in 2015.
He told the BBC he did not expect it to be a success, describing the experience as a “glorious ride”.
Previous guests on the show have included Sir Paul McCartney, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Justin Bieber, Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey.
There have also been return visits from the likes of Josh Gad, Gal Gadot, Mila Kunis, the Jonas Brothers and Billie Eilish.
While Corden is known for his hilarious on-screen hosting, he has become a divisive personality and was temporarily banned from a New York restaurant last year because the owner was “very mean” to the staff. The actor later apologized.
