UK Edition
James Corden to pay tribute to victims of London Bridge attack in British Late Late Show debut
James Corden will pay tribute to the victims of the London Bridge attack during this week's three-night UK version of his American talk show, The Late Late Show. According to the show's producer, Corden reshot the opening sequence of tonight's launch episode in order to address the recent atrocity.
Speaking to Deadline, producer Ben Winston revealed that Corden will "address… how proud we are to be in a city we all love so much," and that the shows will celebrate "everything London" and reflect the "carry on" spirit of Londoners.
He also told BBC News that, "it's important to address what happened this week. We will be doing something to acknowledge the fact that we're filming a mile from where it happened."
Corden has also spoken of his sadness at having to once again reference terrorism in his traditional opening monologue, while pledging to continue to make people laugh. In a clip released by Sky 1 in preparation for the week of shows, Corden said: "I'm so sad when I think about all the times when I took this job that I've had to open our show talking about such atrocities. Trying to find the right words to say is impossible because there are none.
"But this time it felt incredibly close to home. All of our Late Late Show staff were out in London on Saturday night having a great time, and we were all staying in a hotel about two minutes away from where the attack took place.
"Some people might say it's a strange time to do a variety show in this city. I couldn't disagree more. A lot is gonna happen here in the next few days. We're gonna elect a new prime minister, and just behind that building there is the Houses of Parliament, a building that represents democracy, something that the people who carried out this attack hate.
"We're gonna bring the silliest, stupidest, most fun-packed shows we've ever made for you to celebrate London and Britain and everything it has to offer," he continued. "And you know what the people who carried out that attack, they would hate that too.
"I'm so proud to be broadcasting here from my home town. I'm proud to show off its beauty, its diversity, and its stoic British determination to let nothing or anybody stand in our way. This is not a country that feels afraid. It may be the worst weather in the world, but it's still my favourite city."
The three London-shot nights of The Late Late Show, which will be filmed in Central Hall Westminster, will screen from tonight until Friday. Guests will include Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, David Beckham and Harry Styles, along with a special London edition of Carpool Karaoke with Ed Sheeran.