James Corden ends his eight-year stint on The Late Late Show with appearances from Tom Cruise, Harry Styles and Adele
James Corden said “it’s been life-changing” as he signed off from his final episode of The Late Late Show, after eight years at the helm.
His final show also featured A-list guests, such as Tom Cruise, Harry Styles, Adele and Will Ferrell.
In a prime-time special, Corden performed his own version of Last Dance by Donna Summer, where he sang: “Let’s blow CBS’ dough one last time – go big or go home on my last day in the sunshine.”
Once behind his desk, he told the audience: “This is a surreal day for all of us here, it’s crazy to me what we’ve done. We’ve done 1,200 Late Late Shows in the last eight years, and we are reaching the end.
“I want to take this minute right now in prime time to thank everybody who has worked here on the show with this family, this team, I love you so much. I will miss you.”
In the show, Cruise, who in the past has challenged Corden to take part in death-defying stunts with him, joined the host in a Broadway theatre, where they performed a surprise rendition of Can You Feel The Love Tonight from The Lion King, to a stunned audience.
Corden later thanked Cruise for being part of his show, to which the actor replied with his famous line from Jerry Maguire: “Shut up. You had me at hello.”
His prime-time special also showed his final Carpool Karaoke with Adele, where they duetted on tracks such as Rolling In The Deep and Funny Girl’s Don’t Rain On My Parade.
Corden confessed to the Essex-native singer in the skit: “It’s been a brilliant adventure, but I’m just so certain for us as a family, with people getting older and people that we miss, it’s time to go home.”
Elsewhere, President Joe Biden left a video message for Corden, referencing their sketch from last year’s White House Correspondent’s Dinner, and fellow late-night chat show hosts Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel also appeared in a skit where they attempted to convince Corden to stay on.
Read more:
Corden’s most memorable chat show moments
Will Ferrell and Harry Styles joined Corden in his final episode, with both having made multiple appearances on the programme since it began and the latter even having guest hosted.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Styles, talking about his highlights of the show, referenced a dodgeball bit by saying, “I got hit in the nuts by Michelle Obama.”
Meanwhile, Step Brothers star Ferrell smashed Corden’s desk with a sledgehammer.
The trio played a brief game of “Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts” – a segment where guests are encouraged to reveal secrets and opinions, or face a disgusting food item instead.
During the game, Styles refused to rule out a One Direction reunion at some point in the future – but some may be left disappointed as the rumoured reuniting of the group on Corden’s final show never materialised.
James Corden, Jane Krakowski and Josh Gad filming a segment for his final show. Pic: AP
In his final goodbye, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Corden said: “It’s been life-changing.
“All we’ve ever wanted is just be a little bit of light, of levity at the end of your day. Thank you for letting me do this.”
He then played the show out on the piano, with those in the room saying he had to re-record one line in the middle, after getting emotional during the performance.
During his stint on the programme, he has interviewed some of the biggest celebrities in the world, including the Obamas and even Prince Harry.
There has been no announcement as to who might replace him as host of the long-running chat show.
Indian actor Dhanush says he has been left “completely disturbed” by the re-release of one of his hit films with an alternative ending assisted by AI – but the production company behind it has rejected criticism of the move.
Hindi-language romantic drama Raanjhanaa, called Ambikapathy in its Tamil-language title, has made headlines over its re-release 12 years after first hitting cinemas in 2013.
Eros Media World says the new version, which sees the film’s original ending switched to a happier one, is a “lawful and creative reinterpretation, not a replacement”, and that the change and use of artificial intelligence has been made clear to viewers.
The company says the alternate ending was “crafted under the direction of a human creative team using AI only as an assistive tool – not as an autonomous content generator”.
In a statement sent to Sky News, group chief executive Pradeep Dwivedi said the studio wanted to offer “fresh dimensions for audiences” and never intended “to undermine the original essence” of the film.
However, the AI-assisted re-release has already drawn criticism from the film’s director Aanand L Rai, and now its star Dhanush has released a statement to say the “AI-altered climax” had left him “completely disturbed”.
“This alternate ending has stripped the film of its very soul, and the concerned parties went ahead with it despite my clear objection,” Dhanush said in a message posted on X. “This is not the film I committed to 12 years ago.”
Dhanush said the use of AI to alter films or other content “is a deeply concerning precedent for both art and artists” that “threatens the integrity of storytelling and the legacy of cinema”.
He added: “I sincerely hope that stricter regulations are put in place to prevent such practices in the future.”
Read more from Sky News:
Oasis ‘shocked and saddened’ after man dies at Wembley gig
Coldplay’s viral kiss cam set to feature in UK shows
Jewish comedian says she has new venue for Fringe
Eros said Dhanush’s “wonderful performance” in the role of Kundan had brought the character to life “in an unforgettable way”. However, the studio said the actor’s team had been aware of the plans before the re-release and that they had received “no formal objection”.
“While we acknowledge and respect differing views on the use of AI in film, our aim has been to explore how technology can complement storytelling and offer fresh dimensions for audiences – never to undermine the original essence of a film,” Mr Dwivedi said. “The original Raanjhanaa and Ambikapathy remains much loved and widely available, and the IP is fully preserved.”
He added: “Just as storytelling evolves, so too does music – and with responsible use of AI, even the most iconic soundtracks are being respectfully reimagined as remixes to resonate with new generations while preserving their original soul.
“We deeply respect the creative community and remain committed to collaborating in ways that ensure mutual respect, innovation, and progress for the cinematic arts. As one of India’s most storied film studios, Eros remains committed to celebrating Indian cinema, nurturing talent, and embracing technology responsibly.”
Dhanush’s comments come after statements posted by Rai, who has described the re-release as “a betrayal” to the original that has been “dressed up as innovation”.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “This was never just a film to us. It was shaped by human hands, human flaws, and human feeling. What’s now being circulated is not a tribute. It is a reckless takeover that strips the work of its intent, its context, and its soul.”
Responding to the director’s criticism, Mr Dwivedi reiterated that the re-release is “a respectful creative reinterpretation – clearly labelled and separate from the original version” and said such practices are “common in global cinema, and reflect our long-standing commitment to innovation, audience engagement, and cultural preservation”.
He also highlighted an ongoing legal dispute between Eros and Colour Yellow Productions, the studio co-founded by Rai.
Strikes by video game actors ended in June after starting last year. File pic: AP
The re-release comes as artificial intelligence continues to cause concern among some in the creative industries. In June, video game actors in the US ended a strike after nearly a year of industrial action over the use of AI by game studios – an issue that was also part of the concerns raised by the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023.
Earlier this year, Oscar-nominated film The Brutalist made headlines for using the technology to “refine” Hungarian accents.
It has also been used for de-aging stars such as Harrison Ford for the latest Indiana Jones film and Tom Hanks in the 2024 picture Here – and for helping to create “the last Beatles record” featuring John Lennon’s vocals, released in 2023.
There is a “good side” to the technology but also a “scary side”, Sir Paul McCartney has said, adding: “We will just have to see where that leads.”
Oasis have said they are “shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan” at their Wembley Stadium concert on Saturday.
Together with their bandmates, Liam and Noel Gallagher have offered their “sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved”.
Metropolitan Police said officers on duty at the stadium responded, alongside venue medics and the London Ambulance Service, to reports a person had been injured at around 10.20pm.
The statement continued: “A man – aged in his 40s – was found with injuries consistent with a fall. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.”
According to media reports, the man fell from the stadium’s upper tier.
A concertgoer on social media said they saw the incident and described it as “horrific”.
Liam and Noel Gallagher on stage at their first reunion gig. Pic: AP
Metropolitan Police said: “The stadium was busy, and we believe it is likely a number of people witnessed the incident, or may knowingly or unknowingly have caught it on mobile phone video footage.
“If you have any information that could help us to confirm what happened, please call 101.”
Oasis performed at the venue as planned on Sunday night, delivering the final concert of a five-night run at Wembley.
Addressing fans at the stadium, singer Liam said: “This one’s for all the people who can’t be here tonight, but who are here if you know what I mean, and aren’t they looking lovely. Live Forever.”
The band then played the track of the same name.
Read more:
Car finance compensation scheme being considered
Storm to bring 90mph winds to the UK
Oasis support act Richard Ashcroft paid tribute on Instagram, writing: “I was shocked to hear of the death of one of the audience last night sending my love to the family and friends.”
A spokesperson for Wembley Stadium said: “Our thoughts go out to his family, who have been informed and are being supported by specially trained police officers.”
They will then head to Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States, before returning to Wembley for two more dates in September.
The reunion tour began at the start of July and marks the Gallagher brothers’ first performances together since Oasis split acrimoniously in 2009.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports2 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike