'The Late Late Show' Host James Corden and Producers Talk About This Most Unusual Year (Panel Discussion)

I recently chatted with the creative team Behind "The Late Late Show with James Corden" for the Producers Guild of America. The panelists were host James Corden and executive producers Ben Winston and Rob Crabbe. We talked about producing the show in the age of COVID, their signature moments and much, much more. Watch above!

Final Upfronts Wrap-Up: Priyanka Chopra, Mariah Carey, James Corden and Nicki Minaj Take Over New York

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Another week in New York for the annual network upfronts -- when the big dogs pimp their new TV wares to advertisers -- ended over a week ago. And as I wrote for Indiewire, the big story of the year was broadcast networks acting, well, like broadcast networks again.

It feels like a rather antiquated practice, yet the broadcast networks still pull in around $9 billion annually -- so it's still a pretty big deal. We don't obsess about the schedules quite as much as we used to, but it's still a fun part of the pomp and circumstance. The networks still put on a show for advertisers -- including Adult Swim's annual late-night Wednesday event, which this year featured Nicki Minaj (above). More highlights from the week:


James Corden does a "Hamilton" parody at the CBS upfront.


Priyanka Chopra opens the ABC upfront.


CBS gives us a sneak peek of the new "Star Trek" series' logo.


Fitz and the Tantrums performs at The CW upfront.


Mariah Carey makes a grand entrance at the NBC upfront.


Kiefer Sutherland introduces his new series "Designated Survivor" at the ABC upfront.


ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey introduces Jimmy Kimmel.


Fox jabs at CBS, notes that "Gotham's" new villain was "Lex Moonves."


NBC Universal stars at the upfront pose behind Kate McKinnon (as Ellen DeGeneres), parodying Ellen's Oscar selfie.


At the Fox upfront, Homer Simpson reminds us that "The Simpsons" will hit an astounding 600 episodes next year.


The "Downward Dog" looms over ABC stars.


"Hamilton" was hot this upfront. Jimmy Fallon did his own parody as well.


Rachel Bloom and Gina Rodriguez on stage at the CW upfront.


Stephen Colbert at Carnegie Hall for CBS' upfront.


The cast of "Empire" performs at Fox's upfront.


The cast of "The Big Bang Theory" offer up "Star Trek" suggestions to new CBS Entertainment president Glenn Geller.


"Supergirl" star Melissa Benoist hits The CW stage with stars of "Arrow," "The Flash" and "DC's Legends of Tomorrow."

THE SPIN-OFF: "The Late Late Show with James Corden" Executive Producer on Carpool Karaoke and Conquering the U.S. in Year One

On the latest edition of KCRW's The Spin-Off, Joe and I chat with "The Late Late Show with James Corden" executive producer Ben Winston about the late-night show's tremendous first year:

Ben Winston's career in television can be traced back to one specific moment when his sister pushed him to take an unpaid, far-away TV internship over a cushy sports management job.

Now the executive producer of The Late, Late Show with James Corden on CBS, Winston takes us through his career, from first meeting Corden years ago to directing a documentary to working with One Direction and Simon Cowell.

He also reflects on the first year of The Late, Late Show, tells us why YouTube numbers matter for a late night show, and gives us his dream list of future Carpool Karaoke singers (which, sadly, included Prince).

Listen below!

Dolly Parton, Stephen Colbert and Half-Naked Miley Cyrus: Scenes from the 2015 Network Upfronts

It's been a few weeks now since network upfronts--the week in May when the broadcast networks (and a few cable ones as well) showcase their new shows for advertisers in New York. It's a hectic week, shuffling from one venue to the next, frequently staying out late and keeping tabs on everything that's been picked up, renewed and canceled. But there's plenty of room for surreal moments too--like Miley Cyrus (above) performing, half-naked, at Adult Swim's annual Wednesday night event. (Acts like Outkast, Jay Z, T.I. and M.I.A. have performed there in the past.)

Here are more visual highlights of the network presentations:



If anyone was still worried whether the real Stephen Colbert could be as engaging as the obnoxious "Stephen Colbert" he played on Comedy Central, the host's appearance at CBS' upfront presentation ended those fears. (There was always a lot of the real Colbert in the character he played anyway.) Funny, smart, sharp, engaging... I can't wait to see what he does when "Late Show with Stephen Colbert" premieres on Sept. 8.



C'mon, here he is, parodying Kim Kardashian's Paper magazine cover! What more do you want?



Fine, you want a photo of Colbert sitting next to Leslie Moonves as they wear fake, thick, dark black beards? OK, you're weird. But here you go.



Not too long ago, Fox would highlight "American Idol" throughout its upfront presentation. This year, it was, "American What? Oh yeah, it's canceled after next year. BUT HAVE WE MENTIONED 'EMPIRE'?!!!!" No surprise, Fox wrapped itself in "Empire," and of course they did. It's a tremendous smash. And there's no way we were going to leave the Beacon Theater until the cast came out and sang. And yes they did -- Yazz, Jussie, plus Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. (No "Drip Drop," though!!!)



And nevermind "Idol," when Jennifer Hudson (who, you may recall, didn't win her year on the talent show) blew away the audience during the "Empire" segment.



Dolly Mothereffing Parton came out during the NBC upfront and showed the audience why she's still a legend. (NBC will be airing movies based on her life.)



In an upfront first, NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt accompanied Parton on piano. Dolly told the audience about Bob's dinner parties, and how they always end up around the piano. I'd do almost anything to see that.



Chris Carter, David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson. X-Files. Boom.



Also a first CBS upfront for James Corden, whose new "Late Late Show" is already earning critical acclaim and generating plenty of social buzz. CBS execs are very, very pleased.



This man should be pleased. The most powerful host in late night, Jimmy Fallon.



At the CW upfront: Gina Rodriguez and the cast of "Jane the Virgin" are having a moment.



Also at the CW: Stephen Amell ("Arrow") and Grant Gustin ("The Flash") are having another moment.



The CW president Mark Pedowitz, flanked by the cast of the new "Arrow"/"Flash" spinoff "DC's Legends of Tomorrow." Coming midseason.



The CW brings a hot music act to its upfront every year. This time, Of Monsters and Men perfomed.

And OK, here you go. More Miley. Listen, she's nutty, often high and can get pretty unnecessarily vulgar. But then she does have a strong voice, and a commanding presence. (The Flaming Lips joined her on stage at one point, but she easily overshadowed them). Some more pics:

MIKE ON KCRW: Diversity, "Downton Abbey," James Corden, Trevor Noah

On this Monday's edition of The Business, Kim Masters and I bantered about several topics including:

- It's TV pilot season, and a piece in Deadline about diversity in casting and whether or not its gone "too far" has caused quite a reaction within the industry.

- James Corden charms audiences and secures strong ratings as the new host of The Late Late Show on CBS.

- The sun will set on the game-changing historical soap-opera Downton Abbey after six seasons on PBS, but there could still be a Downton movie some time after the TV show wraps.

Listen by clicking below:





On last Thursday's Hollywood Breakdown, Kim Masters and I talked all about the end of "Downton Abbey" and the rise of James Corden:

The drama that changed the game for PBS, historical soap opera Downton Abbey, will end the series after an upcoming sixth and final season, but the impact of the show will be felt long after the Crawley family says goodbye. With its shorter contracts for actors and limited seasons, Downton Abbey changed the way television is produced, and opened the door for more international productions to find a place on American TV screens. And as Downton sees its final days, another Brit, James Corden is just getting acquainted with Americans as the new host of The Late Late Show on CBS. His debut week has seen strong ratings and brings a more British style of talk show to US shores. The show also introduces the musical and comedic stylings of Reggie Watts to a more mainstream audience.

Listen below:





On Monday's Press Play with Madeleine Brand, Grantland's Andy Greenwald and I discussed:

Comedy Central announced that South African comic Trevor Noah will replace Jon Stewart as host of the Daily Show when Stewart steps down later this year. Also, a controversial article wonders: Do actors of color have it too easy in Hollywood?

Listen below:

From the Archives of TV Guide Magazine: The 1995 Launch of "The Late Late Show"

For TV Guide Magazine I recently spoke with James Corden, the new host of CBS' "The Late Late Show." We had a fun chat in his Television City office, and of course, his charm offensive worked beautifully. Self-effacing, quick-witted and a seemingly nice bloke, you can't help but root for the guy. Read my Q&A with him at TV Insider here.

Meanwhile, from the pages of TV Guide Magazine, here's how we covered the January 9, 1995 launch of the original "The Late Late Show," hosted by Tom Snyder: