,By Aaron Miler-
James Corden(pictured) has used a farewell speech on the final episode of his CBS talkshow to address the deep political and ideological rifts in America.
“We started this show with Obama, then Trump and a global pandemic. I’ve watched America change a lot. I’ve watched divisions grow and I’ve felt a sense of negativity boil over,” said Corden in his last appearance as host of The Late Late Show.
He implored his audience to “remember what America signifies to the rest of the world. My entire life it has always been a place of optimism … Yes, it has flaws but show me a place that doesn’t. Show me a person that doesn’t.”
“We are all more the same than we are different. There are so many people who are trying to stoke those differences and we have to try as best we can to look for the light, look for the joy. If you do, it’s out there. That’s all this show has ever been about,” he said.
Corden announced one year ago that he would be ending his late-night show after eight seasons, citing a desire to return to the UK to be closer to family and loved ones. His parents were seated in the audience for the final taping, and his sisters, he joked, were in town too, but at a bar instead.
Harry Styles and Will Ferrell were Corden’s final guests on the programme. Styles has been a frequent visitor to the show, and has even guest-hosted twice.
“As a friend, I’m so incredibly proud of you,” Styles told Corden. “On a personal note, you’ve been a safe space to me always as a friend.”
He added that he was “selfishly very excited that you’re coming home.” Styles, Corden and Ferrell then embraced in a group hug.
On Thursday CBS also aired a primetime special called “The Last Last Late Late Show Special” with taped segments featuring Tom Cruise and Adele.
There were also goodbyes from other late night hosts. Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert and David Letterman all appeared in a pre-taped segment with Corden. They joked that since Corden was ending his show, they could each call dibs on one of his segments.
They all chose Carpool Karaoke, referencing Corden’s most popular sketch in which he drives around Los Angeles with celebrities and sing songs. Paul McCartney, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder and Chris Martin all appeared in previous sketches.
Corden ended the show by playing piano and singing a song with the crew and staff gathered around the stage.
“Part of me thinks I should stay here forever but deep in my heart I just know,” Corden sang. “No more shows to be showing, it’s time I was going. It’s time. Thanks for watching, that’s our show.”
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Moving here to America eight years ago, it was a huge leap for me and my family,” he said. “My son was three, our daughter was 12 weeks old and we now have another small person, and she’s American.
“We started this show with Obama, then Trump, then a global pandemic, and I’ve watched America change a lot over these past eight years. I’ve watched divisions grow and I’ve seen and I’ve felt a sense of negativity grow and at points boil over.
“And I guess all I really want to say tonight is, I implore you to remember what America signifies to the rest of the world.
“My entire life, it has always been a place of optimism and joy, and yes it has flaws – so many. But show me a country that doesn’t.”
He added: “Just because somebody disagrees with you it doesn’t make them bad or evil. We are all more the same than we are different, and there are so many people who are trying to stoke those differences, and we have to try as best we can to look for the light, look for the joy, because if you do it’s out there.
“And that’s all this show has ever been about. All we’ve ever wanted is just be a little bit of 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 Corden’s hit Carpool Karaoke segment.