A little over a year ago, no one in the U.S. had any idea who Corden was. That is until a video was posted on YouTube under the title “Mariah Carey Carpool Karaoke.” This video now has almost 3 million views, alongside new Carpool Karaoke videos with over 90 million views featuring famous musical artists such as Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Sia, among others.
In this segment, Corden drives in the car with singers or bands. Together, the musical guests sing their original songs alongside Corden.
Junior journalism major Annie Syfert believes that the insight into celebrity personalities makes the segment entertaining.
How did James reach such monumental success with the million-view-per-video segment “Carpool Karaoke”? Some say that the great fame from the segment can be owed to the fact that Corden is so happy and enthusiastic with his guests that it makes the entire video more fun and relatable.
“Corden is really witty, and while other late night shows have become boring and rehearsed, he is funny and genuinely seems to enjoy the guests he has on his show,” Syfert said.
Corden’s enthusiasm makes him relatable, not just because other people also get in the car and sing loudly to whatever is coming out of their sound system but also because Corden knows his guests. He knows the artists, their lyrics, and he connects with each of them individually when they get in the car.
Therefore, itʻs hard not to react positively to Corden as he belts every single memorized lyric along to the songs and the artists who perform them.
Coco Toribio, a senior journalism major, agreed.
“We all act crazy and sing and talk in the car at times,” Toribio said. “It’s just a fun type of environment that’s easy to watch, and it’s different than anything else that other shows have.”
Corden brings something fresh, new, and exciting to the table of comedy.
Cal State Northridge junior communication studies major Isabelle Ohse praised Corden’s ability to avoid negative comedy.
“I like that he is positive, funny, energetic, and doesn’t need to bash celebrities to be funny…His show has a chill, laid back atmosphere. Everyone feels like they belong,” Ohse said.
It really feels like you are in the car with him and whoever his guest is at the time. He is genuinely a fan of whoever he is with in the car, and it shows.
Not to mention, it is also so fun getting to watch him surprise his guests with his fantastic singing voice, which surprises the artists as much as it does most of the viewers. Corden actually won a Tony Award for his performance in a play called “One Man, Two Guvners,” and even began working his way to Hollywood through his role in the film version of “Into the Woods.”
Simply put, Carpool Karaoke has captured the hearts of people around the world.
“I love the rawness of the celebrities and him in the car doing what I always do when I drive in LA—which is singing along to songs. It’s so funny to see. The episodes with One Direction, Biebs and Adele are my favorites,” Ohse said.
On March 23, 2015, British comedian James Corden took over “The Late Late Show” on CBS. Ohse has even decided to intern at “The Late Late Show” this summer.
Carpool Karaoke can give people a new perspective on musicians because this segment allows viewers to see musicians just hanging out and being themselves. It’s down to earth.
If you have never watched “The Late Late Show” and especially Carpool Karaoke, you’re missing out. Watch a video and feel free to belt alongside the musicians.