The Last Late Late Show: Chapter 4 — The Pandemic

We're celebrating eight years of The Late Late Show with James Corden with a 6-part documentary about the show's history from its inception to the finale. Part Four looks at the innumerable challenges COVID-19 presented and how the pandemic, in some ways, forever changed how we made The Late Late Show.

Stay tuned for Chapter 5 and our finale Chapter 6!

More Late Late Show:

Watch The Late Late Show with James Corden weeknights at 12:35 AM ET/11:35 PM CT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

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Each week night, THE LATE LATE SHOW with JAMES CORDEN throws the ultimate late night after party with a mix of celebrity guests, edgy musical acts, games and sketches. Corden differentiates his show by offering viewers a peek behind-the-scenes into the green room, bringing all of his guests out at once and lending his musical and acting talents to various sketches. Additionally, bandleader Reggie Watts and the house band provide original, improvised music throughout the show. Since Corden took the reigns as host in March 2015, he has quickly become known for generating buzzworthy viral videos, such as Carpool Karaoke."

[Dan-Simms]

The banter with the crew during the time with no audience was some of the best of late night in history. Wild times, so many laughs, and during a time where laughs were very much needed.

[dougcaron]

The crew as the audience were some of the best episodes ever and helped keep me grounded. I laughed harder than I ever did during their eight years on air.

[acimand]

It's important to say that many of us who don't watch these TV shows on actual television, and only watch them via YouTube, probably truly fell in love with the Late Late Show with James Corden with the audience-less monologues. James interacting with his crew created my need to watch the monologues on YouTube the first thing every morning. It was the first time that I truly realized when a late night TV host would go on vacation, because I missed those clips so much. Whereas I didn't ever realize when the other hosts went on vacation, as their monologues weren't a ritual for me.

Which also means that this is the first time I am truly sad that a TV host has retired, and I have felt it ever since. The fact that the WGA also chose to strike the next week and it impacted all other TV hosts just highlighted how much I only miss the James Corden monologues...

[jeffdavis]

Was never an avid watcher of the show prior to COVID. During COVID I paid for a Youtube Premium account and watched a LOT of videos daily. This show became the first show I watched every morning. I never missed the news clip that was posted. The evolution of the show as it transitioned out of Covid was fantastic. LOVE it and will miss James.

[rachelmedling]

The shows with no audience were the first time in my life I watched a talk show every day. PEAK comedy and joy. I loved all the inside jokes and the banter :)

[mrdrevilporkchop]

I watched every single covid YouTube monologue with the pre-banter and he’s right, genuinely felt like it was watching some friends banter and just be silly. Truly special and unique and something none of the other late shows have come close to emulating

[thechillindude]

The Garage shows were usually tough to watch, but man as soon as they got back into the studio it turned into the best late show ever and I was usually in tears of laughter

[vaibhavmangal]

Remember when Nick specifically asked them not to name any brand… but they still did and then GAP sent the merchandise to all the crew and they all flaunt it… Man.. It was so hilarious.. I have w big smile on my face while writing this… what wonderful time we all had because of you guys..

[JasmineKot]

Your pandemic episodes in studio were the greatest! Fins up baby!

[shantelleb]

Im in tears. This show literally got me through the pandemic, you have no idea. And the post garage banter with staff is just on a whole other level. I will miss it so much. Some of the best episodes ever. Glad they are on Youtube forever to go and rewatch. Fins Up Forever!!!!

[navinsubba]

I really enjoyed the show during the pandemic. From Steve's news jingle to Ian's talking part, roasting of Nick, all was fun. James' show is unique for bringing new unique segments for entertainment. Hope James will continue to entertain people in some form.

[ElizabethSwift]

The shows without an audience were the best. I loved them.

[nadt]

I personally think they were life saving and I thank each and every one of you for keeping us entertained. I watched them all 2, 3 or 4 times.

[derrickmukasa]

Y’all don’t know how much you helped people like me. I was living in Thailand ( I am a Ugandan) and the lockdowns in Southeast Asia had No COVID deniers. It was full on lockdown. As a newly married, stepdad at a new job as an online high school teacher, that after working show was everything ( we got the show in the afternoon, the following day). So late late show to me meant switch off zoom and Google classroom and let your amazing life begin with the team( I somehow thought I was part of the team 😂). I loved the real life stories. I learned names of people other than the host, that is not common with TV shows. You did a great service to many of us. Much love and good luck wherever your next step takes you. #still waiting for the cruise ship shows.

I now moved to Brazil… close time zone… and you decided to end the show 😢… bad bad boy… I blame it all on the Senior Vice President of Late Night Programming at CBS… who has No junior vice president. Much love team.❤

[pollykent]

I started watching LLS on youtube during the lockdown. You folks really became like friends in my mind and seeing you laughing and joking every day, especially after you got back in the studio but still had no audience, really helped me through that time. I remember very clearly many of those moments that you shared in this video. Thanks so very much for bringing us all so much laughter and camaraderie!

[a.c.]

Please keep these coming! They are a bright spot to my day!! 🥰

[sylvias]

I started watching online right when the garage shows ended. The atmosphere and friendly banter with this crew just made me a fan. I usually just watch the monos, don’t even care about the interviews and I am so sad it’s over. This felt genuine and real -one of the kind.

[hjwang]

Arguably one of the few shows that have been evolved towards perfection especially during covid times. Their work and efforts have been remarkable. I could confidently say this show had been a big part during that quarentine of mine.

[PocketsFullOfCrunch]

The show with no audience and just the staff is probably the best late night tv in the past decade

[floodedcamera]

Covid changed this show for me. A group of friends hanging out without any filter. This was the best of late night comedy for me especially during those tough times. Everyone who was part of the show became familiar to us. Will miss you all !