With the news that James Corden is likely to take over for Craig Ferguson as host of CBS’s “The Late Late Show,” the big question isn’t why, but who?
Ferguson wasn’t a big name in the US when he started his late-night gig in 2005, but at least the Scottish native had been a regular on “The Drew Carey Show,” and toured the country with his stand-up act.
Corden, on the other hand, is mostly familiar to Brit-ophiles and New York theatergoers — two dedicated but narrow constituencies.
Oh, and let’s not forget fans of England’s sucky soccer team, thanks to his co-starring on the squad’s 2010 World Cup anthem, “Shout for England,” with Dizzee Rascal.
Corden, 35, made his name writing the 2007 to 1010 Britcom “Gavin & Stacey,” in which he also played Gavin’s friend Smithy.
Over the past 10 years or so, he’s hit pretty much all the British bases, from hosting the BRIT Awards to guest spots on “Doctor Who.”
Most recently, American viewers could check out his six-episode series “The Wrong Mans” on Hulu Plus.
He’ll also be seen soon as the Baker in the upcoming movie musical “Into the Woods.”
But Corden’s biggest triumph so far has been onstage, in the frantic farce “One Man, Two Guvnors,” a huge hit both in London and on Broadway.
His unhinged, improv-heavy performance bagged him the 2012 Tony for Best Actor against heavy-hitters Philip Seymour Hoffman, James Earl Jones, Frank Langella and John Lithgow.
Of all his projects, this is the one that must have won over the “Late Late Show” people: The play established that Corden, a tireless ham, could sing, dance and pratfall his way out of any situation.
He even went rogue in nightly interactions with the audience.
So yeah, here we go again with another white dude behind a late-night desk.
But this one could prove to be a keeper.