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How James Corden tore up the talk show rule book with a sofa shuffle How James Corden tore up the talk show rule book with a sofa shuffle
(35 minutes later)
James Corden took the US by storm this week, with his debut as host of The Late, Late Show, and, boy, did he rip up the chat-show rule book. He brought his chair out from behind the host’s desk to be closer to his guests – Mila Kunis and Tom Hanks – who shared the sofa. And Corden sat on the left of the screen, if you please. Every other late-night American chatmeister sits screen-right and brings their guests out one by one. But why do we expect these shows to stick to such rigid set-ups? James Corden took the US by storm this week, with his debut as host of The Late Late Show, and, boy, did he rip up the chat-show rule book. He brought his chair out from behind the host’s desk to be closer to his guests – Mila Kunis and Tom Hanks – who shared the sofa. And Corden sat on the left of the screen, if you please. Every other late-night American chatmeister sits screen-right and brings their guests out one by one. But why do we expect these shows to stick to such rigid set-ups?
Related: James Corden's Late, Late Show: winning debut with room for improvementRelated: James Corden's Late, Late Show: winning debut with room for improvement
In the UK, we do muck about with the form, but still within very tight confines. Graham Norton, who also favours a screen-left position, introduces all of his guests at the top of the show and they gamely herd on to the stage, air-kissing and shuffling to their designated bit of the sofa. It’s a great leveller and always makes for unlikely guest interaction. One industry insider, who prefers to remain anonymous but who has worked on several primetime shows, told me this all-in policy caused trouble in the show’s early days.In the UK, we do muck about with the form, but still within very tight confines. Graham Norton, who also favours a screen-left position, introduces all of his guests at the top of the show and they gamely herd on to the stage, air-kissing and shuffling to their designated bit of the sofa. It’s a great leveller and always makes for unlikely guest interaction. One industry insider, who prefers to remain anonymous but who has worked on several primetime shows, told me this all-in policy caused trouble in the show’s early days.
“They would often lose guests because people didn’t want to be on the sofa with others,” he says. “They’re reaping the dividends now because, of course, it’s not like any other show. Biographical interviews are a bit over now. What people are watching for is the interaction.”“They would often lose guests because people didn’t want to be on the sofa with others,” he says. “They’re reaping the dividends now because, of course, it’s not like any other show. Biographical interviews are a bit over now. What people are watching for is the interaction.”
It does make for infinitely better television, but chat shows are never the most relaxing of shop windows for an interviewee. The set, and more importantly the furniture, plays a big part. Corden has gone for a wheelie chair to enable a bit of cheeky personal space invasion, in keeping with his shtick. Stuck behind a desk for the whole show, he’d look like a sixth former who’d snuck into the headmaster’s office. It does make for infinitely better television, but chat shows are never the most relaxing of shop windows for an interviewee. The set, and more importantly the furniture, plays a big part. Corden has gone for a wheelie chair to enable a bit of cheeky personal space invasion, in keeping with his shtick. Stuck behind a desk for the whole show, he’d look like a sixth former who’d snuck into the headmaster’s office.
Related: James Corden's TV show could learn from Simon AmstellRelated: James Corden's TV show could learn from Simon Amstell
My insider says the eternal chair/sofa/desk conundrum dogs chat-show production: “We got one complaint about how the sofa was lower than the host’s chair, therefore he was asserting his patriarchal control over guests by sitting in a chair higher up than them.” You can’t win. And while female guests often take the opportunity to wear their snazziest attire, it can sometimes add to the awkwardness. The insider again: “It’s really hard to find a way to make people look comfortable. So often women, if they’re wearing a nice dress, will have to perch on the edge of the sofa because, if they sit back, it will ruin the line of their dress. Or show off their sponge.” I’ve not heard it called that before, but he has a point.My insider says the eternal chair/sofa/desk conundrum dogs chat-show production: “We got one complaint about how the sofa was lower than the host’s chair, therefore he was asserting his patriarchal control over guests by sitting in a chair higher up than them.” You can’t win. And while female guests often take the opportunity to wear their snazziest attire, it can sometimes add to the awkwardness. The insider again: “It’s really hard to find a way to make people look comfortable. So often women, if they’re wearing a nice dress, will have to perch on the edge of the sofa because, if they sit back, it will ruin the line of their dress. Or show off their sponge.” I’ve not heard it called that before, but he has a point.
Everyone’s on camera, on best behaviour and trying to hit some very specific marks while appearing spontaneous and casual. Anyone who can make that look easy deserves a big hand and so far, the early signs are good for Corden’s tenure. Everyone’s on camera, on best behaviour and trying to hit some very specific marks while appearing spontaneous and casual. Anyone who can make that look easy deserves a big hand and so far, the early signs are good for Corden’s tenure.