TV Ratings: James Corden’s ‘Late Late Show’ Ends on Up Note

The star-studded final episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden resulted in a significant viewership boost.

Thursday’s episode, the last of Corden’s eight-year run at CBS, drew 1.43 million viewers in the 12:35 a.m. timeslot, based on rapid national ratings from Nielsen. That’s a jump of 77 percent The late late show’The season average of 806,000 viewers and the largest audience for Corden’s show since it aired after the NFL’s AFC Championship game in January 2021.

a Carpool Karaoke primetime special at 10 p.m. drew 3.65 million people, up from 2.77 million for the last primetime special (in May 2019) with the returning Let Let Show segment. Rapid national ratings exclude outdoor viewing, which could push the above numbers up a bit.

The last Let Let Show with Harry Styles and Will Ferrell as guests in the studio, Corden joined Tom Cruise to play Timon and Pumbaa in a performance of The lionking at LA’s Pantages Theater, and the last Carpool Karaoke segment with Adele. The latter has been viewed more than 13 million times on YouTube since it was posted on Monday.

“I will always be honestly blown away that this was something I was ever asked to do,” Corden shared The Hollywood Reporter on a final tour of his Television City set and office. “I don’t look like I should be hosting a late night talk show. I’m not a broadcaster. And I’ve never done a stand-up set in my life.”