James Corden’s Gay ‘Prom’ Portrayal Panned as ‘Gross and Offensive … One of the Worst Performances of the 21st Century

MERYL runs a close 2nd.....one of ryan murphys worst shows ever.....bummer

All the blame lands on Ryan Murphy, imo

There is NO critical consensus and Ryan Murphy isn't getting "mostly positive reviews."

He's a terrible director and his schtick of trying to win awards by casting award winners, making shows about awards or adapting the works of greater talents is getting old.

I seriously hate him

I seriously hate James Corden, that is.

LOL!

STR8 MAN PLAYIN GAY??? WTF? HE GAY AS ME !!!!

Jesus, fucking Christ!

No you cannot deport him. It took us years to get you to take him off of our hands!

British TV Viewers at R8...can't he just be deported to a remote territory within the Commonwealth? I know that's not really how it works, but an exception should be made in this instance.

why WHY is James Corden famous? I'm guessing he plays a crass stereotype of a mincing homo. Ryan Murphy lives in the 1970s.

Corden flames in daily life so why not on film?

R9 He's part of the UK's program to export our best products to the US.

First you get Cordon, then Stilton cheese, then finally we're shipping over our delicious Black puddings.

R8 To quote Stewart Lee "Britain's 'loss' is America's loss also"

R9 If he were deported to the Falklands they wouldn't have to worry about another Argentinian invasion.

Why does Ryan Murphy keep resurrecting the careers of washed up has-beens?

[quote]Can we deport him now?

And can he take the entire Osbourne family with him?

The Osbourne's were part one of our export program to the States.

Nothing gives me joy like seeing the reviews for Ryan Murphy's prized project dragged down singlehandedly by James Corden.

James Corden *is* gross and offensive.

How did everyone who appeared in CATS get to keep their careers? That movie should have made several people unemployable.

Really, no one could ever replace Letterman or Conan. Fallon, Colbert, and Corden are just dire. Conan wrote one of the best Simpsons episodes of all time - Corden was in CATS.

How the hell does this fat fuck keep getting rolls? He’s worse than Ellen to people.

Roles

[quote]How the hell does this fat fuck keep getting rolls?

Unlimited rolls is how he keeps getting fatter and fatter

Is it gay portrayal if it’s just him acting as him?

R22 [quote] rolls

HAHAHAHAHA

Why the hell isn’t someone like Nathan Lane playing this character? Corden should be your last resort, and maybe he was here

I’m with R10. How the fuck did Corden become anything more then a chorus queen in some regional theater production. This guy is working everywhere. Sickening.

The mind blower is that this Mary is married with three kids. How in the fuck?......

I’ve never seen the show. I saw the trailer. Looked to see if the characters was supposed to be portrayed as flaming.

I couldn’t find any reference or description online of his character, so I thought it strange he would play him that way.

R22 Tells you a lot about how all these Hollywood people really treat people, doesn't it?

His career is inexplicable though, especially him getting a US chat show. I guess it shows connections really do work for a career in media. Suck up to the right people, etc.

It's always amazing how slow Hollywood is sometimes when it comes to stars, directors, or concepts that don't work. Hollywood delivers stinker after stinker with the same ingredients expecting a different result and then are shocked and surprised that they don't have a hit.

I love Ryan Murphy's shows, but I really, really, really question his judgement casting James Corden in anything after that horrendous Cats.

Is Corden some kind of social media "influencer" version of the Late Show genre where producers count on his name to bring a huge chunk of extra viewers? Is that it? The only genius things he did was the UK comedy show Gavin & Stacey (and that was collaboration with Ruth Jones) and doing Carpool Karaoke.

The clip they did at the Tonys showed the character as completely flaming. I was embarrassed by it at the time.

Didn't Brooks Ashmanskas play the role on Broadway?

There's your answer. That guy can ONLY play flaming, so that must be the character.

As I've said every time Corden is ever mentioned, back in the day before he hit the big time with The History Boys, he was an out and proud gay man.

I saw it on Broadway and the character made me cringe. I’m no James Corden fan, but any straight guy would catch some “gay face” accusations for playing this character. The show was cute, but didn’t seem like “Broadway” caliber.

He'd be hot if he lost weight.

R36 Only if he also got a personality transplant.

And a muzzle.

Andrew Rannells is the one actor I wish [italic]would[/italic] get some work done.

James Corden is a douche in real life.

Here is the Tony performance, it’s just very uncomfortable.

Hahaha, what a sight. He’s made a right cunt out of himself this time, ain’t he. I dunno where to start, honestly.

For what it’s worth I used to put the boot in back in the day, see if he might spare us all the agony and think about a change of career or summink. He’s piss-poor at everything else, so it stands to reason he’s rubbish at being gay, and all. Absolute scenes. He must fucking love it, though.

I have hated the idea of this since Ryan Murphy brushed off the idea of casting the original cast in the adaptation.

He did it for, "The Boys in the Band" but wouldn't for "The Prom."

He's had about one "hit" (Ratched) from his Netflix contract after churning out lackluster production after production but Netflix still won't force this man to slow down, focus and reevaluate what he's putting out.

R31 Ryan Murphy is completely overexposed. Some campness is fun, but he's brining Paul Linde stereotypes back.

Ryan is a better producer than director. Good producers are rare; good directors are a dime a dozen. But I guess he wants to be an arteeest.

He's a fat cunt. Anna Wintour loved him and forced him on Hollywood or else they wouldn't get the front cover of vogue, she's the one that put his name forward to CBS bosses as Craig Fergusons replacement.

James looks more bloated than usual.

Meryl's face has always been strange to me. It doesn't look natural.

No way would I watch this, although I appreciate others doing it and reporting back.

I saw the show on Broadway and it was fun. But this casting ensures I won't bother watching it on Netflix. I can't stand him.

M? Pass.

Still the greatest moment in Reddit history

R30 that was brutal haha

Coming from the John Belushi thread to this one is an interesting switch.

You really can be overweight, rude, bullying, tone-deaf, intolerant, smug, puerile, and polarising with your entertainment style, but dammit you better have dynamic charisma and talent by the truckload. Sparkle, ambition, and some actual ability are the only true requisites in this game - and while two out of three ain't bad, Corden only has one.

I prefer Corden to Belushi.

Belushi shit out more likeable turds than Corden could ever be.

Yes R54, John was magnetic and creative and individual with a distaste for media politics and a respect for the Arts, who also found time to be a lazy sloppy antisocial cunt. He had something about him. and wouldn't lick the ass of the establishment in the way Corden is compelled.

If Belushi is a slightly-burnt cinnamon waffle, Corden is a bowl of anemic runny Ready Brek.

Never found Belushi funny but then I saw his shtick after he was dead. Yeah I got the counter culture thing of the older generation but too much of that would cause the death of culture itself. That's not my thing.

saw the Belushi documentry on tv...what a miserable skunt....had it alll, but was on da junkie needle...poor cow.

Thank goodness Covid has put pay to car pooling.

THR isn't a fan

[quote]Corden, whose limited range becomes more apparent with every screen role, is torn between trying too hard and not hard enough as Barry. "I am as gay as a bucket of wigs!" he declares, in a role played with outrageously over-the-top swish by Brooks Ashmanskas on stage. Perhaps aware of the potential minefield for a straight actor playing a flaming gay stereotype, Corden channels the mannerisms without the joy. It's a flat performance without much heart, even when Tracey Ullman turns up (wearing a wig so heinous it's almost a helmet) to mend bridges as Barry's estranged mother. And Corden reads too young to be Dee Dee's contemporary. This is a role that cries out for Nathan Lane.

James Corden is only in the US because we don't want him in the UK.

I cannot understand why someone who seemingly no one likes, who there are a huge amount of negative 'backstage' testimonials about, continues to be somehow popular and getting work in the US. The only explanation I can come up with is that the Illuminati are real, he is part of it and his success is purely down to them. It just doesn't make sense to me otherwise.

R60 Maybe he’s at the point he should move on to Australia?

I recall seeing Corden on 'Gavin & Stacey' years before he was imported to the US. For those who think he's big now, he was ginormous on that sitcom. The one who really got the shaft was his comedy partner Mathew Horne, who was the Gavin of 'Gavin & Stacey'. I had such a crush on Mathew, and he's a much better comedian, IMO.

The trailer looks like a typical dog shit Glee episode. No way I could sit through that utter trash. And it's fucking creepy that Ryan Murphy seems obsessed with high school kids. Another Brian Singer?

He needs a better costar.

He needs a better costar.

He;s a straight as Tammy Cruise and Hugh Jackman. All pussyhounds.

Nathan Lane would have been perfect for this role.

I can totally see Ryan having a problem with Nathan Lane for one reason or another and never hiring him.

Corden is too fat to be gay.

R60 Because he sucks up to celebrities. I mean, that's it really. And you know the celebrities lap it up, and so of course they're his friend - and willing to come on his show, etc.

The comments on the video R40 linked to are hilarious - so many from confused One Direction and Harry Styles fans that they'd be friends with someone who isn't a nice guy. Almost like their public image is a made up facade or something.

You've got to keep Corden in the US.

He's helping the UK with our balance of payments problems post Brexit.

R70 it's going to be so funny when a member of 1D gets caught doing hard drugs or banging underage groupies.

The original character was offensively swishy, yet played with a certain vulnerability that Corden can never hope to realize. He was really a very bad choice for this part. The show is shit anyway, filled with stereotypes, so the flaming musical theater fat queen fits right in. But, Corden does not.

Has the US ever sent over any equally annoying people to the UK?

Tourists.

Young SJW woman "reviews" the film. Of course, she loved it.

Corden might be horrible, but the part is written as a flamboyant stereotype. Most of those criticizing it, never saw the original and how the part is written.

[quote]Tourists.

True, but at least they don't stay or get their own television shows.

I don't normally mind straight actors playing gay, but straight actors playing flamboyant stereotypes feels different to me. It's a line not to be crossed, I think.

R79. I generally agree except for John Michael Higgins in Best in Show. I honestly cannot believe that man is straight.

I rewatched Into the Woods over the weekend and he was quite good in that. But I loathe his public persona.

[quote] John Michael Higgins in Best in Show

It helps when EVERYONE is a caricature.

Was Eric Stonesteet, or what ever his name is, unavailable?

R74 Yes

And too us fucking ages to get rid of her.

r60 James Corden is a lizard person.

John Turturro should have reprised his Jesus from the big lebowski opposite Streep for this one. Oh wait. I need to see the film first.

Oh r80 good catch, I totally agree. Just re-watched Best in Show this summer and he is crazy funny in it.

Sick of all the #LATENITESOWHITEMALES Corden, Kimmel, Colbert, Fallon, Meyers. Without an audience, orchestra, in-studio guests these founder-faced men come off as dull, vacuous and untalented. How about a little diversity!

No one cares what Brits think, why are you even here? You've been boring us to death for months with your drivel no one cares about.

How many seconds until he comes out as bi so people won't hate his performance.

He seems that needy.

I love Andrew Rannells, but why are on earth would you put him in this movie and then ask me to believe James Corden is doing authentic gay face?

R88, it's not diversity we need. It's talent. I don't care if it's pasty white men, black as night black women, a trans dog. Just be funny and entertaining.

(That said, I do think Seth Myers is damn good at his job)

The character is written as flaming. Lyrics include “Your whole look could use a shakeup, you can borrow all my make up” and “You be Elphie! I’m Galinda!” Sounds like it’s the role they have a problem with. Not Corden.

And if Corden is performing like those words were thought by HIM well then as an actor, he’s doing his job.

If Corden's performance is THAT bad and that far off base, it's Murphy's fault. He was the director. He was the hand that guided them all and told them how far to go and how big they could take it.

Murphy is to blame.

I saw this on Broadway after friends *raved* about it and couldn't figure out why they liked it so much. I especially hated the character that Corden plays here. Even in the Broadways show, where the part was presumably played by a gay man, it was offensive and off-putting.

Corden is bad enough, but we also get Kerry Washington thrust upon us in this and apparently on top of her bad acting we will also hear her try to sing.

I guess he's similar to Ellen in that he's probably nice as pie and great company for other celebrities, but treats 'normal' people like shit so the celebrities all like him because they only see his good side.

It's strange to me that celebrities can be so unaware of how they are perceived by others and how it doesn't portray them positively if they are friendly with renowned assholes, but then I guess a lot of celebrities are talented in a specific thing but likely stupid as fuck.

Perhaps Miss Corden is dealer to the stars or travels with a portable glory hole screen and has amazingly velvety holes.

One of those, or maybe just Satan walking the Earth.

Every single character in this fucking musical is a stereotype. People who object to the flaming portrayal have never seen the Broadway show. Objections should be directed at the writer, not the actor or director.

[quote] or travels with a portable glory hole screen and has amazingly velvety holes

According to the gossip that was on Popbitch, he's a submissive bottom who likes being used, so you're not far off.

[quote]How about a little diversity!

Who would you like to bring back? Arsenio? George Lopez? How about Magic Johnson?

R100- I love the writer and yes they are stereotypes. Not Corden’s fault if one is offended. How else is Corden supposed to play “You be Elphie! I’m Galinda!”?

So my theory of him giving Leslie Moonvies a blowjob is not so nutty now, huh?

I've seen the movie. It's cute. Corden is terrible but slightly less of a lispy stereotype than I expected. He's mostly dull and out of his league, acting-wise. Brooks Ashmanskas has plenty of justification to be pissed off; at least the other Broadway cast members were replaced with competent actors who put their own spin on their roles. I saw the Broadway show and Corden has stolen a lot of Ashmanskas' performance, down to certain hand gestures and vocal tics.

[quote]I saw the Broadway show and Corden has stolen a lot of Ashmanskas' performance, down to certain hand gestures and vocal tics.

I didn't see the play but I've seen Ashmanska's PROM performance on Youtube after seeing him on Showtime's GOOD LORD BIRD and Corden did seemingly crib from Ashmanska.

I just read the thread title as "James Corden's Gay Porn" ...

My, how those reviews are plummeting as broader numbers of critics weigh in.

Don’t they realize this is a Ryan Murphy Production?

It looks like school scenes were film at Taft High my old ex-high school in Woodland Hills, Ca. I hated it back in the day. Infested with assholes everywhere! Thank god I transferred out.

From the Rolling Stone review:

"No one wants subtle in musical comedy, but maybe pitching things at the level of Charles Nelson Reilly screaming though a TED talk on tolerance for two-plus hours isn't the answer either."

Are people FINALLY beginning to realize how crappy Murphy's work is?

I’ll admit, I got a little tears eyed at the end.

I was creeped out that Corden was taking a 13 year old boy to the prom until I realized it was supposed to be himself.

James Corden is the UK's revenge on the U.S. for overthrowing british rule and declaring independence.

Admit it, Brits.

I am literally just about to watch this. Should be interesting!

James Corden is the living embodiment of Hamilton’s King George III.

Having watched it last night, I fail to see what all the uproar was about. I was led to believe he did some kind of lisping, limp-wristed gay minstrel show of a performance when in fact he does nothing of the kind. I found him likable and moving. WTF is with people, are they just so interested in being outraged over something that they level their anger at any and every body?

[quote]It looks like school scenes were film at Taft High my old ex-high school in Woodland Hills, Ca. I hated it back in the day.

And they used the Northridge Fashion Center as the mall.

Don’t know anything about his personality, but I think Corden’s got a very handsome face.

Incidentally, this is supposedly a video of him jerking off. I’m not entirely convinced.

I thought it was a good distraction. Silly and campy and just what I needed as I wait for another fucking Monday.

DAMN, that DID SUCK R41. Sad to think how much, time, money, and "talent" was completely wasted on such an embarrassing, shallow and COMPLETELY forgettable number.

And speaking of shallow, the chubby eldergay looks like Scott Gardner's husband.

While they could've cast a gay man in the role, it's Murphy's fault that he let Corden play it the way he did.

How it was done on stage.

R118 That’s no where even close to Indiana?

R123, that link was already posted by R41, which R121 was referring to. Try to keep up.

Somewhere out there there’s a powerful showbizz gay who’s a chubby chaser.