TV

James Corden gets candid about 'spikes of anxiety' on 'Homefest', brings on Ben Platt, BTS


James Corden wasn’t all smiles hosting his prime-time special from his spacious garage Monday night, which featured Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas, John Legend and BTS.

At the end of the one-hour “Homefest: James Corden’s Late Late Show Special,” the British host got candid about his feelings during the “scary weeks” of the coronavirus pandemic that has wreaked havoc globally.

“I’ve found it tougher than I ever thought I would. I found myself having these incredible spikes of anxiety and sadness when I allowed myself to think about my family back home in England, or my friends, or the people I love,” said Corden. “You feel so out of control. It feels so out of our comprehension, all of it. I found I get sort of overwhelmed with the sadness, really.”

James Corden to host ‘Homefest’: Featuring stars at their home from his garage

But Corden said he’s learned it’s all right to be sad during these times. 

“It’s OK to feel anxious. The best thing we can all do is kind of breathe through that and put our minds in a positive place,” he said.

The theater-loving host said that, in closing out the show, he thought hard about the summarizing message he wanted to send. He decided to have Ben Platt sing the inspirational song “You Will Be Found” with the Broadway cast of “Dear Evan Hansen.”

“Which sums up how I feel so much of the day, and kind of what I’m trying to say to you now,” said Corden, who vowed, “we absolutely will get through this.”

The bearded, baseball cap-wearing Platt, ear phone dangling from one ear, sang in front of a home fireplace, then performed with other cast members of the Tony Award-winning show in their respective locations (one in a car) with the lyrics, “Cause you’ll reach up and you’ll rise again / Lift your head and look around / You will be found.”

Corden’s guests included Legend, who performed “just down the road” at his Los Angeles home. The sweater-wearing Legend, sitting at his piano, admitted the hardest part about quarantining was “trying to entertain the kids” with wife Chrissy Teagan.

“We’re struggling,” he laughed, as Teagan appeared briefly in the background. He played an acoustic version of “Actions,” barking out “Quiet on the set!” before starting.

“No one’s talking,” Teagan responded from another room.

Will Ferrell provided video guidance on handwashing, giving a wide selection of badly performed songs to sing to time the process rather than the traditional “Happy Birthday.” The display included a “Drop It Like It’s Hot” rap attempt so bad it might prompt legal action from Snoop Dogg.

Billie Eilish appeared at her home piano with her brother Finneas, while holding two adorable pit bull puppies she is fostering. “They are very tiny,” she said, holding the pooches up to the camera.

The brother-sister collaborators have been watching TV — episodes of “Fleabag” and Jim Carrey’s “Yes Man” — to pass the time in quarantine, rather than writing new material. “I’ve been taking a lot of baths,” said Finneas.

Eilish’s vocals on “Everything I Wanted” put the two pups adorably asleep on her lap.

BTS, naturally self-isolating as a group in their native South Korea. The band performed their single “Boy With Luv” from their practice studio after sending out a message in English to fans.

“During a time when social distancing is crucial, we’re so grateful we can connect with  you from here,” added RM. “It may seem like we’re isolated, but we’re still connected through our shared experiences, our courage and our laughter.”



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