James Corden Says Goodbye in ‘Late Late Show’

Corden’s last night as host of the late night series began Thursday with a primetime special that was followed by the final episode itself. Among the previously announced highlights of the special were a segment in which Corden and Tom Cruise appeared as Timon and Pumbaa, respectively, in a live performance of The Lion King at Los Angeles’ Pantages Thea-tre, and a final “Carpool Karaoke” segment with the host’s close friend Adele.

Fittingly, Corden began the special with a musical number as he sang his own lyrics to the tune of Donna Summer’s “Last Dance.” Corden sang such lines as, “Let’s blow CBS’ dough one last time. Go big or go home on my last day in the sun-shine.”

Corden and Cruise pair surprised an L.A. audience by gracing the Lion King stage, first sharing a rhino costume and then per-forming “Hakuna Matata” as the memorable meerkat and warthog duo. After the performance, they appeared to suffer a falling-out as Corden suggested that the actor would soon forget about him and find a different late night host to befriend.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, for the final “Carpool Karaoke,” Adele awakened sleeping Corden in his bedroom with a cymbal crash before they hit the road. For Adele’s second time participating in the segment, the stars performed her tunes “Rolling in the Deep,” “Love Is a Game,” “I Drink Wine” and “Hometown Glory,” in addition to Funny Girl’s “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”

During their car ride, they reminisced about previous vacations they’ve taken together, and Adele asked Corden what he’ll miss about hosting the program. “I’ll miss everything,” he replied. “I think I underestimated how many friends I’ve made doing it, and it’s like a family. More than anything, I’ll just miss going into work with my friends every day.”