Late Show Host Corden Enlists Harry Kane, U.K. Team To Woo U.S. Fans In Cup Goal
By Barry Janoff
June 19, 2018: The Late Late Show with James Corden (CBS) is taping a week’s worth of show’s in Central Hall Westminster in London, and to hook onto the World Cup, Corden (who is from the U.K.) has taped an extended skit with members of England’s National Team.
The premise: Get Harry Kane (who scored both goals in England’s 2-1 Cup-opening win over Tunisia), Dele, Jamie Vardy, Jesse Lingard, Kyle Walker and Eric Dier to film a campaign that would encourage soccer fans in the U.S. — whose own national team failed to qualify — to support England’s quest to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Of course, this being a comedy sketch, things go awry quickly (and stay that way), for the duration of the extended 6:30-long scene.
Corden meets the guys in a room and explains that they have a great opportunity.
“On the back of Harry and Megan getting married, America and England have never been closer,” he explains. “The American football team didn’t make it to the Cup, and I can use my TV show (of which the guys have no knowledge) to appeal to 325 million American fans who don’t have a team to back this summer to support England at the World Cup.”
“325 million people watch your show?” asks Dele.
“323 million less than that,” replies Corden. “But let’s not get bogged down in numbers.”
Corden explains what this could do for the careers of the members of England's team: “You'd become global superstars. Movies. TV shows. Pop career. Underwear commercials. Politics. Big sponsorships.”
A voiceover then says, “People of America — this is the England Football Team,” as England’s national anthem, "God Save the Queen," plays in the background. “But for this World Cup, they can be be your team, too,” as an American flag appears and the music switches to the U.S. National Anthem plays.
Among the proposals: U.S. sports fans should replace an NFL football with a soccer (football) ball, James Vardy changing his English accent to that of someone from Texas (“Yee-hah! Darn tootin’!”), getting the guys to actually say the word “soccer” (which they refuse to do), getting them to name all 50 states (which becomes “California, New York, Texas, Vegas, Chicago, Gotham, Wakanda, Toronto, the one they make all the jokes about — Florida”).
Then an offer some American’s can’t refuse: “Support England and we’ll invite you to the Royal Wedding . . . the next one.”
Harry Kane then makes a personal pitch: “Prince Harry, Harry Styles, Harry Kane. I can be your third favorite Harry.”
“Wait,” interrupts Corden. “We’re forgetting Harry Potter. He’s more popular (in America) than you, so you’d be the fourth favorite Harry.”
Next, getting the guys to speak like James Bond while holding a martini (shaken, not stirred).
One final pitch: “America, if you don’t support England this summer, we’re going to make you keep James Corden for even longer.”
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