While we’ve not been as post-heavy this BRIT Awards, we didn’t sit on our laurels too much – we’ve got this recap of the James Corden-hosted music awards show.

NO GERVAIS

Even before the show, Corden was putting distance between his vision for the BRITs and the recent Ricky Gervais-style hosting of the US Golden Globes. Said Corden:

I’m not going to go down the Ricky Gervais road because, well, you can’t in that room, anyway – there’s a big difference between the 02 and the dining room in the Beverly Hilton,” he told the Daily Mirror.

Basically, I want to host the Brits with as much warmth and sensitivity as possible. Fewer gags.

Mostly I’ve been following guidance from the producers. They’re encouraging a positive, upbeat, interesting show as opposed to anything particularly risque.” (SOURCE: Press Association; “Corden: I won’t pull a Gervais; 17 Feb 2011)

THE PEEPHOLE

Rumor was that Corden’s backstage antics included a self-made peephole into the adjoining dressing room for pop-superstar Rihanna. Corden denies the bit – or at least the motivation.

CHARITY

Corden has generously donated his £50k fee for hosting the Brits to Comic Relief (a charity he’s been frequently supportive of in the past). Kudos James. Or, as The Sun puts it: “That’s a really generous gesture and a great one-finger salute to those who have criticised his selection as the master of ceremonies.” (SOURCE: The Sun; Rude Boy Corden; Smart, Gordon; 17 Feb 2011)

EVERYTHING ELSE

Two great interviews with Corden leading up to the show. First up, a piece in The Mirror where James grants insight into his hosting style (see not Gervais above), his nerves – “I’m as nervous as I’ve ever been, in my life, ever” – and his impending fatherhood with fiance Julia Carey. Says Corden:

“I feel the same about fatherhood as I do about the Brits – incredibly excited and terrified at the same time. Whenever I get nervous, though, I think of the amount of people who have told me it’s the best thing in the world. I reckon that that many people can’t be wrong.

“We don’t know whether we’re having a boy or girl. We want it to be a surprise and I’m really not bothered either way. I’d be so happy with a boy or a girl, I really would.”

Talking of Jules, he adds: “The best thing about meeting someone who’s really special is that they don’t try to change you at all. I just feel happier, really – happier than I have done ever.” (SOURCE: The Mirror; “Brits host James Corden’s fear and joy at impending fatherhood; Moodie, Clemmie; 17 Feb 2011)

Next, The Telegraph has a video interview of James pre-show. Click-through and watch.

Various news outlets, including The Mirror, note that James Corden has signed a multi-million pound deal to write his autobiography.

Although there is no official word on the deal’s worth, The Sun reports a seven-figure sum.

Corden, only 32, is still young  but reportedly has a great many stories to share.

A friend of the star said he has a lot to say.

Speaking to the Sun, they said: ‘James just said “f*** it”, it was a lot of money and why not? Loads has happened in his life people don’t know about.

‘He spent a lot of time living in New York when he was in the movie The History Boys. They were great times.

‘He might be 32 but there are a lot of stories to tell. He was an actor first and the fame came later.

‘He’s fiercely proud of his family and his humble upbringing and wants to get that across too.’

Other musings in the book may also be about his friendship with David Beckham, his relationship with actress Sheridan Smith and nights out with his former flatmate and History Boys co-star Dominic Cooper.”

The memoir, published by Century (part of the Random House Group), is due out 1 Sept 2011.

SOURCE: The Mirror; “Corden sings multi-million pound book deal to write his autobiography;” 21 Dec 2011

Reports the Mirror,

Poor Jules is doing great but is really uncomfortable. “The only thing she wants in her bed these days is a pregnancy pillow to get comfy. I’m just an annoyance – and it’s only going to get worse.”

No word yet on rumored baby names.

SOURCE: The Mirror; “James Corden’s preparations for fatherhood;” Piper, Dean; 20 Dec 2010

Read the full story to get the details behind James and Paul’s phone call.

Corden reportedly told Justin Lee Collins “Personally, I don’t like the thought of 36,000 people singing ‘Who ate all the pies?”

Corden and Collins have shared their “man boobs” with the world as part of the Sunday Night Project, so we suspect James was being a bit cheeky.

Check out all of our West Ham/James Corden coverage for more.

SOURCE: The Sun; “Corden: I ate all the pies;” 18 Apr 2010

Corden is in fact James Kimberly Corden, with the unusual name being a bit of a family tradition. Says James, “Literally every man in my family has it.”

SOURCE: Mirror.co.uk; “A Boy Named Kim;” 18 Apr 2010

Says James,

She [Jones] sent me a really nice text message yesterday, it just said, ‘I really miss you,’ and I feel exactly the same. I do really, really miss her when we’re not together. We’re both excited about one day getting back in a room and seeing what we can come up with. It can’t happen soon enough for me. We’ve got this idea for a film that we’d like to write, so it’ll be really nice just to get with her, get the snacks going, and get writing again.

My partnership with Ruth means so much to me. I’m honestly at my happiest when I’m in a room with her.”

SOURCE: FemaleFirst; “James Corden Wants Jones Reunion;” 7 Mar 2010

Corden previously appeared on the program last year as well as in late 2007 with writing partner Ruth Jones.

Other Ross guests include Charlotte Church (Corden & Jones also appeared on Church’s Christmas special in 2008 and mentioned our blog) and Olympian Amy Williams.

Tune in at 10:35 tonight on BBC1.

The lineup kick’s off with an hour-long special featuring world heavyweight boxing champion David Haye, and the voice of Bob the Builder and man behaving badly, Neil Morrissey.

According to press releases,

James Corden referees the wacky challenge of sporting knowledge as two teams of comedians, sports stars, and celebrity sports fans compete against each other.  Guests confirmed to appear in the rest of the series include Amir Khan, Jimmy Carr, Alastair Campbell, Ruth Jones, Claudia Winkleman, Matt Le Tissier, Dara O’Briain and Steve Harmison.

We linked to this last month, but here is an advert James filmed promoting the show:

And here is a behind-the-scenes interview with Corden about A League of Their Own:

The show originally aired early last year on BBC3 and was widely panned by critics, although a small-but-loyal fan base emerged.

Despite conflicting reports from BBC3 (originally calling the show a “smashing success”), series 2 was first rumored to be green-lit and then canceled.

The news prompted a rash of speculation that the Horne & Corden friendship – forged on the set of Gavin & Stacey – had also ended. Says Corden,

Our friendship is great, I love him dearly. I love working with him, and I hope we work together again soon. People just make these things up.”

On the topic of his sketch show, Corden told ShortList Magazine,

The truth is, honestly, I’m not good enough at writing sketches to write a sketch show.
It was a mistake. There’s no point in doing something unless it’s going to be as good as Big Train or The Fast Show. Why bother? And the absolute truth is I wasn’t good enough.”

Although he ruled out future sketch shows, Corden did not fully rule out a future Gavin & Stacey episode. While he and writing partner Ruth Jones have called series 3 the last, they have both reserved the opportunity to write one-off shows in the future.

Lastly, Corden put on a tough skin for the media backlash that surrounded Horne & Corden and the equally panned Lesbian Vampire Killers (also starring Horne),

I got called a fat waste of space a lot in the papers. The material wasn’t strong enough, but the torrent of abuse I got for it from the media was something else.
But you can’t cry about it – my life is a picnic. People have real problems, I’m just called fat and useless in the papers.”

The Daily Mail also has a short video detailing the Corden interview.

SOURCE: BBC News; “James Corden calls BBC Three sketch show a ‘mistake;’” 7 Mar 2010