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.

Over the past two series, our Gavin & Stacey Music pages have been some of the most popular on this blog. Music plays a significant role in the series and fans love to collect the songs they hear.

While many programs today use custom or canned music, Gavin & Stacey always picks some of the best in popular, British tunes to make it into the show.

With the start of series 3 we need your help with this question: What’s that song?

It’s easy to lend a hang – just post a comment below with any song-related info you know from the third series. Be sure to note the episode number if you remember. We’ll do the dirty work – scrounging up the appropriate YouTube clips and Amazon links.

Thanks!

JCFS

Snow Patrol’s frontman extended the invitation,

[Gary]Lightbody said he made the invitation after he “nearly fell off his chair” when he heard Corden singing in a bar.
Corden said he did not think Lightbody would remember the invitation.
“Gary and I were drunkenly singing together in a bar the other night and he said I should come and sing with them at the Albert Hall,” Corden added.
“I was so sure he wouldn’t remember I said yes, and before I knew it I was getting calls about sound checks and everything.
“It’s an honour to sing with one my favourite bands and I loved every single minute of being on stage with them.”

Corden song the traditionally female part  in “Set The Fire to the Third Bar.” See the performance via YouTube:

Or pick up some of the post popular Snow Patrol MP3s at Amazon.co.uk:

SOURCE: BBC News; “James Corden sing with Snow Patrol;” 25 Nov 2009

Corden will be in town filming the third series of Gavin & Stacey when Take That hits Millennium Stadium.

We’ve long known Corden to be a Take That fan – he’s even featured their music in episodes of Gavin & Stacey.

The Mirror reports the Take That lads have James slated to introduce the band in a costume.

Should be a good show. No definitive word on when, but Gavin & Stacey is filming starting in mid-June.

Corden has some history with the song, featuring the John Barnes rap in series 2 of Gavin & Stacey as well as lyrics in his recent dress-down of the England Football Squad for Comic Relief.

According to reports in The Sun,

A pal of Jimmy’s said: “He is in two minds about it.

“He loved New Order’s version of World In Motion during Italia ’90.

“He would hate to do anything that spoiled the original. On the other hand it is for charity and he loved doing a Comic Relief sketch with the team which featured the lyrics.

“Offering a football fan a chance to make a video with the England side is pretty tempting. It would be a great DVD to show the kids.”

Polling on The Sun site also shows Corden has the support of his fans – 2-1 voting “yes” for the cover.

SOURCE: The Sun; “Corden to do World Cup Song;” Smart, Gordon; 2 May 2009

In series 2 of Gavin & Stacey, Nessa + Bryn perform “Islands in the Stream,” the classic Dolly Parton/Kenny Rogers duet at a barn dance. The popularity of the song drove the charity recording.

Fellow Gavin & Stacey actor James Corden also did a bit for Comic Relief in character – Smithy dressed down the England football squad.

Read more about music from Gavin & Stacey in our coverage – “the best on the web.”

• Gavin & Stacey Music – Series 1
• Gavin & Stacey Music – Series 2, Part 1
• Gavin & Stacey Music – Series 2, Part 2

An interview with The Sun reveals James Corden + Mat Horne are starting work on their script for this year’s Brit Awards (click through for some photos).

The comic duo, most known for their roles on Gavin & Stacey, are set to host the bash 18 Feb with pop legend Kylie Minogue.

The lads had plenty of nice things to say about Kylie:

She’s the perfect pop star, like Madonna’s nice sister…She works really hard and she’s genuinely really pleasant and polite to everyone. (James Corden)

They have a good working relationship with Kylie as the pop princess appeared in a sketch for their new comedy show, Horne and Corden.

James shared that he’s really looking forward to meeting Coldplay, having been a long time fan.

The boys also shared thier current iPod faves. Indie-rocker Mat has White Lies, Interpol, MGMT, Maccabees and The Enemy. While pop-fan James has Michael Buble, Mariah Carey, Take That, Boyzone and Leona Lewis.

Musical performances at this year’s Brits are set to include, Girls Aloud, Take That, Kings of Leon, U2, The Pet Shop Boys and a special performance from Estelle and The Ting Tings.

SOURCE: The Sun; “Gavin it Large;” Smart, Gordon; 7 Feb 09.

MP3s from these bands are available on Amazon.co.uk (UK) (after the break)

For those who missed it, we’ve got the video in three parts (courtesy YouTube) after the jump.

Enjoy.

Part One:

Part Two:

Part Three:

Also, check out Keane MP3s available from Amazon:

In the roll-up to the upcoming Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special, BBC1 has begun to air rerun episodes. In the US, BBC America is also re-running the popular series.

As such, The Independent has put together a primer for those new to the series: Everything you need to know about Gavin & Stacey.

Plus, be sure to check out some of our most popular Gavin & Stacey posts:

• Gavin & Stacey TV-Art
• Gavin & Stacey to appear in print
• BAFTA Coverage – James Corden + Gavin & Stacey take honors
• Gavin & Stacey, Series 1 Review
• Gavin & Stacey, Series 1 Our Favorite Moments: Ep 1+2, Ep 3+4, Ep 5+6
• Behind the scenes of Gavin & Stacey
• Music from Gavin & Stacey: Series 1, Series 2 Ep 1-4, Series 2 Ep 5-7

Or complete JCFS coverage.

Don’t forget to read, “Gavin & Stacey Music – Series 2, Part 1” for music from the first 4 episodes, plus, “Gavin & Stacey Music, Series 1” for series 1 songs.

Once again, special thanks to the readers of the unofficial Gavin & Stacey blog and Cruise, Marry, Shag blog for their help in identifying artists.

All YouTube links were working once. Try searching at YouTube if you get broken links.

See the YouTube clips, after the jump.

Episode 5

Gavin wakes up alone with Stacey back in Barry, Don’t Tell Me by The View.

buy CD Album from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy CD Album from Amazon.com (US)

The “England” chant that the crew from Essex does, World in Motion from New Order.

buy MP3 from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy MP3 from Amazon.com (US)

Nessa + Bryn sing a duet at Gwen’s Birthday, Islands in the Stream by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers.

buy MP3 from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy MP3 from Amazon.com (US)

Episode 6

Song played when the works post the sign about the mobile mast, Hapily Ever After by Ian Brown.

buy CD Album from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy MP3 from Amazon.com (US)

<clip unavailable>

Smithy playing slots at the pub, Kill the Director from The Wombats.

buy CD Single from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy MP3 from Amazon.com (US)

Gavin & his mates at the pub & club, Romantic Type from The Pigeon Detectives,

buy MP3 from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy CD Single from Amazon.com (US)

and Keep on Jumpin by Todd Terry.

buy MP3 from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy MP3 Album from Amazon.com (US)

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=bskQDAPc_8Q]

At the club, just before the foam, Born Slippy by Underworld.

buy MP3 from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy MP3 from Amazon.com (US)

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=TlLWFa1b1Bc]

Climax of episode six, You Could be Happy by Snow Patrol.

buy MP3 from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy MP3 from Amazon.com (US)

Episode 7

Stacey standing in the Shipman’s hallway alone, When You’re Gone from Avril Lavigne.

buy MP3 from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy MP3 from Amazon.com (US)

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=tPW70sgrHiY]

Gavin pulling up to the drive-thru and again on the way to the hospital, I Found Out by The Pigeon Detectives.

buy MP3 from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy MP3 from Amazon.com (US)

Gavin switches song off in the car (also featured in series 1), Last Request by Paolo Nutini.

buy MP3 from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy MP3 from Amazon.com (US)

Nessa, Gwen + Bryn arrive at the hospital, The Magic Position by Patrick Wolf.

buy MP3 from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy MP3 from Amazon.com (US)

Nessa gives her name at the hospital, Have I Been a Fool, by Jack Penate.

buy MP3 from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy MP3 from Amazon.com (US)

Bryn, Gwen + Dave sing to Nessa, Better Together from Jack Johnson.

buy MP3 from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy MP3 from Amazon.com (US)

Smithy lifts the barrier at the toll booth, Juicebox by The Strokes.

buy MP3 from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy MP3 from Amazon.com (US)

Climax of Series 2, Nessa giving birth (a great song), Gravity by Embrace.

buy MP3 from Amazon.co.uk (UK)

buy MP3 from Amazon.com (US)

And, in case you missed it, see songs from the first four episodes of series 2 here.