After finding huge success in the prime time slot with last year's "Carpool Karaoke" special, James Corden and the "Late Late Show" team have put together another special to air in May. The previous hour-long special drew 4.3 million viewers across the country, more than 3 times Corden's nightly audience at 12:35 a.m. with "The Late Late Show." The special also won a 2016 Emmy for Best Variety Show.
Regular segment will also become series
Prior to finding massive viral success in America, Corden tested the "Carpool Karaoke" idea out during sketches for British television, most famously as part of "Red Nose Day" in 2011 with late pop star George Michael.
Since then, it has evolved into a massive viral phenomenon, drawing big-name musical guests like Justin Bieber, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Bruno Mars. His 2015 clip featuring Adele has become the most watched online video from any late night show with over 154 million views.
It's no wonder that, in addition to CBS' prime time special, "Carpool Karaoke" will be expanded into a 16-episode series to run exclusively on Apple Music. Due to Corden's filming schedule, each half-hour episode will feature a different celebrity pairing in the front seat. The show's first trailer included musicians Jon Legend and Alicia Keys, sports legends-turned-sports commentators Jeff Gordon and Michael Strahan, and the unexpected coupling of "Family Guy" creator Seth McFarlane with Ariana Grande.
Apple Music has yet to confirm a release date for when the episodes will become available.
Second series in the works with TBS
"Carpool Karaoke" isn't the only regular segment from "The Late Late Show" to be receiving special attention from producers. TBS' "Drop the Mic" will feature four celebrities fighting it out in a live rap battle, with the winner decided by audience applause.
The concept may sound a bit like Jimmy Fallon's "Lip Sync Battle" (another late night bit developed into a longer series), but Corden's producing partner is confident viewers will support the new show.
"Every time we have done this segment on ‘The Late Late Show,’ it has become a massive viral moment," Ben Winston said in a release when the show was announced.
"Now with TBS as our perfect partner, we hope to create some really memorable television."
"Drop the Mic" has yet to find a release date. Corden has plenty of work to keep him busy while that is being sorted out, with a role in the upcoming "Emoji Movie." He also recently finished filming on "Ocean's Eight" while continuing to host his late night show four nights per week.
The "Carpool Karaoke" prime time special will air May 22nd at 10 p.m. on CBS.
