Chester Bennington’s family to decide whether ‘Carpool Karaoke’ episode airs

Shortly before Chester Bennington committed suicide at the age of 41 on July 20, he filmed an episode with James Corden for his new project with Apple Music, “Carpool Karaoke: The Series.” Now, Corden, who hosts the show, has said the former Linkin Park singer’s family will decide whether that episode should air.

‘Carpool Karaoke’ with Chester Bennington on hold

According to Corden, he and the production team have been up in the air about what to do with the Bennington episode and have said they will comply with whatever Bennington’s family want to do.

As reported by the New York Daily News, Corden told the Associated Press that they do not consider it to be their decision to make and that they will handle things as delicately as possible to follow the family’s wishes. Corden said he couldn’t see any other way to handle things.

“Carpool Karaoke: The Series” is an online show and a spinoff of the popular “Carpool Karaoke” which featured as a segment on Corden’s CBS late night show. In the series, Corden drives with popular singers around Los Angeles, singing their own songs.

In his interview with the Associated Press Corden said Bennington’s death was a “tragedy.” Reportedly, after Corden announced it was the family’s decision whether or not to air the episode, Bennington’s widow, Talinda, sent a “thank you” tweet to Corden.

Premiere of new ‘Carpool Karaoke’ features Will Smith

Meanwhile it isn’t known when the episode with Bennington was set to originally air, but as reported by the LA Times, the first episode of the spinoff premiered on Tuesday with Will Smith in the passenger seat.

In the episode Corden and Smith jammed to some of Smith’s 1990s hits, including “Boom! Shake the Room” and “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It.” The duo also spoke about the fact that Smith has been in talks about playing former President Barack Obama in a movie, saying he had even talked with Obama about the project. Reportedly Obama’s response to the idea was that Smith “had the ears” for the role.

Show is available on Apple Music

Meanwhile, YouTube is offering a six-minute clip of that "Carpool Karaoke" episode (included below) and the full version is available on Apple Music, with several other songs, including the theme to “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” There is also talk of appearances by “Game of Thrones” stars Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams in an upcoming episode. Reportedly, Apple Music has already signed a deal for 20 episodes of the new online series.