James Corden draws mega-talents to his car seats like nobody else in show business. Anyone with ears and eyes understands exactly what creates the attraction. James Corden took “The History Boys” from Broadway to a British TV hit, and brought performance back to the Tony Awards and the Grammys like no one has done before or since. “The Late Late Show” host made it very evident from the beginning that his Carpool Karaoke segments were bound to be special, especially when he opened singing with Adele in absolute synchronized harmony.

Just months ago, Sir Paul McCartney rode with James through his childhood and early teen romps and memories in Liverpool.

That touching travelogue was topped by a concert from Paul, while James tended bar. Still, the fun moments didn’t keep the tears from falling, as James Corden lovingly reflected on his father and grandfather counseling that he was about to hear the greatest song ever written in “Let It Be.”

The only way to follow that indelible encounter with British and music royalty is to hitch a ride with an American queen of music, one born in New York, and for Broadway.

When the laid-back British host found his vehicle brandishing a boot, and the windshield bearing that dreaded slip of paper, citing a traffic violation, who other than Barbra Streisand could be a better dame to come to the rescue? She and her gleaming white SUV came right on time to rescue James Corden on his November 1 installment.

The result was a not to be forgotten series of duets and some regrets about knowing the singing legend’s driving history.

Her name is Barbra

James Corden gave nothing away by calling his saving ride “mate,” in his typical way, but there could be no mistaking the speaking cadence of Barbra Streisand when she asked, “What are you doing in the street?” with a delivery that could be straight from a script.

Streisand is famously averse to hearing or seeing her finished work, but Corden convinces her to have a listen to the “radio,” and all bets are off. Following a delightful and dramatic run through “Enough Is Enough, complete with classic Streisand hand interpretations, there was a moment of “oops” echoed in traffic by the singer.

James Corden knew little of the disturbing driving revelations to come.

The hard road truth

Barbra sort of squeaks an answer to the question, “Are you a good driver?" from James. She then relates her experience with the reinstatement of the full written driving test for renewal, noting that it used to be virtually automatic for licensed drivers to be renewed. Corden retorts that the test is “the easiest in the world,” with questions as simple as the meaning of a green light.

The host hides his face when Barbra Streisand tells him that she failed her test three times, somehow not being able to find humor in her honesty.

Superstar Streisand further elaborates that she has a tendency to think, talk, and write all at once, and her multitasking once found her going up an offramp.

James Corden regains his good nature by this time, telling his driver, “If this is how I go out, I'm fine. ‘How did he die? Barbra Streisand’”

James does his best to harmonize on the iconic theme from “The Way We Were” with Streisand, before asking her what she does to calm herself before going on stage. She replies that she tells herself to “let go and let God,” very much adhering to Jewish tradition. He tells her that he simply pretends to be Barbra Streisand.

Being Barbra Streisand definitely has its perks, like being able to call Tim Cook to tell him to fix how Siri pronounces her name, or give Steve Jobs a ring to inquire why a bad address can't be erased from cyberspace. Just to verify, Siri has the pronunciation down now.

The most moving component of the commute is an exquisite medley of “Imagine” with “What a Wonderful World,” before Barbara begins to share her inspiration for her latest album, “Walls,” which happens to be Donald Trump. She explains that every song revolves around themes of truth and transparency. “People deserve the truth,” she insists, before launching into a trap from her album that closes with a reminder that “everyone answers to someone.”

Fittingly, the final song for the pair is “Funny Girl’s” “Don't Rain on My Parade.” Nobody rains on Barbra Streisand’s parade — they just don't give her the keys.
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