When James Corden burst onto American television screens as the host of CBS’s “The Late Late Show,” he was hailed as a breath of fresh air—a charming Brit who could sing with Adele, banter with Tom Hanks, and make even the most A-list celebrities feel at home in his iconic Carpool Karaoke segment. But behind the scenes, Corden’s rise to fame has been anything but smooth. From biting celebrity feuds to accusations of inauthenticity and tone-deaf jokes, the comedian’s journey through Hollywood has been marred by controversy and a growing list of high-profile haters.

So how did the affable host become one of the most divisive figures in entertainment? Let’s take a deep dive into the drama, the rivalries, and the moments that turned James Corden from late night darling to Hollywood lightning rod.

The Comedians Who Can’t Stand Corden

For many comics, late night television is sacred ground—a place for sharp wit, edgy humor, and cultural critique. But for Artie Lange, the former “Mad TV” star and Howard Stern sidekick, Corden represents everything that’s wrong with modern comedy. On his “Artie Quitter” podcast, Lange didn’t hold back: “When James Corden opens his fat mouth to do karaoke in a car, something that wouldn’t be funny to the secretaries at an accounting firm and gets an Emmy for it, I’m allowed to say he sucks.”

Lange’s rant wasn’t just about Corden personally, but about what he symbolizes: safe, prepackaged entertainment designed for mass appeal. For comics like Lange, who built their careers on raw honesty and outsider status, Corden’s mainstream success is a bitter pill.

Ricky Gervais, another British comedy heavyweight, has had a long-running rivalry with Corden dating back to 2009, when Corden parodied Gervais on a sketch show. Since then, Gervais has taken every opportunity to mock Corden, from his physique to his comedic chops. After Corden’s widely panned jokes about Harvey Weinstein at a charity gala, Gervais piled on, saying, “He didn’t do it well enough.” And at the 2020 Golden Globes, Gervais quipped, “The world got to see James Corden as a fat pussy”—a double jab at both Corden’s role in “Cats” and his appearance.

Rock Stars, Actors, and Awkward Run-Ins

It’s not just comedians who have clashed with Corden. Liam Gallagher, the notoriously blunt former Oasis frontman, dismissed Carpool Karaoke outright: “No f***ing chance, mate,” he told GQ, before calling Corden a “knobhead.” Gallagher’s disdain for glossy, mainstream entertainment stands in stark contrast to Corden’s embrace of pop culture.

Even Sir Patrick Stewart, the revered Shakespearean actor and “Star Trek” icon, couldn’t resist taking a public swipe at Corden. At the 2010 Glamour Women of the Year Awards, Stewart criticized Corden’s stage presence, telling him not to stand at the back with his hands in his pockets “looking around as though you wished you were anywhere but here.” The exchange quickly devolved into a public roast, with Stewart mocking Corden’s belly and Corden firing back with, “We can all see you dying right now.” According to reports, Stewart later regretted the incident, blaming it on alcohol and nerves.

Behind the Scenes: Writers and Industry Insiders Speak Out

Corden’s off-camera reputation has also come under fire from those who’ve worked with him. Writer Jack Allison, formerly of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” accused Corden of trying to undermine the Writers Guild of America by proposing a lower pay grade for writer’s assistants on his show. Allison claimed Corden wanted to hire assistants on short-term contracts for less money, a move immediately shot down by union officials. Corden denied the allegations, insisting he only wanted to create more opportunities for newcomers, but the incident added fuel to the narrative that his affable persona might be more show than substance.

The Bill Maher Fat-Shaming Feud

In 2019, Corden found himself in the middle of a heated cultural debate after Bill Maher argued on “Real Time” that fat shaming should make a comeback. “Some amount of shame is good,” Maher said, sparking outrage. Corden, who has long spoken openly about his struggles with weight, fired back with a heartfelt monologue on “The Late Late Show.” He argued that fat shaming only leads to depression and self-destructive behavior, and called for empathy and respect.

Maher doubled down, dismissing Corden’s response as sentimental and insisting that the issue was about public health, not personal feelings. The feud highlighted the divide between late night hosts who see themselves as truth tellers and those who advocate for compassion.

Crossing the Line: #MeToo and the Weinstein Jokes

Perhaps the most damaging controversy of Corden’s career came in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Just days after the New York Times published its bombshell investigation into Harvey Weinstein, Corden hosted a charity gala and peppered his monologue with jokes about Weinstein’s alleged abuses. “It’s so lovely Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage,” Corden quipped, drawing immediate backlash from survivors and activists.

Asia Argento, one of the first women to go public with allegations against Weinstein, tweeted, “Shame on this pig and everyone who grunted with him.” Rose McGowan called Corden a “motherf***ing piglet.” Corden quickly apologized, insisting his intent was to shame Weinstein, not his victims, but the damage was done. In a moment when Hollywood was demanding empathy and accountability, Corden’s attempt at edgy humor came across as flippant and deeply misjudged.

Hollywood Royalty and Critical Backlash

Even Hollywood royalty hasn’t escaped Corden’s candor. On his “Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts” segment, Corden named Pierce Brosnan as the rudest celebrity he’d ever met, recounting an incident at a U2 concert where Brosnan allegedly shoved him aside without a word. The revelation surprised fans, given Brosnan’s reputation as a gentleman.

Corden’s foray into film has also drawn criticism. His performance as a flamboyant gay actor in the Netflix adaptation of “The Prom” was widely panned by critics, who accused him of leaning into outdated stereotypes. Eric Anderson of Awards Watch called it “gross and offensive,” while Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson declared, “No more straight actors playing gay men until the sins of ‘The Prom’ are properly atoned for.” Despite the backlash, Corden received a Golden Globe nomination, though the controversy loomed large.

The Verdict: Why So Many Stars Hate James Corden

For every fan charmed by Corden’s musical segments and celebrity interviews, there’s a critic who sees him as emblematic of everything wrong with modern entertainment: safe, sanitized, and more interested in mass appeal than authenticity. Whether it’s comedians railing against his Emmy wins, rock stars scoffing at his viral segments, or survivors calling out his tone-deaf jokes, Corden’s career is a study in how quickly the tides of fame can turn.

Yet, for all the drama and controversy, Corden remains a fixture of late night TV, proof that in Hollywood, even the most polarizing figures can find an audience.

What do you think about James Corden’s critics? Leave your comments below. And for more behind-the-scenes drama from the entertainment world, stay tuned.