James Corden - general perceptions?

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 2:44am

After last night's Carpool Karaoke, a (gay) facebook friend posted a link with a comment that he was surprised to learn that James Corden isn't gay. Followed by a half dozen comments (primarily from women - which may or may not be germane) expressing surprise. Background - my friend lives and works in Jacksonville FL, comes from Nebraska, and I assume has a lot of family and primarily straight friends and coworkers as his Facebook friends.

Following James Corden's career for a couple of years or so, I knew of his background. And also of his support of and comfort with the gay community. But it was surprising to hear from so many people that they had assumed he was gay.

Am I oblivious (in this) - does it surprise you that there seem to be a lot of people that assume he's gay [presumably because he's "theatrical"]?

No need to get into innuendo here - I was just blindsided by reactions that really surprised me.

Updated On: 7/22/16 at 02:44 AM

[gypsy101]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 2:58am

Hmm I never thought he was gay but I am a little surprised to learn he's married with 2 kids. He seemed more like a single guy to me.

[aaaaaa15]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 2:59am

I live in the UK so me and most of the people I know have known of James for a long time. I've never heard any speculation about him being gay, nor have I ever thought he was myself.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 3:06am

If people don't know him some of that might be because he overtly joke-flirts with male guests. I guess?

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 3:20am

I always say, I wish he was gay. I'd defile that man.

[sparepart973]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 3:28am

Your friends and his friends seem to be very sheltered. He couldn't be more of a "straight bloke" British boy mold. Nothing about him made me think he was camp. As Gypsy101 said, he does come across as a bachelor but definitely not gay. 

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 7:42am

Have to admit I've gotten a bi vibe, but probably just wishful thinking. It's the boyish enthusiasm. 

[darquegk]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 8:00am

I don't know how much it connects, but Corden played a single father in a faux gay couple with Matt Smith's Eleventh Doctor on "Doctor Who," and the Doctor is canonically "flexible" about those things. Given how big of a space "Doctor Who" took up in pop culture, maybe some of his character, combined with his British bloke personality, gave people the wrong idea.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 8:51am

 

He's chubby, funny, flamboyant, British, and into musical theater--any one of which seems gay to Americans.

But, no, he's not gay. He's just chubby, funny, flamboyant, British, into musical theater--and fabulous.

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 9:48am

He reminds me of a cute, fun-loving "bear." 

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 10:13am

y'all need to stop. lol. good one @pattiluponefanatic.

 

[Tag]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 12:11pm

I think it's just the American sensibility.  Remember as Legally Blonde so wisely taught us, Gay or European?

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 1:44pm

Just before his TV success, Corden was seriously considering playing the lead in a revival of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, not to add to the metrosexual aspect being discussed. Sad he didn't do it, he would have been brilliant, and he would have gotten all the pathos and humor of the role, and sang it beautifully. 

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 3:42pm

As Aurora?   j/k

[Emma MK]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 5:07pm

darquegk said: "I don't know how much it connects, but Corden played a single father in a faux gay couple with Matt Smith's Eleventh Doctor on "Doctor Who," and the Doctor is canonically "flexible" about those things. Given how big of a space "Doctor Who" took up in pop culture, maybe some of his character, combined with his British bloke personality, gave people the wrong idea."

Not sure what episode you were watching but that wasnt it at all XD James character was in love with his best friend Sophie, who he ended up marrying and having a kid with. There was nothing mentioned about being gay or pretending to be or being a single father XD

 

I dont think ive ever thought James to be gay, he seems too 'lad-ish' to me.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 7:04pm

I think he did a great job on the Tony's.  I'd like to see him do it again!  HIs nightly show is very likable and I never  for a minute thought of him as a gay man since that is crux of this.

[PattyO'Furniture]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 10:32pm

Very interesting thread.  

I'm in the minority - there is neither a male nor a masculine vibe I get from James Corden, whatsoever.  His vocal inflection, affect, gesticulation, none of it registers as male/masculine to me.  I, too, was surprised that he identified as a straight male. 

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 7/22/16 at 11:54pm

OK you lost me at male.  LOL  He's never seemed, well, not male to me--though I'd agree he's not masculine at least not in the North American way (which ties into what others have said about the UK upper class lad stereotype reading differently in the US). 

A certain someone sent me a lovely PM complaining about my comment way back that maybe some people read him as gay because he makes constant jokey comments about how very attractive his attractive male guests are and even jokes about being interested in them.  I didn't mean offense, and I have no idea why anyone would think I did--I'm all for people flirting in a playful way with members of whatever gender/sexuality--my point is, while the UK remains homophobic about a lot, that kind of humour is much more accepted and played with on UK TV, etc, than I've seen on US tv.

[darquegk]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 12:05am

Emma, you on,y saw his first episode. In his second appearance he has the baby (Stormageddon), and is paired with Matt Smith at the store.

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 12:07am

Interesting that these replies, in general, are what I'd expect. (Again, it never occurred to me that he wasn't anything but a straight guy who had spent years around gay folks and was very comfortable and aware of the gay community)

Thinking of "Gay or European" especially to those not familiar with the gay world, I can more easily see how some might make the misidentification - especially if they were basing it on his Tony hosting and Carpool Karaoke segments.
By the way, of 8 people commenting on his facebook post, five thought he was gay. Of the three others, one was me and another was a friend who is very familiar with him.

Updated On: 7/23/16 at 12:07 AM

[mamaleh]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 12:18am

I saw him in both THE HISTORY BOYS and ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS on Broadway and never once got a gay vibe---just a very able, funny, versatile and likable guy.  I was disappointed that he wouldn't be doing A FUNNY THING but am glad he's achieved such success in the US with his enjoyable late-night show. Maybe a Pseudolus in his future...?

[brian1973]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 2:07am

It's really bizarre to a lot of us Brits that he's so popular in the US. He's widely disliked in the uk. Maybe it's the classic Americans just loving a British accent thing, but he's really just a fat guy who got very lucky, For a country with such brilliant comedy like Modern Family and Parks and Rec etc, I'm amazed anyone finds him funny.

[aaaaaa15]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 2:46am

I don't know, he had his glory days in the UK with 'Gavin and Stacey' and then started becoming more unlikeable as time went on, with 'Lesbian Vampire Killers' and being a disastrous host of the Brit Awards. He seems to work well in a talk show format and carpool karaoke has probably been the best thing that could have happened to him in regards to his popularity in the US. He seems to be more focused on his theatrical image now (Into the Woods, hosting the Tonys etc.) than his laddish image which I think does him a lot of good.

[indytallguy]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 7:28am

I enjoy his enthusiasm and quirkiness ... in small doses.

But I find it too much in larger quantities.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 7:33am

brian1973 said: "It's really bizarre to a lot of us Brits that he's so popular in the US. He's widely disliked in the uk. Maybe it's the classic Americans just loving a British accent thing, but he's really just a fat guy who got very lucky, For a country with such brilliant comedy like Modern Family and Parks and Rec etc, I'm amazed anyone finds him funny.

Brian:  Your words kind of seem to confirm a point of view that I've read about (some) Brits and their opinions of successful countrymen.  In the past, I've read some comments (here and there) by some British celebrities/actors who mention that there are those in the British public who hate/dislike/ are jealous? of those who get famous here in the U.S.  When he started his U.S. show, I wasn't too keen on the show's concept/presentation.  It took me a while to get used to that and to him.  Ultimately, he comes across very well:  like a big ole witty, talented and charming teddy bear.  Here in the U.S., we embrace those artists who become successful and have a decent personality.  I can only speak of what I see.  Who knows what type of person he is off-camera?  But in the age of reality tv faux stars with a paucity of talent and dodgy manners, James Corden presents himself well on the small screen and in other formats.