James Corden, the host of The Late Late Show, found himself correcting actor Timothée Chalamet during Friday's episode of The Graham Norton Show. The exchange, which transpired on December 20, became the highlight of the night, effectively illustrating the cultural chasm between British and American television audiences.
Chalamet joined Corden, who was accompanied by co-star Ruth Jones, along with Andrew Garfield and Colman Domingo, to promote his new biopic about Bob Dylan, A Complete Unknown. The stir began when Norton casually asked Chalamet and Domingo, the only two Americans on the show, if they were aware of the widespread phenomenon surrounding the long-running sitcom Gavin and Stacey, which is set to air its eagerly anticipated finale this Christmas.
Chalamet admitted he had not seen the show, stating, "I realize this is the end of the third season? Fourth season? Third said." His bemusement left the audience amused as Corden quipped back, "Well, it's the end of it forever." The humorous confusion escalated when Chalamet joked, "James is never going to have me on his show again now," referencing Corden's The Late Late Show on CBS.
Corden quickly clarified, "It’s alright, this show doesn’t exist anymore,” bringing laughter from the audience and comical embarrassment to Chalamet, who had already felt out of his depth. The conversation then shifted back to Jones and Corden, who attempted to explain to the American guests why Gavin and Stacey was concluding. Jones noted the show had been running for 17 years, shocking both Chalamet and Domingo.
After realizing the depth of their misunderstanding, Domingo remarked, "Oh wow! You were totally wrong," prompting Chalamet to exclaim, “You told me it was three seasons!” Chalamet's astonishment mirrored the audience’s amusement as Norton clarified, “It’s three seasons over 17 years,” leaving everyone more confused than before.
The laughter did not stop there. Earlier on the show, as Corden commented on the fashion choices of other guests, he cheekily noted Chalamet’s eccentric outfit, quipping, "Timothée, if I was wearing [that], I’d look like I was going through a breakdown. People would say to me: ‘Are you OK?’" His playful ribbing illuminated the camaraderie on the set, but it also marked the rising pressure Corden felt heading toward the finale of Gavin and Stacey.
Discussing the legacy of the sitcom, Corden stated, "We started writing 20 years ago and it’s nuts, inconceivable, it means more to people now than it did 20 years ago.” He continued, acknowledging the weight of expectations to deliver during the upcoming Christmas special. “I still feel pressure; there’s pressure all the time because you don’t want to let anybody down,” he confessed.
His metaphor likening the pressure of creating the Christmas special to playing football for England struck with its gravity. Corden explained, "And so, it’s a lot… but we’ve really tried our absolute best." His reflections encapsulated the emotional stakes involved, not only for him but also for the audience eagerly awaiting the show.
The exchange between Corden and Chalamet may have been marked by confusion, but it painted a vivid picture of cultural clashing, mixing humor with the series' rich history. The awkward yet endearing moments highlighted the blend of American and British television, underscoring how shows like Gavin and Stacey not only entertain but also evoke significant nostalgia among fans.
Corden's blend of humor and vulnerability on the show served to draw viewers closer to both the facets of comedy and the pressures surrounding beloved cultural phenomena. It may have been just another night on Norton’s couch, but for Chalamet, the experience proved unforgettable— albeit with plenty of learning moments about the iconic British sitcom.
