James Corden 'Nails It' In US Talk Show Debut

James Corden has been given the thumbs-up by an American audience after the British star made his eagerly anticipated debut as host of a late-night US chat show.

The 36-year-old actor and writer has taken over at the helm of The Late Late Show on CBS - succeeding Scottish comic Craig Ferguson - and has admitted the move is a huge career gamble.

And, after weeks of rehearsals and a blitz of publicity in the US, Tom Hanks and Mila Kunis joined Corden for the recording of the first show in front of a live audience in Los Angeles.

Kunis delivered an exclusive for the debut show by - almost - confirming that she and partner Ashton Kutcher had got married.

One group, who had travelled from Orange County to be in the audience, told Sky News that Corden, to use a phrase of his, had "nailed it".

Kristin Latourelle said: "It was really amazing and really funny. He was adorable and wonderful and just really fun and he just seemed like a kid in a candy store having the greatest time of his life.

"It was really fun to be part of that and, being on the first show, the excitement level was high and he was just so giddy."

Brianne McDowell added: "I have never experienced anything like it. He was gracious and happy to have everyone there and he was so thankful for the opportunity.

"He was personable, talking about his family and his kids. He was really funny."

Katie Wahrenbrock said: "It was so much fun. He is so funny and talented and the accent was fabulous."

Sarah Pringle said: "He's so charming, so easy, talking about his family, talking to the guests, it was so cute."

The biggest change for US viewers is that Corden has insisted all of the guests stay on stage together throughout the show.

Melanie Meegan said: "That's not something you see here a lot of the time. I know in the UK that The Graham Norton Show has all the guests on at the same time.

"I really liked that idea, it makes it more personal."

Before the first show was recorded, Corden said: "It is different to everything I have ever done. I don't even really know what I'm about to do. I'm talking like I have any authority but I know nothing."

But Debra Birnbaum, executive editor at Variety magazine, is convinced that Corden will succeed.

She told Sky News: "He's an unknown quantity so there is a certain risk inherent in that but I go back to the idea that he is a blank slate and he's got to introduce himself.

"There's a challenge in that but he's tremendous personality, people know him from his success on Broadway and in the movie he just did, so let's see what he can do for us."

Corden says the biggest challenge for his new show, which is shown after midnight every night, is keeping viewers awake.

From the summer, it will follow the new-look Late Show featuring David Letterman's replacement Stephen Colbert.