James Corden Adele Carpool Karaoke H 2015
CBS/ScreenshotIt took less than two weeks, but Adele’s epic “Carpool Karaoke” session with Late Late Show host James Corden has already become the show’s most popular video on YouTube, besting similar sing-along segments featuring Justin Bieber and One Direction. “Adele Carpool Karaoke” has been streamed roughly 56 million times since airing on Jan. 13 on the CBS talker, edging out Bieber’s eight-month-old appearance.
In the video, which was taped while both were in London for the holidays, Adele and Corden belt out “Hello,” Someone Like You,” “All I Ask,” and “Rolling in the Deep,” and squeeze in some Spice Girls and Nicki Minaj along the way.
Speaking with Vulture, Late Late Show executive producer Ben Winston revealed that although Adele was only booked for an hour, she and Corden ended up generating two hours of footage. Winston said that typically the show’s editor ends up with 10 minutes of usable “Carpool” footage, but with Adele it was more like 54 minutes. However, don’t hold your breath for a sequel. “‘The best television always leaves you wanting more,” Winston said.
Just how popular is Adele? The promo teasing her appearance has more views (9.7 million) than “Carpool Karaoke” segments featuring Jason Derulo (8.6 million) and Carrie Underwood (8.2 million).
Viral videos have been Corden’s bread and butter since he took over the CBS franchise on March 9, 2015. Aside from the karaoke clips, he has riffed with Anna Kendrick, played dodgeball with One Direction and updated an old classic with Alanis Morissette. In one of his most popular segments, he enlisted Tom Hanks in acting out the icon’s filmography.
Winston said the show’s YouTube channel is expected to hit a half billion views in March. “[A show] has to have an impact. And in this day and age, you’re not necessarily making that impact in the time slot you’re on. You’re making it when people are watching it on their tablets, or their phones, or their mobile devices,” he said.
This story first appeared on Billboard.
