CBS announces that James Corden’s ‘Late Late Show’ run will end with a roar in April

James Corden’s final night with “The Late Late Show” is just months away and will include more fanfare than usual.

CBS announced Friday that “The Late Late Show with James Corden” will air its final episode on April 27 at 12:37 a.m. Pacific. Before the finale that Corden said is bound to be emotional, CBS will air a prime-time special dedicated to the English comedian’s time behind the desk.

The network will “celebrate the incredible groundbreaking impact James Corden has made on late night television,” the release about the finale stated. “The Last Last Late Late Show” will also air April 27, at 10 p.m.

CBS also revealed that the Tony winner will team with “Top Gun: Maverick” star Tom Cruise for “an epic musical performance during ‘The Lion King’” at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.

As “The Late Late Show’s” final day nears, more details around the special and guests joining the show’s lineup will be revealed, CBS said.

Corden announced that he would be leaving the show in April of 2022.

“I never want this show to overstay its welcome in any way. I always want to love making it,” he told fans near the top of an episode. “And I really think in a year from now, that will be a good time to move on and see what else might be out there.”

Corden’s move marked the first of last year’s many late-night shuffles. In July 2022, TBS canceled “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” and months later Trevor Noah announced his exit from “The Daily Show.”

After “The Late Late Show’s” run ends in April, CBS will reportedly fill the vacant time slot with a reboot of the game show “@midnight.”

Leading up to Corden’s final episode, CBS said it will “increase the audience size” of “The Late Late Show” to accommodate fans who “want to attend a taping before” the series ends.

Corden debuted as “The Late Late Show” host in 2015, and has since gained popularity for his “Carpool Karaoke” segment and gone viral for several sketches — including that infamous “Cinderella” stunt. During his tenure, “The Late Late Show” won several Emmy Awards.

Corden said last year it might be best to get the tissues ready for his final episode.

“There will be so many tears. ‘Cause this has been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, it really has,” he said. “I’ve never taken this job for granted. Ever. Not once.”

Times staff writer Tracy Brown contributed to this report.