James Corden’s NSFW Joke Bombs at Breakthrough Prize Ceremony
Gather ’round, dear readers, and let’s dissect the latest cringe-worthy moment from the land of celebrity where humor often flops harder than a fish out of water. At the 2025 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony, James Corden, everyone’s favorite British talk show host turned joke-teller, attempted to tickle the audience’s funny bone with an NSFW quip involving none other than Dame Judi Dench and Dr. Anthony Fauci. Spoiler alert: it didn’t land well. Corden’s joke about a supposed “one-night stand” between the venerable Dench and the esteemed immunologist was met with an eerie silence, punctuated by the shocked expression of Olivia Wilde, who looked like she had just bitten into a sour lemon. This is not just a tale of awkwardness; it’s a reflection of Corden’s ongoing battle with humor that straddles the line between clever and cringe.
This isn’t the first time the former Late Late Show host has faced backlash for his comedic missteps. Cast your minds back to the 2017 AmfAR Gala when he made a tasteless joke about Harvey Weinstein, mere moments after serious allegations against the disgraced producer surfaced. In a room filled with glamour and glitz, Corden managed to inject an inappropriate jab that sent ripples of discomfort throughout the audience. Following that debacle, he took to social media to clarify that he was not making light of a very serious issue—because clearly, that was necessary.
Corden has also been embroiled in controversy regarding his treatment of restaurant staff, with restaurateur Keith McNally calling him an “abusive” customer. While Corden defended himself by claiming he didn’t yell or scream, he later admitted to making a rude comment, which he labeled as ungracious. This ongoing saga of Corden’s questionable comedic choices and interpersonal interactions raises the question: Is he navigating the tricky waters of humor and public persona, or is he simply out of touch?
As the world of celebrity continues to evolve, one can’t help but ponder whether Corden’s brand of humor is a relic of a bygone era. In today’s climate, where sensitivity and social awareness reign supreme, the ability to tell a joke without stepping on toes is becoming increasingly complex. Perhaps the lesson here is that some jokes need to be left in the ether, unspoken, lest they turn into a full-blown awkward silence at a star-studded event.
In the end, we’re left wondering if Corden will learn from this latest faux pas or if he’ll continue to be the jester who occasionally misses the mark. Class dismissed. Try not to let this newfound wisdom go to waste.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, Daily Mail
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
