Watch the best of The Late Late Show with James Corden: Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep and golden tickets

James Corden kicked off his US talk show career last night in the States (aka about 6am this morning UK time) – but what did you miss if you were stuck on this side of the Atlantic?

Not to worry, we’ve pulled together the highlights from the Gavin & Stacey star’s premiere episode, as well as some fan reactions to the show. In case you haven’t heard, people seem to like it…

Corden began with an opening monologue that introduced American audiences to the concept of High Wycombe – while also nearly tearing up as he mentioned his parents which seemed to win over some tweeters:

only james corden can tear up in a monologue and make it cute #LateLateShow

— camille (@blowfsh) March 24, 2015

@JKCorden You're doing amazing!! Loving the monologue and your genuine kindness #LateLateShow

— The Later Show (@TheLaterShow) March 24, 2015

But how had relative unknown Corden got the prestigious job? Well, as one funny skit showed, it was more luck than anything – could we have had Eddie Redmayne, Lena Dunham or Simon Cowell at the helm instead? Either way, audiences loved it – as well as the Arnold Schwarzenegger/Jay Leno/Meryl Streep training scene that followed. Corden proved he could call on serious some star power to aid his debut… 

Jay Leno giving James Corden American talk show host lessons… this is fabulous.. @JKCorden #LateLateShow

— TheShoppingTrend (@trendsites) March 24, 2015

#LateLateShow The golden ticket idea was cheesy and cute at the same time

— martha preston (@marthapreston4) March 24, 2015

#JamesCorden funniest open vid piece to a new show ever. #LateLateShow and give it up to #JayLeno on @CBS how weird was THAT? Good stuff

— Parker andTheMan (@parkerandtheman) March 24, 2015

@JKCorden Your first show was amazing! That Host Training sketch killed! #LateLateShow

— Eric Wagner (@ProfessorE59) March 24, 2015

Love me some James Corden. This opening film bit was star-studded perfection! #LateLateShow #smithy

— Dan R. (@dsrbroadway) March 24, 2015

Still, what would a chat show be without some chat? Soon, Corden was soon nattering away with guests Mila Kunis and Tom Hanks on a variety of topics – incuding manspreading…

Okay, props for having a discussion of manspreading on late night network TV, #LateLateShow

— The Singing Owl (@OwlWithAGuitar) March 24, 2015

This debut episode of #LateLateShow with James Corden is reinforcing the universal fact it is impossible to dislike Tom Hanks. #manspreading

— Charles Lettuce (@Odnetnin) March 24, 2015

By now we were getting a general sense of what people thought of Corden – they liked him!

Just watched @JKCorden host his first #LateLateShow. Liked the vibe. He seems genuinely nice and worth rooting for.

— Sean Stevens (@RadioBoySean) March 24, 2015

This @latelateshow w/ @JKCorden premiere is everything I hoped it would be and so much more #LateLateShow #Corden

— Eryn Karmiller (@karmilleryn) March 24, 2015

Not even 30 minutes and I can't stop smiling. This is absolutely fantastic. #LateLateShow #Corden

— abe-y driver (@abetarantino) March 24, 2015

Loved the first #LateLateShow with James Corden. I've always thought interviews are better with all celebs together a la Graham Norton.

— Richard Hughes (@Hughes_Richard1) March 24, 2015

@JKCorden I don't know how you can keep this level of quality every night. Because you absolutely killed it. #LateLateShow

— Perry Goldman (@Pego89) March 24, 2015

And then the show really became a hit with the viewers, as Corden and Hanks re-enacted the latter’s entire filmography. The US cant get enough of James Corden in a wig, it would seem.

Just laughed straight through that sketch with Tom Hanks. @JKCorden is off to a really good start!!! @latelateshow #LateLateShow #Corden

— Alexis (@TheRealAlexis) March 24, 2015

The Hanks-Corden movie recap thing was a home run. Silly, ragtag and so much fun. #LateLateShow

— TV MoJoe (@TVMoJoe) March 24, 2015

OMG @tomhanks doing his Woody voice!! Obsessed! I love @JKCorden !! #LateLateShow #Corden

— girl almighty ♚ (@duchessbrianna) March 24, 2015

wow, not many big celebs would've done all that work for a bit on a talk show.. props to tom hanks for that. #latelateshow

— Ⓒ (@indaeo) March 24, 2015

@tomhanks is such an awesome dude! That skit with Corden was so great! Thank you, Mr. Hanks & Mr. Corden for making my night! #LateLateShow

— ?SilentFan85? (@SilentFan85) March 24, 2015

Finally, though, it had to end – in this case, with a song that warmed the cockles of the audience’s hearts…

.@JKCorden song at the end of the new #LateLateShow was a nice touch. ?

— Erika (@totemsunrise) March 24, 2015

That song was weirdly earnest. I think I liked it? #LateLateShow

— Kevin Fallon (@kpfallon) March 24, 2015

.@latelateshow @JKCorden That song, though… And I had JUST recovered from the monologue. #LateLateShow #Corden pic.twitter.com/967ozIu0mx

— Eryn Karmiller (@karmilleryn) March 24, 2015