The pitfalls of breaking the States

The pitfalls of breaking the States

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Monday, 23rd March 2015

Tonight will be a nervous one for James Corden as he debuts as the newest host of America's The Late Late Show.

US broadcaster CBS confirmed Corden's recruitment for the channel's post-midnight slot last year, citing his "charm, warmth and originality".

Yet that charm may be lost in translation as test audiences have already claimed they struggle to understand his accent, mannerisms and humour - a challenge met by many Brits before Corden.

He may be a household name in the UK but to our trans-Atlantic cousins the term 'Gavlar' will draw the same blank expressions met by Cheryl Cole's Geordie lilt.

The land of opportunity has proved fruitful for some, including Corden's predecessor Craig Ferguson, but plenty of Brits have failed to win over American hearts.

Singer and X Factor judge, now known as Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, was famously sacked from the US version of the talent show in 2011 after producers claimed nobody would understand her accent.

Simon Cowell later clarified he dropped her because she had "lost her confidence" - a trait in which we Brits feel distinctly lacking in comparison with Americans.

So is Received Pronunciation and chutzpah the key to success in the States?

Judging by the cancellation of Piers Morgan's prime-time talk show, apparently not.

The Piers Morgan Live host's unwavering confidence and outspoken opinion on U.S issues caused more than 30,000 people to petition his deportation from the country.

However, steering clear of comment cannot be attributed to the success of comedian John Oliver's show Last Week Tonight on HBO.

Oliver's determination to make fools of every official, corporation and journalist in the States has won him critical acclaim, not to mention a weekly average of 4.1 million viewers and a contract for a further two seasons.

Birmingham-born model and presenter, Cat Deeley has also hit the spot hosting FOX's So You Think You Can Dance.

A Brummy accent has been no barrier to success as this month she received the pinnacle of American appreciation - a guest appearance in The Simpsons.

One common factor in British victory on US TV is equal measures of online presence.

Cat Deeley's style preparations for SYTYCD is documented for her Yahoo! series, In the Dressing Room. John Oliver has buoyed up his TV ratings with extended segments and web exclusives on YouTube.

Fortunately for CBS, James Corden is no stranger to online, boasting 4.92 million Twitter followers - more than twice as many as Ferguson.

That army of tweeters will put him in good stead when he battles Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel not just in the late-night ratings, but in the increasingly relevant next-day social media buzz.

By Rebecca Stewart

@bexstewart1

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