James Corden Has George Michael to Thank For the Infectious Joy That Is “Carpool Karaoke”

“Carpool Karaoke” has become a huge part of why a lot of people watch The Late, Late Show with James Corden. There’s something so infectiously joyous about Corden, a devout music lover, singing along to some of his favorite music with the artists themselves…in a car. As if they’re old friends. Apparently, we have the late George Michael to thank for this, too, among many other things.

In this clip from Corden’s first show back after the holidays, he explains that the very first time he sang in a car with a music celebrity was back in 2011, when he was working as an actor in the UK and was invited to do a sketch for Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day show. He came up with an idea for a sketch, and he and the production team approached George Michael, who was happy to do it, even scheduling a call from Australia to talk to him about it for an hour.

The resulting sketch is adorable and totally snarky. Especially when, as he wonders why Corden isn’t inviting him to Comic Relief, guesses that it’s “because you don’t want to be seen with a gay man!” forcing Corden on the defensive and Michael to put on his best pouty-face. And then, of course, there’s the singing, specifically to Wham!’s “I’m Your Man,” which is priceless. Corden has since used this sketch to invite the first celebrities to do “Carpool Karaoke,” and the rest is viral video history.

After Michael’s passing, we’ve been learning that in addition to public charitable acts like this one, he engaged in many more instances of privately helping people and charities under the condition of anonymity. Apparently, we have him to thank for “Carpool Karaoke,” too.

So thank you, George Michael, for giving us so many ways in which to be joyful.

(via The Daily Dot, image via screencap)

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