James Corden And Friends Are Very Funny In ‘Very British Problems’
Lately, it seems that James Corden in everywhere on American television, and now, he is featured in the extremely amusing Very British Problems, which is a series where the British make fun of themselves (and the French, and the Spanish, and, of course, Americans). Corden is great and campy during his “Carpool Karaoke” segment, but in Very British Problems, fans get a look at the real James Corden, a Brit living in, of all places, Los Angeles, and the personal problems that Corden and other famous Brits deal with on a daily. Previously, the Very British Problems series was only available on Channel 4 in the U.K., but now can be seen in America on Acorn TV.
American television is loaded with reruns during the summer, so the new offerings on streaming services like Acorn TV are a welcome diversion, according to the Inquisitr. Shows like Midsomer Murders and Murdoch Mysteries can only be seen in their entirety on Acorn TV. One of the newest series is Agatha Raisin, which combines everything fans enjoy about a great British mystery series. Agatha Raisin decided to retire to the quiet Cotswolds, but boredom sets in fast, and like Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote, Agatha Raisin jumps in to solve murders in what seems to be a rash of crime in the country.
? turibulum: MI6 + Very British Problems https://t.co/heA1oafJrB
— Maj ? (@1outside) August 3, 2016
The New York Times says that Very British Problems examines the comedic side of those who keep calm and carry on through daily discomfort. The series Very British Problems is a take off of the Twitter handle @SoVeryBritish by journalist Rob Temple and includes Brits from comedy, sports, entertainment, and politics, explaining that even the act of saying hello and goodbye can be really uncomfortable.
While shows of this ilk in the United States, like I Love the ’80s on VH1 usually attract B- and C-list celebs, Very British Problems has a few rather big names, including James Corden, Julie Walters, Stephen Mangan, and Dr. Who alum David Tennant. As expected, Very British Problems isn’t laugh-out-loud funny, but it’s more the dry, witty, and somewhat snarky kind of humor Americans expect from Brits.
@PauldMcNamee Watching Very British Problems and there's James Corden (in LA, I presume) reading @BigIssue. pic.twitter.com/qy2BGAMGjb
— Eamonn Forde (@Eamonn_Forde) May 21, 2016
It is very obvious, simply based on the huge amount of sunlight, that James Corden is putting in his two cents from California, as Corden is backlit by almost blinding sunlight. James Corden’s interviews all take place in a very modern, very white kitchen that belies his claims that he prefers all things and all behaviors British. And by the way, never go into James Corden’s fridge without asking, and when he says to “make yourself at home,” he doesn’t really mean it.
The best of very British problems handpicked by @LDN #londonlife #britain #summer https://t.co/nQ4hNwHazy pic.twitter.com/FcUeI8wsWN
— MyLondonHome (@MyLondonHome) July 28, 2016
People Magazine reports that Very British Problems proves that it’s not easy being British. In fact, it can be very painful to one’s psyche. The gang that appears on Very British Problems would likely take great pity on actor and comedian James Corden, who has the misery of being a Brit in sunny Los Angeles. Somewhere in the background, the Sting song “An Englishman in New York is playing.”
Corden explains that even the simple act of greeting someone can cause great angst for Brit.
“We don’t know where we’re at. We just like to be very straight on a very normal handshake. Now it’s thumb, it’s one arm.”
And don’t get Corden started on the continental and American habit of kissing people when you meet (for the record, Brits do not understand American friendliness and find it quite suspicious).
“The one or two kisses is a killer. I don’t understand it. They’re not even kisses. I’m just putting my chin near your shoulder.”
British actor Nigel Havers is on board with James Corden in terms of the horror of greeting people.
“It’s very awkward. Sometimes my mate goes for the hand, and I go for the kiss. There’s no rule, is there?”
Very British Problems shows Americans that even the things that we never consider can ruin the day of a Brit. Don’t even get them started on gift-giving.
Have you seen James Corden and his mates on Very British Problems on Acorn TV?
[Photo by Acorn TV]
