Patrick Stewart vs James Corden: A Step Too Far?
Published on Thursday 10th June, 11.03am, Written by Amy Whiting
Tuesday night saw a rather uncomfortable moment between James Corden and Sir Patrick Stewart at the Glamour magazine awards.
The Gavin and Stacey star, who was presenting the ceremony, came under criticism from Stewart before he presented Zoe Saldana her Best Actress award.
James Corden and Sir Patrick Stewart at the awards
First of all the Star Trek actor appeared to giving Cordon advice on how to present at an awards show, albeit with a very sarcastic tone. “Don’t stand at the back of the stage with your hands in your pockets looking around as though you wished you were anywhere but here.” With all of his knowledge maybe he was right to give him some ‘useful tips’. Or maybe it was totally unnecessary.
But then he well and truly lowered the tone with a bunch of unoriginal ‘fat boy’ jokes.
Stewart proceeded to make fun of his weight. “From where I was sitting I could see your belly (cue nervous laughter from audience) and that was right over there at the back of the room.” Mature stuff.
The thing is, if you are a widely acclaimed actor, there really is no need to lower yourself shamefully in front of a huge audience. James Cordon — although he may not be up to Stewart’s level of acting — has the likeability factor, which can carry you a long way. He genuinely looked stunned at the way he was being ridiculed.
I’m really not sure of the reasoning behind Stewart’s behavior; was he trying to be funny or just having a bad day? Who knows. After recently being knighted he doesn’t need to prove himself in any way. Surely that’s a big enough indication of your ability.
So who do you think was in the wrong? Comments please…
James Corden is an idiot who thinks he’s a bigger star than he is. Patrick’s jokes didn’t really hit the mark though.
I’ve only seen the video after the fact, but got the feeling that it was a scripted bit that went horribly wrong. Otherwise surely the organisers would have been rushing to intervene?
Or maybe Sir Patch really does dislike Corden – understandable – he gets +100 points from me for writing our generations G&S (Gavin and Stacey, obviously), but negative point building all the time after that questionable ‘sketch’ show and dire film about gay werewolves or something*.
*NB I KNOW it’s lesbian vampiures, but I refuse to give it the dignity or referring to it by its proper name. I prefer “Useless Waste of Celluloid” (Coming soon to a DVD bargain bin near you)
I feel extremely disappointed in Patrick Stewart and totally agree with Amy. What was he thinking? I had always really respected Patrick Stewart and I still believe he is an excellent and talented actor. Unfortunately the most talented and successful people in life are not always the most pleasant.
I suppose I have always seen Patrick Stewart as a quintessential English gentleman and it shocks me to see that he was so rude and disrespectful. If he had a problem with James Corden’s style of presenting then he could have had a quiet word after the award ceremony but he was blatantly trying to humiliate James.
There is absolutely no excuse for mocking James’ weight, it is a cheap shot and reminds me of something an insecure school bully would do. Thankfully James Corden is quick witted and did a reasonable job of sticking up for himself. I would like to add that I am not really a fan of James Corden’s work but have been a big fan of Patrick Stewart’s work over the years.
Patrick Stewart should redeem himself and apologise!
I would just like to put the alleged “Fat boy” jibes into context. James Corden spent a majority of the evening making fun of the celebrities giving the awards (this is not shown on the video clip). Patrick Stewart, having maybe had one sherry too many, decided to turn the tables and give Corden a tatse of his own medicine. James, utterly shocked that someone famous wasn’t praising him and telling him what a comedy genius he is then showed everyone just how well educated he is in his craft by using ‘thug’ tactics, and getting in Patrick’s face. Utterly unprofessional and not to mention cringe worthy.
I agree with Johnny Jackson, James Corden is just another overweight Northerner comedian and lets face it they are a dime a dozen.
If Corden was standing there pretending to be bored by Patrick’s speech and he got caught then why shouldn’t Patrick pull him up on it. O.k Patrick Stewart isn’t a stand up comedian and clearley isn’t gifted in quick whitty insults but he is an actor with 50 odd years in the business and Corden has what 5 or 6 maybe a little more? He is at this moment the Jamie Oliver of Comedy and is trying his hardest to be the new Ricky Gervias, in 10 years time he would have done a few more Red Nose day specials and maybe get to shake the PM’s hand and that will be his career over or he will move to the sates like his idle (Ricky) and I bet Sir Patrick Stewart will still be going strong long after James Corden career has ended.
Ahem…. James Corden is not another fat Northern comic – he is another fat High Wycombe comic…
Northern?
He’s from Buckinghamshire.
Ricky Gervais is from Reading.
Neither of them are funny but neither are either of them northern.
The north has lots of funny people, most of whom aren’t overweight. The overweight ones aren’t often that funny…
except perhaps Peter Kay…
O.k you got me I should have done my homework I just made a rough guess, although they are Geographicaly Northern to where I live.. that still doesn’t count does it? lol
I know the North has loads of good comics I am sorry for the poor comment the real point of that line (although poorly gotten across) was another gimmick roly poly comic that has a big ego because they have found a moderate bit of fame. I don’t find Ricky or James that funny either to be honest. I think it just shows the lack of respect James has for a man that has worked damn hard to get where he is today, and that’s way ahead of where James is right now. He has jumped on the Charity band wagon after his successful comedy has ended to further his career and that for me is the wrong reason to do so such a thing. He will be speaking to the PM next on how to make Britain a fun place to be and plug some book at the same time (like J Oliver), you can see the ego getting bigger and him trying such a thing. I guess the real point is I disliked him before and respected Patrick Stewart and I still respect Stewart and dislike James Corden even more now.
Personally i like james corden and i think that what “sir” patick steward was totally unexeptible because he apparently is more mature so he should have acted his age and if he didnt like how james was acting he should have had a quite word instead of making himself look like a arragont pig
Yeah Patrick act your age James Corden is only 32 for gods sake. lol
Shame on them both for taking the limelight off Zoe Saldana.
Acting like a pair of school kids, I have lost a lot of respect for both of them.
Zoe was the only one who acted with any decency. She is the only loser here because of these two ungentlemanly pillocks.
I just wanted to say Patrick Stewart is a Northerner, born in Mirfield -West Yorkshire.
the whole thing was embarrassing. They were both in the wrong and made themselves look like idiots. if Patrick has some advice for James on how to present then do it in the correct manner – after the show. I thought James was right to have a go back but it was ridiculous. Highly embarrassing.