James Corden is obviously a peppy, spirited fellow, but a good talk show host takes it easy with that. I respect the bravery Corden has shown by declining to sit behind the traditional desk. He’s banking that giving up that authority and protection will be read as “I’m more open than…well, Jimmy Kimmel anyway.” Chelsea Handler went this route. Ditto Bill Maher‘s old Politically Incorrect show and David Susskind’s talk show of the ’60s and ’70s. And of course the morning talk shows are wide open. But desk and tables are fairly ubiquitous in the evening.
