James Cordon to have first CBS interview Friday on ‘The Late Show with David Letterman’

James Corden is probably going to be spending much of the next couple of months feeling a little bit of pressure. The actor / performer / comic has been tapped already to be the new host of “The Late Late Show,” but there may still be many out there wondering an answer to the following: Who in the world is this guy?

To most of the people wondering this very thing, you’re going to have an opportunity to see him on Friday night. Corden has been booked as a guest on “The Late Show with David Letterman” Friday, which will be a huge chance for him to make himself known to an American audience and show what he is capable of doing.

It’s interesting in a while; while CBS is not taking a big risk in hiring a white man to take over their show, they are taking one courtesy of hiring someone who the majority of Americans have never seen. If he establishes a rough landing early, it could be hard to win people back. Another challenge here is merely having to replace someone in Craig Ferguson who is so beloved among his followers, and is also a pretty good interviewer in addition to a good comic. The interviewing aspect of things often gets overlooked; while Letterman is undoubtedly the best in the business, Jimmy Kimmel and Jon Stewart are both often pretty fantastic in this regard. Meanwhile, Jimmy Fallon struggles to come across as anything other than a fan, and therefore typically makes his money playing silly games with the guest.

Ferguson steps down from the show next month, and based on current reports, Corden will likely take over at some point in the early spring.

We’ll have more news as it happens; for now, just head over here to get some further TV updates on all we cover, sent right to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo via CBS.)