Watch: See Tom Cruise, Katy Perry & More Stars at U.S. 2026 World Cup Opener
Alexi Lalas made a shocking pass at James Corden.
The soccer analyst called the former Late Late Show host a not-suitable-for-work name during a live pregame World Cup broadcast while trying to promote his show After Hours with James Corden.
“What do you guys call him?” Lalas asked co-hosts Rebecca Lowe, Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovi of the comedian on the June 12 Fox broadcast. “A full-kit w—-r, right?”
Though Lalas’ dig seemed unintentional, it certainly threw his fellow co-hosts for a loop, prompting him to clarify, “He’s all dressed up and ready to go?”
Clearly taken aback, Henry chimed in, “Did he just say that?”
Meanwhile, Lowe pointed out that because the vulgar term is more well-known overseas, she hopes Lalas is in the clear with Fox execs.
“Lucky we’re on American television,” she said, noting that the “W-word on British TV” is a big no-no.
Though Corden found himself on the receiving end of Lalas’ joke, he’s also delivered a quip or two that didn’t exactly land with audiences. After all, he ruffled a few feathers after making a NSFW joke about legendary actress Judi Dench and famed immunologist Anthony Fauci.
“Tonight is the one night that Hollywood and science come together,” Corden said while presenting an award at the 2025 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony, per a video obtained by the Daily Mail. “Other than, of course, that one magical evening where Dr. Fauci had a one-night stand with Dame Judi Dench.”
Photo by John Nacion/FOX Sports via Getty Images, Photo by Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images
E! News previously reached out to Corden, Fauci and Dench’s reps for comment but did not hear back.
And the joke wouldn’t mark Corden’s first onstage controversy. Indeed, he came under fire after making an obscene joke about Harvey Weinstein’s sexual abuse controversy.
Days later, he apologized for the wisecrack.
“To be clear, sexual assault is no laughing matter,” Corden wrote on X (formerly Twitter) amid the ongoing backlash. “I was not trying to make light of Harvey’s inexcusable behavior, but to shame him, the abuser, not his victims.”
“I am truly sorry for anyone offended,” he continued, “that was never my intention.”
For all the stars at the 2026 World Cup, read on…
Jared C. Tilton/FIFA via Getty Images
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Kelvin Kuo/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images
Carl Recine/Getty Images
Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images
Hector Vivas/FIFA via Getty Images
Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images
Luke Hales/Getty Images
Ezra Shaw – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images
Courtesy of Michelob ULTRA
Courtesy of Peacock
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App






