For those who may not be familiar, Blockbuster is a workplace comedy set in the last Blockbuster store on Earth. Penn plays the character of Eliza, who is at a crossroads in her life and finds herself working at the Blockbuster store. The show explores the dynamics of a small business trying to survive in the modern world, as well as the development of dysfunctional work families.
During the interview, Corden and Penn reminisced about their experiences going to Blockbuster as teenagers. They both recalled the excitement of heading to the store on a Friday night, picking out movies for the weekend, and the anticipation of finding the movie they had been dying to watch. Penn also mentioned the thrill of checking the return box and discovering that the movie you wanted was available. It’s a sentiment many of us can relate to, and it’s a shame that the younger generation may never experience that same excitement.
Corden then shared a humorous anecdote about his own Blockbuster experience. When he was 15 years old, there was a burst pipe at his school, so classes were canceled for the day. Corden decided to take advantage of the unexpected day off and headed to Blockbuster, dressed in a suit and carrying a toy flip mobile phone. He rented an adult film titled “Scarlet Lace” using his dad’s Blockbuster card. However, Corden forgot all about the rental and ended up with a hefty bill of £209 two months later. Luckily, Corden’s dad managed to sort out the situation and avoid any further payments.
The conversation then took an exciting turn when Corden mentioned that Variety magazine had reported that Penn was considered to potentially take over from Trevor Noah on The Daily Show. Corden expressed his belief that Penn would be a brilliant host for the show, given his experience as a White House staffer and his exceptional comedic skills. Penn humbly acknowledged the honor of being mentioned in such an article and expressed his admiration for Jon Stewart and Trevor Noah.
As the interview concluded, Corden jokingly offered himself as a referral for Penn’s application to Comedy Central, remarking that he had already called the Obamas. Penn expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and stated that he grew up watching The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and had immense respect for Trevor Noah. While Penn didn’t explicitly confirm if he would consider hosting The Daily Show, he left the door open to the possibility, emphasizing the show’s importance and his appreciation for it.
Overall, the interview with Kal Penn on The Late Late Show with James Corden was a delightful glimpse into his new show, Blockbuster, and the nostalgia surrounding the era of physical movie rentals. Additionally, the discussion about the potential for Penn to host The Daily Show showcased his talent and the impact he has made in the entertainment industry. We can only hope that Penn’s future projects continue to entertain and inspire us.
