The British talk show presenter acknowledged he will likely have to confront the allegations on television, but insisted he had done nothing wrong and the tale has been exaggerated.
James Corden asserts that he hasn’t “done anything wrong, on any level” and is “so zen” after a restaurant owner referred to him as the most aggressive customer the establishment has served in the past quarter-century.
The owner of Balthazar in New York, Keith McNally, banned Corden from the restaurant earlier this week, calling him a “tiny cretin” who verbally insulted staff during two trips.
The first time, in June, the British actor and comedian are reported to have been “very unpleasant” and that all of his beverages be paid for, despite the manager’s apologies, after discovering a hair in his food.
On another visit earlier this month, Corden allegedly “began raving like a lunatic at the server” after discovering “a little piece of egg white” in his wife’s omelet made with egg yolks.
Mr. McNally revealed his allegations on Instagram on Monday, but in a later post on the same day he stated that Corden had called him and “sincerely apologized.”
The restaurant owner said that he had lifted Corden’s ban and that he was welcome to return.
The first time Corden addressed the topic was in a New York Times interview scheduled before the allegations appeared.
On the allegation that he could have withdrawn from the interview, he stated: “I have committed no wrongdoing on any level. So why would I ever decide to cancel? I was present. I got it.”
The 44-year-old Corden said he feels “so zen about the whole thing” and referred to it as “so stupid,” but acknowledged he may address it on air.
“I believe I will likely have to discuss it on Monday’s show. Frequently, my attitude is never explained and never complain. But I’ll likely have to discuss it.”
Corden, arguably best known in the United Kingdom for co-writing and acting in the sitcom Gavin and Stacey, is one of the most famous talk show hosts in the United States, having hosted The Late Late Show on CBS since 2015.
Nonetheless, he declared this year that he will stand down in 2023.
