Importance Score: 30 / 100 🔵
Comedian James Corden’s Joke About Judi Dench Bombs at Breakthrough Prize Ceremony
Actor and comedian James Corden sparked an awkward moment at the Breakthrough Prize gala in Los Angeles with a risqué joke directed at Dame Judi Dench. The quip, delivered during the prestigious science and entertainment event, immediately drew silence and visible discomfort from the celebrity-filled audience, highlighting the challenges of humor in high-profile settings. This incident adds to Corden’s history of controversial jokes at public events, raising questions about comedic boundaries in the current cultural climate.
Awkward Silence Follows Corden’s Onstage Remark
During his appearance at the Breakthrough Prize ceremony on Saturday, the former host of “The Late Late Show” made a sexually suggestive remark about Dame Judi Dench. “Tonight is the one night that Hollywood and science come together, other than of course that one magical evening where Dr. Anthony Fauci had a one-night stand with Dame Judi Dench,” Corden stated to the room.
Eyewitness accounts and camera footage captured the immediate reaction to the joke, with actress Olivia Wilde among those visibly stunned by the comment. The room reportedly fell into an uncomfortable silence following the punchline, as the audience processed the unexpected and seemingly inappropriate nature of the joke.
Attendees and Star-Studded Guest List at Breakthrough Prize
The Breakthrough Prize, known for celebrating achievements in fundamental physics, life sciences, and mathematics, attracts a high-profile guest list from both the scientific and entertainment industries. This year’s attendees included:
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- Kate Hudson
- Drew Barrymore
- Lizzo
- Christina Aguilera
- Paris Hilton
- Bill Gates
- Mark Zuckerberg
- Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez
- Katy Perry
- Gayle King
The presence of such notable figures amplified the scrutiny on Corden’s joke and the subsequent reaction within the room.
Past Controversies: Weinstein Jokes Draw Fire
This is not the first time Corden’s humor has landed him in hot water. In 2017, while hosting the amfAR Gala Los Angeles, he faced significant backlash for making light of the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault allegations.
At that event, Corden joked, “It’s a beautiful night here in LA. So beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage.” He further added, “It has been weird this week though, watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water. Ask any of the women who watched him take a bath,” which was met with uneasy reactions from the audience.
Apology and Fallout from Weinstein Jokes
Rose McGowan, a vocal accuser of Weinstein, publicly condemned Corden’s jokes at the time. Following the widespread criticism, Corden issued an apology, stating on Twitter: “sexual assault is no laughing matter. I was not trying to make light of Harvey’s inexcusable behavior, but to shame him, the abuser, not the victims.”
He continued, “I am truly sorry for anyone offended, that was never my intention.”
Requests for Comment and Context
Representatives for both James Corden and Dame Judi Dench have been contacted for comments regarding the recent joke at the Breakthrough Prize ceremony, but as of yet, no statements have been released. The incident has once again ignited discussions around the appropriateness of certain types of humor in public forums and the responsibilities of comedians when addressing sensitive topics or individuals.