James Corden makes cringey sex joke about Judi Dench, 90, at star-studded gala

New York Post - Apr 7th, 2025

James Corden, the British comedian and former host of 'The Late Late Show,' made a controversial joke involving Dame Judi Dench and Dr. Anthony Fauci during the prestigious Breakthrough Prize gala in Los Angeles. The joke, which implied a romantic encounter between Dench and Fauci, was met with awkward silence from the audience, including shocked reactions from notable attendees like Olivia Wilde. The gala was attended by several high-profile figures, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Drew Barrymore, Lizzo, and tech moguls like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg. Neither Corden nor Dench's representatives have commented on the incident.

This is not the first time Corden has faced backlash for his humor; in 2017, he sparked controversy with jokes about Harvey Weinstein's sexual assault allegations at the amfAR Gala. His attempts at humor were criticized by actress Rose McGowan, one of Weinstein's accusers. In response, Corden issued an apology, explaining that his intention was to shame the abuser rather than the victims. This latest misstep at the Breakthrough Prize gala raises questions about Corden's comedic judgment and the broader implications of making light of sensitive topics in public forums.

Anthony Fauci Harvey Weinstein James Corden Judi Dench Breakthrough Prize Olivia Wilde Controversial Jokes Celebrity Events

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RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a clear and timely account of a controversial incident involving James Corden at a high-profile event. It effectively captures the main points and context, particularly regarding Corden's history of controversial jokes. However, it relies on secondary sources and lacks direct quotes or confirmations from primary sources, which affects its accuracy and source quality. The story focuses on a specific event within the entertainment industry, limiting its broader public interest and impact. Despite these limitations, it is well-written and engages readers interested in celebrity news and media accountability. The article could benefit from more balanced perspectives and greater transparency in sourcing to enhance its overall quality.

Accuracy

The news story is generally accurate in its portrayal of the event where James Corden made an inappropriate joke at a gala. The story's main claims, such as the joke involving Dame Judi Dench and Dr. Anthony Fauci, are consistent with the reported details from the event. However, the article lacks direct quotes or confirmations from primary sources, such as attendees or representatives of Corden and Dench, which would strengthen its accuracy. The mention of the audience's reaction, particularly Olivia Wilde's, relies on a secondary source (the Daily Mail), which can affect the precision and verifiability of these claims.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on James Corden's controversial joke and its immediate reception, providing limited perspectives. It briefly mentions Corden's past controversies, which offers some context but does not delve into broader viewpoints or potential defenses of his comedic style. The story could benefit from including reactions from a wider range of attendees or industry insiders, which would provide a more balanced view of the incident's impact and significance.

Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a straightforward structure that makes it easy to follow. It effectively communicates the main points about the incident and provides sufficient context about Corden's past controversies. The language is neutral, avoiding overly sensationalist or biased terminology, which aids in maintaining clarity and comprehension.

Source quality

The article relies on secondary sources like the Daily Mail for specific details about the audience's reaction, which may not be the most authoritative source. It lacks direct quotes from primary sources, such as attendees or official statements from Corden or Dench's representatives. This reliance on potentially less reliable sources could affect the overall credibility and reliability of the reporting.

Transparency

The article provides limited transparency in terms of its sources and the methodology behind the claims. It does not specify how the information was gathered or corroborated, nor does it disclose any potential conflicts of interest. The lack of clear attribution for some claims, such as the audience's reaction, reduces the transparency of the reporting.