James Corden apologized on Mondya's The Late Late Show after an incident that left him banned from a New York City restaurant for "abusive behavior."
Last week, prominent restaurateur Keith McNally said he "86'd" Corden from his restaurant, Balthazar.
In an Instagram post, McNally called the British actor "a gifted comedian, but a tiny Cretin of a man. And the most abusive customer to my Balthazar servers since the restaurant opened 25 years ago."
The late-night host spent a good five minutes of his monologue expressing his regrets and explaining what happened.
You can watch his monologue, here.
James Corden Discusses His Restaurant Episodeyoutu.be
Cordon previously downplayed his behavior talking with the New York Times, calling the incident "so silly" and that “I haven’t done anything wrong, on any level."
McNally wrote on Instagram:
"I don't often 86 a customer, to today I 86'd Corden."
He then went over the details of how things unfolded when the comedian came in to dine at Balthazar.
"Mr. Corden's wife ordered an egg yolk omelette with gruyere cheese and salad."
"A few minutes after they received the food, James called their server, M. K. and told her there was a little bit of egg white mixed with the egg yolk."
"M. K. informed the floor manager, G. The kitchen remade the dish but unfortunately sent it with home fries instead of salad."
That was when Corden allegedly started "yelling like crazy to the server," saying things like, "You can't do your job! You can't do your job! Maybe I should go into the kitchen and cook the omelette myself!"
Although Corden was "pleasant" with the manager, who smoothed things over with complimentary glasses of champagne, Corden remained "nasty to the server."
"M.K. was very shaken, but professional that she is, continued to finish her shift,'" wrote McNally.
The consequential backlash online convinced Corden to address the incident on his show.
“Whenever these sorts of moments come my way, I'd like to keep a British attitude about it," he said of the online reaction to the controversy.
"Keep calm and carry on, things are going to get written about me. Never complain, never explain is very much my motto."
"But as my dad pointed out to me on Saturday, you did complain, so you might need to explain."
And explain, he did, as his father–who was sitting in the audience looked on, approvingly.
Corden said he went to Balthazar, his "absolute favorite restaurant," in New York City two weeks ago with some friends for breakfast.
After being seated, Corden explained that his wife had informed the restaurant staff about her food allergy, but when everyone's food came, she was given the very food she was allergic to.
She didn't have a bite, it was sent back, it was "all was good," said Corden.
Until it wasn't.
Corden continued telling the audience:
"As her meal came wrong to the table the third time, in the heat of the moment I made a sarcastic rude comment about cooking it myself."
"It is a comment I deeply regret."
He added that he understood the "difficulty of being a server" having been one himself for years.
He emphasized that he had respect for anyone who works in the service industry.
Corden maintained that he didn't do anything wrong since he didn't cause a scene by shouting or getting up out of his seat to make a fuss, but he did acknowledge his rude comment was unnecessary.
Social media users weighed in with their thoughts on his on-air statement.
"It was ungracious to the server," Corden admitted.
"I love that restaurant. I love the staff there."
"I hope I’m allowed in again one day so when I’m back in New York I can go there and apologize in person—which is something I will absolutely do.”
It appears the doors of Balthazar will be open to Corden once again in the near future.
McNally later updated his Instagram followers, saying Corden called him personally and “apologized profusely.”
“Having f'ked up myself more than most people, I strongly believe in second chances," wrote the restaurateur.
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U.S. Mint
