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James Corden, Ariana Grande ‘Hairspray’ spoof hailing lockdown end called cringe

Corden also collaborated with Grammy Award-winner and Broadway star Marissa Janet Winokur in the mini-musical for the Tuesday, June 15, episode of his show

James Corden faced backlash after teaming up with Ariana Grande for a Hairspray-inspired musical skit to celebrate the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions across the country. The British comedian also collaborated with Grammy Award-winner and Broadway star Marissa Janet Winokur in the mini-musical on Tuesday, June 15, episode of 'The Late Late Show'. Some viewers, however, described the skit as "cringe" and "unwatchable."

Corden and company sang 'No Lockdowns Anymore' set to the tune of 'Hairspray' hit 'Good Morning Baltimore'. The video began with a jubilant Corden dancing in the streets of New York in his bathrobe. “Woke up today, feeling okay, this is new,” Corden sang. “Got the vaccine and it’s been two weeks. There’s life in the streets! Hot people at brunch, and I’ve got a hunch, mimosas are gonna be bottomless.”

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The late show host was seen turning off Zoom and shaving his matted beard after ages. The celebratory video also included a shout-out to immunologist Anthony Fauci, something that did not sit well with some observers.

Meanwhile, songstress Grande was seen getting a haircut and going to the gym. “Look at my hair, I’m no longer scared to have it cut," she crooned. “Say hi on the street, a kiss on the cheek, it’s been so long since I put on my shoes." At one point, Winokur made a surprise appearance and did a little dance with Grande. “So let’s hit the club or get drunk and get matching tattoos,” they sing.

A section of viewers, however, did not receive the skit positively, with many taking to social media to comment on how “unwatchable” it was. "James Corden is that man who will do anything so long as his egocentric mug is on a screen. He makes everything unwatchable. His morals match his talent. Which is little," journalist Sonia Poulton tweeted.

"James Corden. Please, this MUST be a spoof? Singing, promoting Vaccines, and Anthony FAUCI? 59 secs of pure insanity!" one Twitter user chimed in. "Just when you thought you couldn’t dislike James Corden anymore. It’s cringe all the way through but just wait until the end. No," another added.

"I can’t even enjoy hairspray anymore we need to abolish James Corden," a third wrote. "Rich people will never realize that the pandemic is more than just "oh my god I'm so bored can't wait to get out of my house!". can't understand what's there to celebrate when millions of people died and are still dying but who cares we are rich and privileged," another wrote.

New York and California became the latest states to lift most COVID-19 restrictions on Tuesday as the country appears to be on the road to recovery from one of the deadliest pandemics in recent history. The country's seven-day average has reduced to 14,000 new cases and less than 400 daily deaths. Nearly 44% of the US population has been fully inoculated, and more than 53% has received at least one vaccine dose, per data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.