The Late Late Low.
James Corden made a cringey sex joke about Dame Judi Dench that stunned the audience at the star-studded Breakthrough Prize gala in Los Angeles Saturday.
“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,” the British comedian said onstage.
The one-liner was met with awkward silence from the room as the camera cut to Olivia Wilde who appeared shocked, per the Daily Mail.
James Corden made an awkward sex joke about Dame Judi Dench at the Breakthrough Prize ceremony in Los Angeles Saturday. Getty Images for Breakthrough Prize
“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,” the comedian said onstage. Dave Benett/Getty Images
Dr. Fauci was formerly the White House chief medical advisor. Getty Images
Reps for Corden, 46, and Dench, 90, did not immediately respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.
Attendees at the Breakthrough Prize ceremony included Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Drew Barrymore, Lizzo, Christina Aguilera, Paris Hilton, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.
Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, also made an appearance at the event, along with Katy Perry and Gayle King, ahead of Blue Origin’s all-female space flight with the trio on April 14.
The former “Late Late Show” host’s one-liner about Dench and Fauci stunned the audience into near silence.
Corden was photographed mingling with Mark Zuckerberg at the star-studded gala. zuck/Instagram
Meanwhile, Corden previously came under fire for making jokes about Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assault allegations while hosting the amfAR Gala Los Angeles in 2017.
“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,” the former “Late Late Show” host said at the time.
“It has been weird this week though, watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water. Ask any of the women who watched him take a bath,” he continued to nervous groans from the audience.
Other guests at the event included Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos (pictured), Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson and more A-listers. Getty Images
Katy Perry also performed during the gala honoring scientific achievement. Getty Images for Breakthrough Prize
Corden also said, “Harvey Weinstein wanted to come tonight, but sadly he’ll settle for whatever potted plant is closest.”
Rose McGowan, who accused Weinstein of rape, vehemently condemned the comedian for his jokes.
The “Cats” star apologized hours later, tweeting, “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.
“I am truly sorry for anyone offended, that was never my intention.”