410 books
—
624 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “May I Have Your Attention, Please?” as Want to Read:
May I Have Your Attention, Please?
by
The warm, hilarious story of the Gavin and Stacey cocreator and starAs far back as he can remember James Corden has only ever wanted to be in one place: in front of an audience, doing something to make them cry, shout, scream, or giggle uncontrollably—but it wasn't that easy getting there. Growing up, his dad would drive him up and down to London for auditions, sometimes t
...more
Get A Copy
Hardcover, 344 pages
Published
December 1st 2011
by Random House UK
(first published September 29th 2011)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
May I Have Your Attention, Please?,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about May I Have Your Attention, Please?
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of May I Have Your Attention, Please?

I wouldn’t call myself a big Cordon fan, I feel that he can play a certain role well though.
Obviously he came to my attention because of ‘Smithy’ on Gavin and Stacey, but I was also curious to read this having guest starred in Doctor Who.
The main thing that I took from this biography was Cordon’s time touring The History Boy and the subsequent film adaptation.
What an incredible cast of young actors including Dominic Cooper, Russell Tovey and Samuel Barnett.
It made me want to watch the movie!
Cord ...more
Obviously he came to my attention because of ‘Smithy’ on Gavin and Stacey, but I was also curious to read this having guest starred in Doctor Who.
The main thing that I took from this biography was Cordon’s time touring The History Boy and the subsequent film adaptation.
What an incredible cast of young actors including Dominic Cooper, Russell Tovey and Samuel Barnett.
It made me want to watch the movie!
Cord ...more

I found it to be a bit of a snoozefest, I'm sad to say. I'm sure others will enjoy though. Lots of celebrity anecdotes and name dropping.
I'm glad Cordon changed himself in recent years but he was rather a dick for most of his life. Didn't make me warm to him really.
I listened via audible and even his voice and his inflection at the end of sentences started to grate on me. ...more
I'm glad Cordon changed himself in recent years but he was rather a dick for most of his life. Didn't make me warm to him really.
I listened via audible and even his voice and his inflection at the end of sentences started to grate on me. ...more

Yes, James, you've got our attention. You've released your autobiography and, as a huge 'Gavin and Stacey' fan, I was so excited to read it. Not only is he the man responsible for one of the - if not the - biggest British comedies in the last decade, he's also well-known for his roles in ITV's 'Fat Friends' and both the stage and movie productions of Alan Bennett's 'The History Boys'.
Basically, this book is a three-hundred and-odd page apology to everyone James Corden has ever pissed off. And, l ...more
Basically, this book is a three-hundred and-odd page apology to everyone James Corden has ever pissed off. And, l ...more

A fun listen. Made me laugh out loud a few times... Although it's a bit odd bc I didn't even know who James Corden was till carpool karaoke, but this book is 5 years old, so there's no mention of the Late Late Show or any of that.
But it was fun to hear his early career stories, (although I had to do a lot of googling to see who these British actors and directors are), even if I did get some weird looks for laughing out loud while listening in Costco. ;) ...more
But it was fun to hear his early career stories, (although I had to do a lot of googling to see who these British actors and directors are), even if I did get some weird looks for laughing out loud while listening in Costco. ;) ...more

I generally love James Corden and as such I had high hopes for this autobiography. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed.
I selected this one because I was coming off of some heavier reads and wanted something a bit lighter and something funny. While this was certainly jovial at times, I can't say that I ever really truly laughed; the most I got was a grin at a piece of wry British humor (my favorite kind normally.)
It was interesting to hear Mr. Corden's background - I actually didn't kn ...more
I selected this one because I was coming off of some heavier reads and wanted something a bit lighter and something funny. While this was certainly jovial at times, I can't say that I ever really truly laughed; the most I got was a grin at a piece of wry British humor (my favorite kind normally.)
It was interesting to hear Mr. Corden's background - I actually didn't kn ...more

I've just finished this book and I have to say, I really quite enjoyed it. It was an easy read that didn't take particularly long, but I didn't expect any different to be honest, it's an autobiography not a hard hitting novel. I found it refreshing to read just how down to earth he is, unlike some of the people on here, I certainly didn't interpet it as a book full of apologies at all. To me, it highlighted the extent of how hard he has worked to get to where he is today. I think it's very easy
...more

Despite his enormous successes in Britain, James Corden was virtually unknown in this country when he was tapped to replace Craig Ferguson as host of CBS's Late Late Show. I only knew him from his taped performance in NTL's One Man Two Guvnors. He fast became a favorite of ours as a late night host, and the unpredictable quality of his award-winning show and its originality continues. On picking up this autobiography, I was dismayed to find it was written on the eve of these events, but ended be
...more

A fun read for Corden fans. I am one.

Highly recommended listening!
I loved every minute of this audiobook. James Corden narrates which makes it feel like he is telling you the story on a one-to-one basis which is amazing!!
Before listening I had only seen James on his game show on Sky TV but since then I have watched every episode of Gavin & Stacey and rate him even higher now.
If you like James, you will love listening to this wonderful story of his life up until 2010.... there is so much more to know now so hopefully there will be ...more
I loved every minute of this audiobook. James Corden narrates which makes it feel like he is telling you the story on a one-to-one basis which is amazing!!
Before listening I had only seen James on his game show on Sky TV but since then I have watched every episode of Gavin & Stacey and rate him even higher now.
If you like James, you will love listening to this wonderful story of his life up until 2010.... there is so much more to know now so hopefully there will be ...more

I really enjoyed James' Book. I liked how human he seemed. I also like how he left all the boring details out that so many other celebs have tried to bore me with. He chose a couple of stories from each period of his life and didn't whittle on for pages about them. Straight and to the point. He sounds as if he's a very humble man, who has acknowledged that he was, indeed, a dick for a while. I would definitely recommend this book. Especially for all you that think James is only famous for being
...more

This book has been on my radar for a while but I finally listened to it this week and I'm a little disappointed to be honest. To be fair, this has very little to do with the book itself, more the fact it was published in 2011. I'm glad James talked so much about Gavin and Stacey and his career to that point, especially knowing how his career is going now with the Late Late Show.
The book is written in a very honest way, not always painting Corden in the best light or as the nicest person. Howeve ...more
The book is written in a very honest way, not always painting Corden in the best light or as the nicest person. Howeve ...more

I really enjoyed reading this book! I started as a big fan of JC, at least what I'd seen him in, but quickly realised he has done much much more than I was aware of. The stuff about Take That make me smile out loud (if that is possible!) and the chapters about Gavin and Stacey made me go and buy the box set, which I can't wait to watch again from start to finish. Disappointed there wasn't more about the foundations and development of ALOTO, which is probably my favourite programme in TV at the m
...more

Since I discoverd my love for James Corden last year with the beginning of the Late Late show, I have pretty much tried to watch everything that he is done television-wise (surprisingly with the exception of Gavin and Stacey - but I will get to that soon).
I love this book because it was absolutely James, adorable, hysterical, ridiculous and at times a little teary eyed!
If you love him, you will love this.
I love this book because it was absolutely James, adorable, hysterical, ridiculous and at times a little teary eyed!
If you love him, you will love this.

I have just finished this book and it was really well written. James made me laugh out loud at times, and I felt quite sorry for him at other times. It just goes to show you that it can be lonely at the top, and that family and friends are so important. I look forward to following his story now that he has a new chapter in his life.
PS:- I can't believe he kept "Kimberley" in his sons name!! ...more
PS:- I can't believe he kept "Kimberley" in his sons name!! ...more

I really liked how he revealed his youthful blunders... They were pretty condemning but his honesty was refreshing. I am now addicted to "Gavin and Stacey" - the show he and Ruth wrote and starred in... HILARIOUSLY FUNNY!!!
Have your computer handy while reading so you can check out the many references he makes to videos, poems, people... All worth learning about.
Loved the book! ...more
Have your computer handy while reading so you can check out the many references he makes to videos, poems, people... All worth learning about.
Loved the book! ...more

i thrived on hearing about james' friendship with dominic cooper, the most ridiculous brit i have ever come across. if i ever meet either of them, i'm gonna have to ask about the origin of dom's nickname and then consequently die immediately afterward so i can take the secret to my grave
...more

Loved this book. James cries a lot and is not afraid to let his readers know how much! It's good to know that a leading male figure has feelings.
...more

Entertaining listen. I'd love to hear an update since his career has exploded since this book was written.
...more

Fab
Really enjoyed this book couldn't put it down. Really exceeded my expectations of James writing. I hope you enjoy as I did ...more
Really enjoyed this book couldn't put it down. Really exceeded my expectations of James writing. I hope you enjoy as I did ...more

Note to self - don't bother reading autobiographies by comedians, I have yet to read one that I've really enjoyed. I also don't believe that at the age of 32 you qualify to be writing an autobiography, too young. Anyway I didn't laugh once, was I wrong to expect to?
...more

I pushed through this book because I am a really big fan of James Corden but honestly it was a struggle. Written before the Late Late show's success it talks about his childhood and how he was a horrible child. Honestly that was funny to read at first but as soon as it was mentioned over and over again I found myself bored.
It was interesting to hear about his early acting jobs and how he managed to get Gavin and Stacey off the ground, as well as living alone and learning what it means to grow up ...more
It was interesting to hear about his early acting jobs and how he managed to get Gavin and Stacey off the ground, as well as living alone and learning what it means to grow up ...more

A quick easy read. Interesting to read about the trials of making it as an actor, and as a massive Gavin & Stacey fan, it was good to read about how it came about, and was written. However, I didn't like the tone of the book so much, everyone mentioned was one of his biggest idols, each film in his top 10, it was a little tedious, it sat between needy and arrogant, which was a little weird. The book felt as though it was rushed, and judging by how he mentions his son as a day old at the beginnin
...more

They say to never meet your idols because you'll be disappointed and although James is not one of my idols, I did like him and thought he was refreshingly different in the celeb world. So I was disappointed to find that he was arrogant and not just in the period he admits to being so. I enjoyed the school stuff, although I can appreciate he must have been a nightmare to try and teach, but the celeb stuff left me cold. I just felt like it was a little bit whiny. Yes he's had struggles and as an o
...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Related Articles
Discover lots of new and upcoming nonfiction reads this spring
with our author interviews, articles, and book lists!
Interviews with...
0 likes · 0 comments
1 trivia question
More quizzes & trivia...
“The difference between doing something and not doing something is doing something.”
—
12 likes
“It's strange how things seem to come full circle. You know what I mean? I'm sure you do. The way your life seems to drift along with no set path, then something good happens to you and you can trace the line that brought you there back to a specific disappointment or rejection you suffered in the past. It's nice that things can level out that way.”
—
3 likes
More quotes…