Katie Couric terrifies James Corden, falls down the stairs in today’s meanest April Fools’ Day prank

James Corden steps on stage for the first episode of “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” (Monty Brinton/CBS)

Picture this: You’re in the second week of your new job as a late-night talk show host.
Unlike other talk shows, you’ve made the unique choice to have your
guest walk down a flight of stairs for a snazzier entrance.

And then, one of the nation’s most famous broadcast journalists falls down them in quite a nasty spill.

Or…April
Fools’! As seen above, Katie Couric nearly gave “Late Late Show” host
James Corden a heart attack when a stunt double tumbled down the stairs.
Even when it was revealed to be a prank, Corden seemed pretty shaken by
the whole thing. It took the audience awhile to settle down, too.

“I can’t breathe,” a still-freaked out Corden said as Couric settled in on the couch.

“Was that too mean?” Couric asked, laughing.

“That’s
like our worst nightmare, that is so funny, that was an amazing prank,”
Corden gasped. “I was like, ‘Oh, my God. Katie Couric, she’s died.”

 - The Washington Post