LOS ANGELES — James Corden began his foray as the “Late Late Show” host with a schoolboy’s giggle and a bid to endear himself to viewers as a nice English bloke looking for a little American TV love.

Guests Tom Hanks and Mila Kunis joined the cause Monday, with videotaped cameos from celebrities including Meryl Streep, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jay Leno.

“I know what you’re thinking: ‘Oh, look, Andy Richter’s got his own show,”’ Corden said as he strode onto the stage.

The reference to Conan O’Brien’s sidekick wasn’t far afield: Corden and Richter both are round-faced, egg-shaped and genial. But this time, the apparent second banana is the star and part of CBS’ new late-night guard that will include Stephen Colbert as successor to David Letterman.

The British-born Corden has the credentials for top billing, with TV sitcom hits in his native country, a Tony Award for “One Man, Two Guvnors” on Broadway and a big-screen role in “Into the Woods.”

But Corden downplayed his career and played up his family, introducing himself as married and the father of a 4-year-old son and infant daughter.

“I promise you we’re going to have fun on this show, and I promise you we’re going to do everything we can to put a smile on your face before, or let’s be honest, more likely whilst you fall asleep,” Corden pledged.

His parents, visiting Los Angeles from the U.K. for the first time, were in the audience and came in for gentle ribbing.

“They’re eating kale every day. My mom’s getting a boob job next week,” he said.