With James Corden on Stage, Wal-Mart Event Part Business, Part Roast

James Corden took some good-natured jabs at Wal-Mart executives during Friday's shareholders meeting.

Friday’s Wal-Mart shareholders meeting at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville at times felt more like a roast thanks to “The Late Late Show” host James Corden.

Corden, a comedian and Tony Award-winner who’s hosted the CBS show since March 2015, served as host of the event. The meeting boasted plenty of other star power, with performances from singers Katy Perry, Andy Grammer, Maxwell and Justin Smith.

Corden, though, made sure the crowd of an estimated 14,000 had plenty of fun at the expense of several Wal-Mart executives, specifically Chairman Greg Penner and CEO Doug McMillon. 

Video: Watch the 2016 shareholders meeting here.

Corden continually teased Penner — as the son-in-law of former Chairman Rob Walton — about being elected chairman, and McMillon heard plenty about his youthful appearance. 

“You don’t know whether to shake his hand or lick his face,” Corden said of McMillon. “My son’s 5 and he looks older than Doug McMillon.”

Later when introducing Penner, Corden mentioned Penner’s marriage to Carrie Walton and then assured the audience that Penner had earned his high position at Wal-Mart.

“He worked tirelessly at marrying Rob Walton’s daughter,” Corden joked. “That’s a man who doesn’t have to wear a ‘Happy To Help’ badge.”

Later, after an employee was given a promotion to assistant manager, Corden called the man out and asked if he wanted to be chairman of the board. When the man said he would, Corden took him and sat him down next to Carrie Walton Penner.

“Get to know Greg’s wife,” Corden said.

The crowd howled and both Penners took the jest with good humor. Corden acknowledged how good a sport Penner had been during his closing remarks.

Penner and McMillon weren’t the only targets. When Corden spoke of David Cheesewright, the CEO of Wal-Mart’s International division, he commented that “Cheesewright” didn’t seem like a real name but one a celebrity might use when checking into a hotel.

Perhaps the funniest moment of the event for everyone, except for CFO Brett Biggs, came when Corden gave Biggs a hug after introducing him. Only Corden refused to let go as Biggs began to squirm and the crowd erupted in more laughter.

When Biggs said he only had nine minutes for his speech, Corden said they only needed five minutes.

“It’s not too long, don’t fight it; let’s get out of here and open Brett & James’ Café,” Corden quipped. “Doug’s not concerned; he’s jealous.”

Biggs regained his composure the best he could after Corden kissed him on the cheek by saying, “We planned a lot of things this morning. That was not one of them.”

Later, during a Q&A, Biggs joked he would answer no questions about the hug and said he would never be surprised by anything again. McMillon joked that Biggs would hear about that moment for the rest of his career.

When Corden introduced Chief Sustainability Officer Kathleen McLaughlin, the associates who work in that division erupted in cheers from the upper level of the arena. Corden immediately zeroed in on that fact.

“You’re so sustainable, they put you in the shit seats,” Corden said, unofficially becoming the first host to utter a curse word. The crowd didn’t seem to mind or notice.