Katie Couric Wins April Fools' Day

It's safe to say Katie Couric had one of the best April Fools' Day jokes this April 1. And the best part is, she played it on another television personality, host of the Late Late Show James Corden, which means, of course, that the whole entire prank was captured on video for our amusement. Katie Couric pranked James Corden by "taking a serious fall" on live TV.

Shortly after Corden announced Couric's appearance on the show, the camera focused on a woman who appeared to be the talk show host fixing her shoe at the top of the stairs by the entrance. After the shot of the shoe fixing, she tripped and took an epic fall all the way down the set of stairs. The woman, who Corden thought was Couric, laid down motionless on the ground after the epic fall.

The music in the background stopped and the television audience gasped at the scene as Corden rushed over to her side, clearly panicked about whether she was OK. A couple of seconds later, the real Couric appeared from the top of the stairs saying, "Up here, James!" The woman who braved the fall was actually a stuntwoman who revealed her face and true identity only after Couric made the announcement. Couric then added, "April Fools'!" for good measure.

After she made the prank clear and the stuntwoman showed she was perfectly fine, as well, Corden held his hands to his heart in relief before lifting Couric up and carrying her to her seat. He made no effort to hide how visibly shaken he was afterward, calling the sight "terrifying" to behold. He said, "I can't breathe. That's my worst nightmare. We were talking about those stairs and I thought, 'Oh my God. Katie Couric just died.'"

What a crazy thing to happen to Corden only two weeks into taking on his new job at the Late Late Show! It would have been so scary if it were true, and it looks like the audience members were worried that it might be. Based on the audience's horrified expressions and one woman even stepping up to help, it's probably safe to assume that they were not in on the joke with Couric. Check out the video below and see what you think:

It's safe to say that Couric definitely got Corden good, if not others watching in the studio or from their living rooms at home. Maybe he didn't check his calendar that morning? Or maybe he thought pranks were over, since the holiday was almost done?

Let's hope that James Corden makes sure to check his calendar next April Fools' Day, so he doesn't get tricked on live television again! Who knows? Maybe he'll get her back with a better prank next time!

Images: Getty Images