It’s been in the works for the entire summer, but now it’s been inked. Former tabloid editor and current reality show judge Piers Morgan has been announced as CNN’s replacement for Larry King, with the network saying he’ll take over the 9 p.m. CST slot in January. He’s also slated to pen a regular column for CNN.com.
It took a few mountains to climb for Morgan to finalize the deal, including negotiations with NBC to allow him to appear on CNN (NBC finally revised their contract with him, with Morgan staying on as a judge for “America’s Got Talent” through 2012.) There were also some rumored problems with him getting an upgrade on his work visa, which is at least small consolation for those of us who don’t have network presenting jobs but are stuck on our side of the pond because of immigration red tape.
The New York Times said that Morgan is expected to maintain some sort of connection with ITV, probably continuing his celebrity interview specials “Life Stories.” However, those of us who liked seeing him and Simon Cowell compare the size of their egos on the “Britain’s Got Talent” judging panel are out of luck. Which may work out even better for him, with Simon making noises this week that both BGT and “The X Factor” may be off ITV next year whilst he works on the American version of XF. CNN also says that he will continue writing his columns for the Daily Mail, which will at least possibly afford them some goodwill from the Murdoch clan at the New York Post.
I said before that I think Morgan will do a fine job with CNN, and I stand by that. Yes, he is very infuriating and can’t live without saying nasty stuff about anyone who dares get on his bad side. And certainly his sketchy past with the Daily Mirror and subsequent firing there will raise immediate questions about his journalistic ethics.
However, although it makes me as a journalist shudder to make this statement, CNN is not looking for a journalist here. They need a personality and they need someone who can make headlines. Morgan’s done that for years in the UK. If he can get the bookings, the headlines will write themselves.
About Dana Franks
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Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dreams of traveling to the UK whenever we want a reality.
I think he’ll do great on CNN. Not sure if I’ll actually watch it though. I generally avoid this type of TV (i.e. the American kind).
CNN’s probably half of how I ended up in broadcast journalism. My mama sneakily left CNN on when most kids would be watching cartoons and I used to watch so much that I slept with it on just in case there was breaking news overnight.
Unfortunately, since the rise of non-breaking “breaking news” and particularly since the last election season, I can’t stomach watching very much national TV news anymore unless it’s mocked and satirized. Which is probably why I love panel shows, “Newswipe” and “The Bubble” so much, and why I’m so freaking excited about the C4 political comedy show coming next year.