14 DAY TRIAL // Over the weekend, word got out on the net that CNN was looking to replace legendary talk show host Larry King with someone younger and more interesting, someone who could boost ratings for the show. That person was Piers Morgan, speculation had it, who had already been approached with an offer. Not quite so, a rep for CNN tells AceShowbiz.
As we also informed you at the time, buzz online claimed that Morgan, who’s proven to be quite a hit with audiences home in the UK, was deemed the perfect replacement for King. He’s fun, smart and very relatable, which would literally make of him the perfect guy to fill in for Larry King, who can no longer command the attention of the masses as he once could. As it turns out, none of that was true.
“Not surprisingly, there is no shortage of people who would love to succeed Larry King if and when he moves on, but rumors that we are close to signing a deal for a Larry King replacement are untrue. We are currently looking at replacing our 8pm program and that is our priority. Larry is a beloved member of the team, and he will continue to be part of the CNN family into the future,” a spokesperson for the network says, rubbishing reports that Piers Morgan was considered for the job.
Still, the statement did not manage to successfully prevent all rumors from spreading: since there were many details on the agreement that went to press, some continue to believe there was a degree of truth to them. For instance, it was said that Morgan would quit his position as judge on Britain’s Got Talent in order to be able to take up the CNN job – but would remain a judge on America’s Got Talent. In return, he’d get to sign a contract for £5 million for the new gig.
“CNN bosses have been desperately searching for somebody to revamp the show. Larry’s ratings are massively down year on year – and Piers is just the chap. Piers is utterly thrilled by the prospect of the deal and knows that taking over the Larry King show means that something will have to give. America’s Got Talent finishes in mid-September, so it seems Larry will be moved to a weekend show then and be ousted from his nightly prime-time slot. Piers has discussed it all with Simon Cowell, who gave him his big break on America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent, and has his blessing,” a source with the network said over the weekend.