Larry King Announces He is Ending His Prime-Time CNN Show - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 06-29-2010, 07:28 PM

Link

Larry King, whose nightly CNN talk show was long a required stomping ground for striving politicians and contrite celebrities, announced Tuesday that he is going to step down from the program in the fall.

The 76-year-old will not be leaving CNN altogether: He signed a new contract to host quarterly specials on the cable news channel.

But his departure from prime time marks a major turning point for CNN, which has built its schedule around "Larry King Live" for 25 of the network’s 30 years on the air. This year, however, the program has seen a sharp fall-off in audience. An average of 677,000 viewers tuned in during the second quarter of 2010, down 37% from the same period last year, according to Nielsen.

In a nod to how much the medium has changed since King began broadcasting in 1957, he broke the news himself on Twitter, writing: “Announcing tonight: I’m ending my nightly show this fall but continuing at CNN.

King has long called himself an interviewer, not a journalist, logging more than 40,000 sit-downs with newsmakers since he began broadcasting in 1957, according to CNN.

It remains unclear who will replace him. CNN has not confirmed recent reports that it is in talks with Piers Morgan, a British journalist who judges NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” CBS anchor Katie Couric’s name has been frequently floated as a possible successor, and King himself has volunteered that he thinks “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest would be a worthy contender.

The end of King’s nightly show comes as CNN is working to refashion its low-rated prime-time schedule. Last week, the network announced a new roundtable show hosted by former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer and conservative columnist Kathleen Parker will debut in the 8 p.m. ET time slot this fall, replacing the newscast anchored Campbell Brown. The hiring of Spitzer, who resigned from office after revelations that he solicited prostitutes, disappointed many CNN employees and drew external criticism that the network was abandoning its news mission.

Marvo301 · 06-29-2010, 07:44 PM

I guess he's finally run out of suspenders!!

Retro4Life · 06-29-2010, 08:01 PM

Haven't watched Larry in years, but there was a time when he was the best thing going in TV interviews.

I wish him well; from what I read in the news, his life is going to be interesting for the near future at least.

Retro4Life · 06-29-2010, 08:05 PM

Incidentally, none of the people listed as possible replacements even remotely perk my interest.

I'd nominate Bob Costas, who's "Later" show years ago is still one of the best examples of television interviewing ever.

catlover79 · 06-29-2010, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I guess he's finally run out of suspenders!!

catlover79 · 06-29-2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Incidentally, none of the people listed as possible replacements even remotely perk my interest.

I'd nominate Bob Costas, who's "Later" show years ago is still one of the best examples of television interviewing ever.

Yeah, Bob Costas would be a good choice - but isn't he still under contract at NBC?

Retro4Life · 06-29-2010, 11:09 PM

^ He may be. How about Couric? Is she able to jump ship already?

And...Ryan Seacrest interviewing heads of state? Give me a break!

catlover79 · 06-29-2010, 11:12 PM

Katie Couric turned the offer down (I heard that on the news). I agree about Ryan Seacrest - ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!

Mr. Television · 06-29-2010, 11:29 PM

I first started listening to Larry King on his overnight radio show back in the early 80's. I used to go to sleep listening to him. He really started talk radio. I haven't watched his show much lately...I only usually watched it if someone good was on. Anyhow CNN is going to have a hard time replacing him no matter how the ratings have been lately.

MickeyMac · 06-30-2010, 06:16 PM

Never been a fan of Larry King. He dosent do his homework. I remember when he had Brian Wilson on his show. It was so obvious King didnt know hardly anything about him, or anything about the Beach Boys. Why did he bother having someone on his show he knew nothing about, and why didnt he take the time to find out about Brian Wilson.

Rezny@gmail.com · 06-30-2010, 06:57 PM

And I also remember when Dick Clark(before his stroke)was on the show,and Dick Clark took him down a peg.Dick Clark was NEVER a guest again on King's show.Yay Dick!And he ALSO(Larry King)DIDN'T do his homework when he had Andy Griffith,the late Don Knotts,Ron Howard and Jim Nabors on the show.And he kind of irked Wayne Newton,too,who called him "MISTER King",and not Larry..By the way,who books the guests for his show?CNN?or Larry King himself?Face it,Mr.King.Your time has passed.

lawrencederk · 07-01-2010, 10:34 PM

Too bad Larry King is leaving. He was the only goo dthing about CNN in my opinion. All else is hype or weather forecasts.

winger321 · 07-28-2010, 04:28 AM

Oh yes its enough Already, 25 years a long period, Its a record of live morning show, Its better that this show closed.

06-29-2010, 07:28 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,370	Larry King Announces He is Ending His Prime-Time CNN Show Link Larry King, whose nightly CNN talk show was long a required stomping ground for striving politicians and contrite celebrities, announced Tuesday that he is going to step down from the program in the fall. The 76-year-old will not be leaving CNN altogether: He signed a new contract to host quarterly specials on the cable news channel. But his departure from prime time marks a major turning point for CNN, which has built its schedule around "Larry King Live" for 25 of the network’s 30 years on the air. This year, however, the program has seen a sharp fall-off in audience. An average of 677,000 viewers tuned in during the second quarter of 2010, down 37% from the same period last year, according to Nielsen. In a nod to how much the medium has changed since King began broadcasting in 1957, he broke the news himself on Twitter, writing: “Announcing tonight: I’m ending my nightly show this fall but continuing at CNN. King has long called himself an interviewer, not a journalist, logging more than 40,000 sit-downs with newsmakers since he began broadcasting in 1957, according to CNN. It remains unclear who will replace him. CNN has not confirmed recent reports that it is in talks with Piers Morgan, a British journalist who judges NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” CBS anchor Katie Couric’s name has been frequently floated as a possible successor, and King himself has volunteered that he thinks “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest would be a worthy contender. The end of King’s nightly show comes as CNN is working to refashion its low-rated prime-time schedule. Last week, the network announced a new roundtable show hosted by former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer and conservative columnist Kathleen Parker will debut in the 8 p.m. ET time slot this fall, replacing the newscast anchored Campbell Brown. The hiring of Spitzer, who resigned from office after revelations that he solicited prostitutes, disappointed many CNN employees and drew external criticism that the network was abandoning its news mission.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

06-29-2010, 07:44 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	I guess he's finally run out of suspenders!!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

06-29-2010, 08:01 PM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Haven't watched Larry in years, but there was a time when he was the best thing going in TV interviews. I wish him well; from what I read in the news, his life is going to be interesting for the near future at least.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

06-29-2010, 11:29 PM	#9
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I first started listening to Larry King on his overnight radio show back in the early 80's. I used to go to sleep listening to him. He really started talk radio. I haven't watched his show much lately...I only usually watched it if someone good was on. Anyhow CNN is going to have a hard time replacing him no matter how the ratings have been lately.
	__________________ Sonny

06-29-2010, 08:05 PM	#4
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Incidentally, none of the people listed as possible replacements even remotely perk my interest. I'd nominate Bob Costas, who's "Later" show years ago is still one of the best examples of television interviewing ever.

06-29-2010, 11:09 PM	#7
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	^ He may be. How about Couric? Is she able to jump ship already? And...Ryan Seacrest interviewing heads of state? Give me a break!

06-29-2010, 11:12 PM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Katie Couric turned the offer down (I heard that on the news). I agree about Ryan Seacrest - ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!

06-30-2010, 06:16 PM	#10
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	Never been a fan of Larry King. He dosent do his homework. I remember when he had Brian Wilson on his show. It was so obvious King didnt know hardly anything about him, or anything about the Beach Boys. Why did he bother having someone on his show he knew nothing about, and why didnt he take the time to find out about Brian Wilson.

06-30-2010, 06:57 PM	#11
Rezny@gmail.com Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 20, 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,675	And I also remember when Dick Clark(before his stroke)was on the show,and Dick Clark took him down a peg.Dick Clark was NEVER a guest again on King's show.Yay Dick!And he ALSO(Larry King)DIDN'T do his homework when he had Andy Griffith,the late Don Knotts,Ron Howard and Jim Nabors on the show.And he kind of irked Wayne Newton,too,who called him "MISTER King",and not Larry..By the way,who books the guests for his show?CNN?or Larry King himself?Face it,Mr.King.Your time has passed.

07-01-2010, 10:34 PM	#12
lawrencederk Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Jul 01, 2010 Location: toronto, canada Posts: 3	Too bad Larry King is leaving. He was the only goo dthing about CNN in my opinion. All else is hype or weather forecasts.

07-28-2010, 04:28 AM	#13
winger321 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 27, 2010 Posts: 9	Oh yes its enough Already, 25 years a long period, Its a record of live morning show, Its better that this show closed.