Larry King interviewing Russian leader Vladimir Putin - Presidential Press and Information Office

Video Beat Part 2 - THE REPLACEMENTS 4 LARRY KING

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

After 25 years on CNN Larry King host and creator of the Larry King show is going to be shown the door (on the way out). The reasons given for his upcoming dismissal was low ratings. If there is a fault in the declining rating it's not King's. He relies on his producers to line up guests. Some weakness that we have noticed in recent years is that the show is too political, sensationalized and pro Israeli. The topics and guests are not appealing enough for high ratings - Recommended TV Listings

Saturday September 4, 2010

THE KING OF TALK TO TAKE A WALK

After 25 years on CNN Larry King host and creator of the Larry King show is going to be shown the door (on the way out). This is a case of what have you done for me lately? The reasons given for, as they politely put it in show business speak is that he is departing to pursue other interests. In King's case they said it was for him to spend more time with his family.

The reasons given for his upcoming dismissal was low ratings. CNN Anchor Samira Ahmed stated this was due to recent, and sustained, lower viewing figures. A graph illustrated the decline in viewers for King. CNN and King did not refute the story, or the quoted viewing figures. However, 2 weeks prior to the announcement, the publicly owned UK news station, Channel4 News, announced that CNN were in talks with former newspaper editor and chat show host Piers Morgan, to present an evening talk show, to replace King. If true this is a bad move on CNN's part.

King has conducted some 40,000 interviews with politicians, athletes, entertainers, and other newsmakers. He has won an Emmy Award, two Peabody Awards, and ten Cable ACE Awards. He's not about being a celebrity he's about getting the story.

King began as a local Florida journalist and radio interviewer in the 1950s and '60s. He became prominent as an all-night national radio broadcaster starting in 1978, and then, in 1985, began hosting the nightly interview TV program Larry King Live on CNN.

On June 29, 2010 it was announced that he would step down as host of the show in the fall but will continue to host specials for CNN. King was seldom hosting the show during August and several guest hosts took his place. When he returned and had comedian/actor Jimmy Fallon as his guest Fallon mentioned that King would be missed since he was retiring. King was quick to point out that he wasn't retiring but won't be doing that show.

That raises the question when CNN finds a replacement for the Larry King Show what are they going to call the show? Certainly they can't call it the Larry King Show. Several of the guest hosts were good in their own right but they lack what king has which is he is himself and doesn't try to be an entertainer. To do what King does the host must leave their ego at the door.

King is a master of opening his guests up meaning that he makes them feel comfortable and they will reveal to him what they won't to other talk show hosts. King has the trustworthy factor going for him.

Piers Morgan is best known as one of the three judges of Americas Got Talent. He also was the winner of the Celebrity Apprentice as well as being associated with now former American Idol judge Simon Cowell. Both are British and both are arrogant.

Ryan Seacrest has filled in for King on several occasions. No doubt Seacrest has talent but he is too much in promoting himself and King always maintained a low profile and let the guests be the stars that they are. Comedian/actress Kathy Griffin has also filled in for King several times. She's talented but when she's on it too much about her and that is not what King personifies. American Idol made the mistake of replacing Paula Abdul with a comedian Ellen Degeneres and the comedian admitted after her first season that the show was not suited for her skills. The point being is that King may not be replaceable in the mold of what he represents as being a good, curious interviewer who lets the guests be the star of the show.

In a business that has seen Jay Leno being replaced by Conan O'Brien and then the NBC network reversing themselves by firing O'Brien and bringing Leno back lends itself to dysfunctional network program boss failures.

The American Idol debacle in replacing every one of the original judges but Randy Jackson is another red flag of incompetence. As the saying goes IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT. Obviously some program execs are informatively challenged.

If there is a fault in the declining rating it's not King's. He relies on his producers to line up guests. Some weakness that we have noticed in recent years is that the show is too political, sensationalized and pro Israeli. The topics and guests are not appealing enough for high ratings. So what will CNN and Larry King do? Stay tuned…

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9:00 PM - FRONT LINE - Australia Network

9:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - SEASONS 8 & 9 - Star World

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