Last week it was officially announced that Piers Morgan would be taking over for Larry King when he steps down from his flagship program by year’s end. After more than 25 years at CNN, the legendary host’s last show will be on December 16. There’s no doubt that King has left his footprint in the talk-show world, but has he overstayed his welcome?
In the past decade, ratings for Larry King Live have been on a steady decline. The 76-year old used to have the highest rated show on CNN but people started to grow tired of his old school, no-frills talk show. King has had every living U.S. president as well as countless other political leaders from around the globe on his show.
So why do so many international celebrities and political leaders choose to appear on Larry King Live? Is it because of the tradition or the prestige? Maybe, but a more likely response is that King has always been known to throw softballs. He doesn’t ask hard-hitting, controversial questions or try to back his guests into a corner like some other talk show hosts. King maintains a light atmosphere by letting his guests guide the interviews.
His replacement, Piers Morgan (aka that British dude from America’s Got Talent) will take over for King starting next year. He blogged about how excited he is to take over for King, while also tooting his own horn a bit by name-dropping everyone from Simon Cowell to Jessica Alba. Personally, I don’t think Morgan’s high-brow, dry British style will be suited for the most coveted talk-show spot in the American cable news world.
So did he overstay his welcome? Yes he did, but who gives a shit? This is Larry King people. TV Guide named him “the most remarkable talk-show host on TV ever” and TIME Magazine dubbed him the “master of the mic”. This guy is an American legend and his show has produced some of the most noteworthy interviews of all time.
It’s time to hang up the suspenders Lar, you’ll be missed.
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