When the King Retires

Buki Oyedemi

It will be an understatement to say it is the end of an era as Larry King, top broadcast interviewer, has decided to call it quits with his top rated show – Larry King Live. After 25 years of hosting the programme that has endeared him to the hearts of millions the world over, 76 year old King will put paid to presenting the programme in the last quarter of the year. Larry King Live hit the screens in the US as far back as 1985 and is CNN’s longest running programme.
Having carried out over 50,000 interviews with politicians, athletes, entertainers and all manner of newsmakers, King describes his imminent exit as a chapter that has to be closed as he looks forward “to the future and what my next chapter will bring.” While it is obvious that the presenter is aged and has done his best for the show, another major reason for his resignation is that his ratings have begun to fall since the beginning of the year. His current viewership base fell to 7,771,000m viewers which is 43% less than his ratings for 2009.
With the announcement, ardent fans are asking who will replace the broadcast veteran. CNN has already begun seeking a replacement and the arrows are pointing to former British newspaper editor, Piers Morgan, best known in the United States as a judge on America’s Got Talent?, and winner of The Celebrity Apprentice.
In a deal worth £6.6million, media reports reveal that 45-year-old Morgan, a panelist, journalist, television presenter and talk show host, is on the verge of signing a four-year contract to take over King’s primetime talk show. Although also an experienced hand in broadcasting, many wonder if he can do justice to the show.
M2 sought the views of a producer with NTA who craved anonymity but says he believes Morgan will do a good job as the show’s new host. “It’s a bit alarming to know that Larry is leaving the show. It’s been a long time and I think its time to pave way for the younger generation. Going by Morgan’s history he is also a professional though it might be a big shoe to fill. I hope he will do a good job.”
Simi Olulana, a Public Relations executive, believes that King’s legendary style on the show cannot be easily replaced. “Anytime I am opportune to watch the show I feel challenged because, for all you can think, the man is over seventy and is still good at what he does. That for me is inspiring and I know that as long as CNN continues to exist and even beyond, Larry will always be a gem.”
Larry King Live was recently recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the longest running show with the same host in the same time slot. Also known for his philanthropy, King established the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, an organization which donates funds to George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
King will still be working with CNN albeit on part time basis. He says, “I’ll still be a part of the CNN family, hosting several Larry King specials on major national and international subjects.” He believes he needs more time to be with his family. “I’m looking forward to the future and what my next chapter will bring, but for now it’s time to hang up my nightly suspenders.”