Piers Morgan Tells Leno He “Can’t Possibly Comment On” CNN Job Speculation

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by Steve Krakauer | 9:09 am, July 28th, 2010

» 9 comments

America’s Got Talent judge Piers Morgan was a guest on the Tonight Show last night, and Jay Leno waited until segment two to begin the questioning about whether he would take over for CNN’s Larry King.

While Morgan said he couldn’t “actually talk about that at the moment” it didn’t stop some form of conversation from happening – including who Morgan would want as a first guest.

We know Morgan to CNN is a major possibility – Jeff Zucker has said Morgan approached NBC about “another job” and Simon Cowell says he helped “broker the deal.” But exactly two weeks ago outlets like the New York Times were saying the move was imminent, and thus far, nothing has been announced.

Maybe it was Morgan’s silence that conveyed how close it was to happening. “If I was to go to Vegas, and I was to put a decent amount of money down…” asked Leno.

Says Morgan: “All I can say is a fact today is I have just signed a new three-year deal with America’s Got Talent, so…” So? “I can’t possibly comment on it. I’m sorry to be cryptic about it.”

After a discussion about Morgan: the journalist (while working for Rupert Murdoch), Leno returned to the CNN topic with a question about who he’d want as his first guest. “My dream guest right now would be Nelson Mandela,” said Morgan. “An amazing guy…At a time like now, when everyone’s at war, they could all do with probably an hour of Nelson Mandela.”

Is the CNN audience ready for an hour of Nelson Mandela? The news junkies would certainly enjoy, but it’s not clear if Nielson would see a spike. But looking at Morgan’s history as interviewer, his addition to CNN’s prime time line-up could be an interesting, potentially hugely successful move. Through appearances like Leno, he gets introduced to millions of Americans who may not know him – but it will take newsier appearances to begin the public shift from viewing him as a reality TV competitor or judge to a news guy.

As he continues the ‘no comments’ though, speculation will continue to swirl. Here’s the Leno second segment:

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CNN, Jay Leno, NBC, Piers Morgan, The Tonight Show

http://apostrophejones.com Apostrophe jones

Like signing up to be cruise director on the second voyage of the Titanic . You cannot fill Larry’s suspenders , sir !
http://apostrophejones.com Apostrophe jones

Larry asking Sinatra : ” What are you , like a singer ? “
Some_Dude

This is intriguing in a small way. But I’d rather see Rachel Maddow, Soledad O’Brien, or Bill Hemmer take the reigns for a while to see how it works out. And if you want ratings, throw that money at Bill Maher or Megyn Kelly. Talk about a fucking bonanza of hype and interest.
http://apostrophejones.com Apostrophe jones

“Tomorrow night ,… for the full hour… Ant’ny and Huma Weiner “
notsofast

Some_Dude said:
throw that money at Bill Maher

There is a reason that Maher is relegated to the HBO channel.
Phocus2

Wow, with guests like this, Leno will be selling cars soon.
BruceGoose

I think he’s kind of a sleaze, don’t see him pulling the same quality guests as Larry King.
shle896

With so many possibilities out there to replace Larry King, why this guy? He is relatively unknown and to my knowledge isn’t a journalist or even a veteran talk or radio show host and I have to agree with BruceGoose, he seems not only sleazy, but (in my opinion) over-confident and arrogant.

I don’t get it. At all.
Carolyn McEvoy

Much has been written about the combative stylings of UK media pundits and their potential to ‘shake-up’ the formats of US televison. It should not be forgotten by the great and the good behind the scenes in TV land that many of us believe good TV doesn’t necessarily have to be vicious TV.

I will hold judgement on the arrival of Mr Morgan to CNN, whose sardonic wit runs a close second to Mr Cowell’s. However, such wit on an entertainment show like America’s Got Talent, would be out of place and deeply inappropriate in relation to any coverage on Dr Murray’s impending trial. Whether or not Murray is found guilty of foul or negligent play, it needs to be remembered that a father-of-three young children died whilst in his care as primary physician.

Mr Morgan, please don’t blow your big move. You’re funny, smooth and have successfully rehabilitated yourself after your exploits at the dear old Daily Mirror. As newbie-at-the-helm at CNN, many will be looking to see you fail. I am not one of those. On your watch, I am hoping your fearless, rogue temperament will set the tone and see you doing the requisite research while covering an emotive story like Jackson’s death. If I may, please allow me to direct you to an informative and revelatory piece about the history of American media coverage on Jackson to date.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/charles-thomson/one-of-the-most-shameful_b_610258.html

I invite you Sir, to break the mould and cover the trial – when it happens and if you are covering it – with accuracy, compassion and an independent mind. As a fellow Brit, I am counting on you to lead the way and show these yanks how good journalism is done.