Poor Larry King. He reminds me of the poor fellow near the beginning of Monty Python and the Holy Grail who keeps insisting that he’s not dead yet, that he feels just fine, really. Both King and CNN have said that he’s not going anywhere, and yet rumors persist of his imminent replacement. Names floated have included Ryan Seacrest, Katie Couric, and now, Jay Leno.
I don’t even know if any of these people want the job — Seacrest’s sorta busy, yes? Couric will have to stick it out at CBS a while longer in order for both the network and herself to save face when she finally does leave. Leno, though, is going to have plenty of time on his hands starting next year, and I’m sure he’s happy to irk NBC by letting other networks court him. Whether or not any of these folks end up replacing King, I’m certainly ready to see him put into suspendered animation. Not because he’s old, but because he’s always been unable (or unwilling) to acknowledge context. Everything is equally important and newsworthy to him, whether it’s the utterances of a world leader, Anna Nicole Smith’s mailman, or caller Bob from West Tumbleweed.
If CNN does hire Leno or Seacrest (and maybe even if it hires Couric), there’s only going to be more of the same. So maybe he should stick around for a while, long enough to curdle and turn cranky like Andy Rooney. At least then, maybe he’d venture an opinion once in a while that would ruffle some feathers, or recognize that some matters are weightier than others.
Your turn: Who would you pick to fill Larry King’s slot? Or would you have him stick around as long as he likes?
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I have often thought Larry King was a total loon, but didn’t watch the show often so it had little bearing on my life. Then, last night, I was re-watching his interview with the cast of Queer As Folk(from at least five years ago) and even then he was an egomaniac who asked all sorts of questions yet rarely heard the answers. How’s that for interview skills? As for who should replace him, I’m leaning towards…ME! I actually have an interest in learning new facts about people or subjects and I don’t ask the same lame question every five minutes…
anyone but seacrest, please God
I don’t get the whole Leno thing:
When NBC announced a few years ago that Conan would be replacing him I thought I heard (or I was under the impression) Leno was retiring. Now, I keep hearing Leno may strike a deal with NBC or another network. Did Leno change his mind about retiring or was he being forced out in the first place? Someone please enlighten me if you can.
As for who should replace Larry King. I’d have to go with…no one. Why do we need someone to replace Larry King. When Larry King retires his show should end and then someone COMPLETELY new can have a different show in Larry’s slot, but I don’t see why we need someone to put on a de-facto Larry King show.
as long as its not larry king, who gives a s***!
As long as it’s not Leno or Katie Couric, I don’t care who it is. Give it to Seacrest!
My contempt is strong enough for Larry King that I would be willing to second Jessica’s self-nomination below.
bring on Keith
Some names that come to mind include:
1. Whoopi Goldberg
2. Tavis Smiley
3. Anderson Cooper
4. Judge Judy
5. D. L. Hughley
6. Ellen DeGeneres
7. Miss Jack Davey
8. Suzanne Malveaux
9. Jeanie Moost
10. Charles Barkley
Number 7 may seem out of the blue. But trust me she’d be fabulous and look good doing it…
Bill Mauer (ex of Politically Incorrect) The man is insightful opinated, clearly researches his subjects (unlike King) and isn’t above making waves on occasion.
There’s no question for me: Joel McHale. Though I recognize this is ever so slightly impossible and also that it would probably be a waste of his comedic talents–there’s just no one else I’d rather see interview crazy famous people.
All of this is just idle speculation, because clearly Larry King is an animatronic robot, so he will never need to be replaced.
I vote for Jessica too. Seacrest is too everywhere. Keep Couric on the CBS news (which I never watch), and keep Leno off the air. Like, forever.
I’m with Jessica – how about someone who actually listens to his guests answers for a change and can press the issue when a question isn’t answered? After Anderson Cooper telling Donna Brazille last night that he wanted to be her Boo – I’m all for him. It was uncomfortable and awkward and we don’t have enough of that on late night tv.
I think the Leno/King comparison is great as I think Leno becomes more King-like every year. That is not a compliment.
So, I think Leno could easily fill King’s suspenders (that sounds sort of dirty).
There are many reasons to find Larry King obnoxious. What I find especially irritating is that he always pronounces people’s names incorrectly. It’s just disrespectful. He’s supposed to be a professional journalist for goodness sake.
What little respect for Larry King that I may have had disappeared in 2005 when not only did he keep bringing on James Caviezel as a guest during Pope JPII’s death, but he asked a bunch of other clerics (including a rabbi) what they thought of Caviezel’s performance in “Passion of the Christ”. Needless to say, the rabbi was not amused.
Joel McHale without a doubt.
Michael Slezak. After that fantastic job with American idols, I can’t wait to see more of him conducting solid,interesting, fun interviews!
it’s sad that no one will miss larry king least of all me. i think they should just let it all go and come up with a new concept for the time slot. no one will really care anyways.
Chevy Chase. He knows how to draw viewers as a talk-show host.
This is for Mr. Larry Kings show, Please tell me why the “Good Southern Baptist” have not said anything about Palin’s daughter. It is amazing they are so concern about a magazine that talks about Women Ministers, had it pulled from shelves, but they can’t see how bad it looks for a person running for the high office of vice president of our country has a daughter that’s pregnant and not married looks. I’m not saying she should not support her child, but come on, let’s think about how our morals and standards look to the other countries, as well as to the young people in our on country. It’s find to support her, but put her on display for the world to see. Have we gotten so lacks in this country that we’re not standing for anything anymore????
R. Calhoun, South Carolina
I am so sick of the disgusting Republicans making such a big deal out of Obama’s association with Ayers. Where were the Democrats 4 years ago talking about Bush’s long term relationship with the Bin Laden family and the terrorist connections with those that donated to his campaign???????
Larry King is decent, outspoken without intimidating his guests, and someone viewers trust. I doubt if likes of Ja Leno, comedy aside, could ever fill Larry’s shoes.
Keep at it Larry; you are a good man!
Yanyara
http://eezylivin.com/blog
Mr King ,if you haven’t noticed is brilliant and very well read..He makes every guest feel comfortable.He is asking questions dough heads like us couldn’t even think of.
So to replace him you need an equally intelligent person, mmm maybe Bush oops no, how about Anderson Cooper.
How about Jeremy Bentham? His only commitment is to be wheeled out for the annual LSE board meeting.
I like Jay Leno and think that he is very comparable with Johnny Carson Style. Low on vulgarity and high on treating most guests with the highest respect. I Hope they do not use Conan O’Brien to replace him. His vulgarity has turned me off from watching him. I think if, Jay Leno, has to be replaced, that Ryan Seacrest, would be the one to do it.