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Is Jay Leno the new Larry King?

Jun 3, 2008, 05:42 PM | by Gary Susman

Categories: Television

Kingleno_l 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?

Tim Thu, Jun 5, 2008 at 11:50 AM EST

Chevy Chase. He knows how to draw viewers as a talk-show host.

vw Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 04:43 PM EST

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.

coco Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 04:12 PM EST

Michael Slezak. After that fantastic job with American idols, I can't wait to see more of him conducting solid,interesting, fun interviews!

Stephanie T. Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 03:00 PM EST

Joel McHale without a doubt.

MsDaisy Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 02:05 PM EST

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.

Lucy Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 01:00 PM EST

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.

Tuzo Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 09:42 AM EST

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).

Broadway Baby Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 08:31 AM EST

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.

AA Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 08:29 AM EST

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.

Julie Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 07:29 AM EST

All of this is just idle speculation, because clearly Larry King is an animatronic robot, so he will never need to be replaced.

Cara Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 06:58 AM EST

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.

Snarf Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 06:52 AM EST

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.

Ramon Cartwright Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 09:31 PM EST

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...

thom toth Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 08:28 PM EST

bring on Keith

Al Fredo Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 06:10 PM EST

My contempt is strong enough for Larry King that I would be willing to second Jessica's self-nomination below.

Rasha Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 05:40 PM EST

As long as it's not Leno or Katie Couric, I don't care who it is. Give it to Seacrest!

paige Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 05:21 PM EST

as long as its not larry king, who gives a s***!

Ceballos Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 05:18 PM EST

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.

stephen Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 05:16 PM EST

anyone but seacrest, please God

Jessica Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 04:52 PM EST

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...

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