America's Got Talent's Piers Morgan Set To Replace Larry King
Twitchell
Former British newspaper editor turned TV personality Piers Morgan is close to
finalizing his deal to replace iconic talk show host Larry King, RadarOnline.com
has exclusively learned.
Read The Email Sent By CNN Exec To Announce Larry King's Retirement
Morgan, one of three judges on NBC's top-rated reality TV show America's Got
Talent, has been negotiating with CNN for weeks and the $10 million deal is all
but inked, according to a source familiar with the situation.
In fact, an agreement was finalized even before King’s live television
retirement Tuesday.
King, 76, announced he would be ending his nightly Larry King Live show this
fall after 25 years.
The broadcast veteran said he would still host specials for CNN on major events
but wanted to spend more time with his wife and young children.
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, King and his seventh wife, Shawn
Southwick, called off their plans to divorce in May.
Morgan, the former editor of the UK's Daily Mirror who was sacked after
publishing fabricated photos of British troops apparently abusing Iraqi
detainees, is set to edge out CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric and American
Idol presenter Ryan Seacrest as a replacement.
“CNN has made it clear to Piers that he is the network’s first choice to replace
Larry,” said a source.
“He is very, very close to agreeing to terms.”
The deal will almost certainly see Morgan quit America’s Got Talent.
Said the source, “America's Got Talent finishes in mid-September. That is
perfect timing to coincide with Larry’s retirement and allow Piers to take
over.”
King’s departure represents a major restructuring for the cable news network,
which follows a troubled period during which it has lost viewers to rivals MSNBC
and Fox News.
CNN hired Eliot Spitzer, the disgraced former governor of New York who admitted
to visiting a prostitute, to host a show preceding the coveted 9pm time slot.
CNN said Tuesday night, of King’s replacement: "Today is about Larry. We will
announce plans for the 9 p.m. hour in the weeks ahead."
Morgan, 45, tied the knot with partner Celia Walden on June 24.
The couple will host a showbiz soiree in London on July 10, with the guest list
to be headlined by former American Idol judge Simon Cowell, before he returns
stateside.
Morgan was also the 2008 winner of Donald Trump's The Celebrity Apprentice.