When Larry King was taken off CNN after a long, successful run, the Atlanta-based network chose British journalist and "America's Got Talent" host Piers Morgan to replace him.
Unfortunately, over three years, Morgan failed to draw much of a following and his ratings hit a nadir recently. It was clear his departure was only a matter of time.
The New York Times broke the story last night with an interview with Morgan, who said the show will likely end in March after talking to CNN president Jeff Zucker, who arrived a year ago. This will be Zucker's first big move in prime time.
As David Carr, the New York Times columnist wrote, Morgan's British pique may have helped him on a reality show but not as a commentator and newsman on an American news network: "It is difficult for him to speak credibly on significant American events because, after all, he just got here." And Morgan admitted the same to Carr:
“Look, I am a British guy debating American cultural issues, including guns, which has been very polarizing, and there is no doubt that there are many in the audience who are tired of me banging on about it,” Morgan told Carr. “That’s run its course and Jeff and I have been talking for some time about different ways of using me.”
Morgan, Carr wrote, may stay on in a different capacity. And he had no idea what CNN will place at 9 p.m. instead.
His most potent topic - railing against our gun issues - placed him at odds with a lot of Americans.
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