Could A Larry King Retirement "Come Sooner Than Planned?"

It's time for him to go!

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/

"CNN sources say the network is starting to search for gentle ways to tell talk-show host Larry King that his long run may be ending," the June issue of Washingtonian says.

"Producers say King's performance on the show has grown increasingly befuddled. One example: An interview with Chris Lawford, son of JFK sister Patricia Kennedy Lawford and actor Peter Lawford, where King acknowledged that for a moment he thought he was interviewing Peter Lawford, who died in 1984. King noted that his guest had married into the Kennedys. 'I didn't marry into the family. My mother is a Kennedy,' Chris Lawford replied.

The incident is one of several that CNN executives say is starting to be a pattern that might make a King retirement come sooner than planned..."

And in another post on mediabistro.

Last night on PBS's Charlie Rose Show, guest host Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly talked to a panel of TV critics about the past and upcoming television season. The program included this interesting exchange about cable news by Tucker and Bill Carter of the NYT:

BILL CARTER: I think what you notice what is happening in CNN is it's failing at night because it has bland people.

<snip>

CARTER: And MSNBC getting better, because Keith Olbermann is getting better, and he is not a bland person. So I think you need edge in those shows to distinguish them.

she's unemployed. tonight on Katherine Harris live---Pat Robertson----for the whole hour!

He's always made my skin crawl.

I mean, more than Barbara Walters does, even...

King: So, John, what do you think about Anna Nicole Smith going to the supreme court?

Stewart: :wtf:

He does no research on any of his guests. He just shows up in his suspenders every night. I've heard him say, "You should write a book," and his guest responds, "I DID write a book."

On a day when a huge political story is breaking, he'll have Donny and Marie or some obscure psychic on the show. I was surprised when CNN renewed his last contract.

I can't believe anyone still watches. You can bet he will be replaced with something worse and more offensive. The brainiacs at CNN will probably give his slot to Ann Coulter.

..even a single semi-tough question, or was it more along the lines of "so how many miles did you walk today"?

He is well informed. Why he is a good interviewer. I mean he has been soft - but that is why they pay him. I think he showed disinterest in the panel on addiction. I don't think it was a huge gaff. Why would someone who lived through WII and the 1970s know who was PL kid and who was PL.

Who - who? would replace him? Cause really there are thousands of interview shows and very few have his inherent talent. I just wish times were different. And if the last week is any example.. I think next week will be all Democrat... and I look forward to Randy Rhodes for an hour.At least at some point CNN will have to put on DEm or Dem leaning panels to make it fair. I can dream can't I??

And please.. nobody back Maher ass better than Larry King. After he was swiftboated out of the network market for "dark humour".. King was there. You think he didn't get flack for having Maher on 3 times a year?