Jay Leno to CNN and Replace Larry King, Says Report - Today's News: Our Take

Jay Leno by Ryan Born/ WireImage.com

First it was Katie Couric, then Ryan Seacrest, and now...Jay Leno?

The "Who'll Replace Larry King" sweepstakes rolls on.

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting CNN is toying with the idea of giving the Tonight Show host a late-night talkfest when his NBC contract expires next year. Leno would then slide into King's 9 pm/ET timeslot when the Suspendered One eventually retires.

To be clear, King has not announced his retirement. He recently re-upped with CNN through 2010.

In a major late-night shuffle, Leno is handing the Tonight reigns over to Conan O'Brien sometime in 2009, with comic Jimmy Fallon assuming the 12:30 am/ET post. NBC has indicated it wants to hold onto Leno, but no plan has been announced. Fox and ABC have also expressed interest in bringing Leno on board. — J.R. Whalen

Related:
• Larry King and CNN Agree to Contract Extension
• Ryan Seacrest to Replace Larry King on CNN?

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Jun 2, 2008 4:04 PM

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He seriously needs to have a sit-down with Dennis Miller!

I used to like him (before he/Kushnik betrayed his so-called friend, Dave), so I offer him this advice:

Back when I used to work in government, there were people we classified as an "Airhead With An Education". That's where I put Leno. (Miller is an "Airhead With A Thesaurus".) Neither of them, in my way of thinking, are terribly quick on their feet, but they can be brilliant with a carefully executed "line". Dennis needs to talk to Jay and explain to him that he must stop listening to the yes-men around him.

Jay Leno is no Anderson Cooper, but I will applaud his hiring by CNN, if it will mean a little more job security for the funniest man in late night (Jimmy Kimmel).

Frankly, I can't believe Fox isn't backing a Brink's truck up to Leno's door. Why don't they try to make a foray into late night TV. It seems PRIME for dominating that time period!

I suppose Jay could take Larry's slot, but Jay isn't getting any younger, and he seems poised for the same sort of senility King appears to be exhibiting. (Besides, if I were programming CNN, I would just shift Anderson up an hour. He's the future.)

Posted by TV Gord

Jun 2, 2008 4:19 PM

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ALOT of people LOVE Jay Leno, me being one of them. If I was in control I'd keep Jay and send Conan back to Poland or where ever his 'twin' is the leader. Same with Kimmel. That guy is just sick. He has to be to make those videos and think they are funny. I will continue to say JAY ALL THE WAY! Good luck in whatever you wind up doing. I'll be watching.
Posted by Prancer Jun 2, 2008 5:20 PM Report Abuse

ALOT of people voted for George Bush, too. That doesn't mean the world is a better place. ALOT of people watch American Idol and Survivor and Breaking BonaLohanRichards. That doesn't mean anything is being contributed to the culture. No one ever went broke listening to the Lowest Common Denominator, but no one ever got a whole heck of a lot of enduring respect, either.

I hope Jay Leno gets the CNN gig. I only watch CNN on Sundays (for Reliable Sources and Fareed Zakaria). As I said, if he's exhiled there, I will only have to see him as often as I see Larry, the King of Dementia!

Posted by TV Gord

Jun 2, 2008 5:34 PM

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Well - if CNN wants to replace Larry King with an even worse interviewer (and I didn't think that was possible - I cannot figure out why Larry King has a career) - then yes - hire Jay Leno. I cannot stand him - and will not watch The Tonight Show. He makes the interviews all about himself. I would not watch anything with Jay (or Ryan Seacrest - THE most annoying and over exposed person on the planet).

Posted by actingup

Jun 2, 2008 7:36 PM

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I can't see Jay on CNN. On NBC his questions are all known. He has proven to be incapable of asking any of his guests tough questions and on CNN he will be expected to do that. As bad as Larry King can seem at times, he does go after some of his guests once in a while. But it is getting to be time for Larry to wrap it up.
Posted by Buffy Freak Jun 2, 2008 10:42 PM Report Abuse

So the most socially awkward man on TV now gets a show doing one of the many things he does so poorly - making conversation. The only way this show would hold any interest for me is if Jay were to get liquored up before each taping and finally start to admit what he really feels about his parents.
Posted by DaMess Jun 3, 2008 2:26 AM Report Abuse

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