Via The New York Post's "Page 6" (with a shout out to TVNewser, where I first saw it):
Larry King's contract with CNN is set to expire in 18 months -- and the cable network's chiefs are busy lining up his successor in case he retires.
King, 75, has been interviewing celebrities since 1985. Sources say CNN's first choice to succeed him would be Ryan Seacrest -- but his massive deal with "American Idol" makes him too expensive. Other contenders are CBS anchor Katie Couric, CNN "video wall guy" John King and Joy Behar, who is launching her own interview show on CNN's Headline News.
A source predicted, "Larry will step down in 18 months. Ryan is the popular choice to take over, but his deal with Fox makes him unreachable.
Michael Williams/startraksphoto.
it is time for mr king to retire…
as a matter of fact, he probably should have retired five years ago…he has lost a bit of luster these last few years.
I’m surprised you posted this Page 6 article, with practically zero facts (apart from the contract expiring) and lots of speculation.
Regardless, there’s no way CNN can afford Ryan Seacrest – nor do I think they would honestly give him a daily, primetime show.
Hope they will avoid a flashy choice and go for a proven interviewer. Kevin Pollak already hosts an online chat show/podcast that is great.
Let’s see stay with Idol at $15 Mill a year and hang in Hollywood with A list celebrities in a really fun environment doing a job my cat could pull off or work for less money on CNN interviewing murderers, rapists, politicians and other low lifes of society for much less money cause CNN is broke and doesn’t have anywhere near the audience figures of American Idol?
CNN needs to do what ABC World News Tonight did with taking Diane Sawyer and putting her in place of Charlie Gibson. Just give somebody else currently at CNN the show and call it a day.
Is Jiminy Glick not available?
Wait a minute, Larry’s still alive?
Yeah, he’s alive. I heard he’s playing with the Rolling Stones … wait, uh ??
I’m already over-saturated with Ryan Seacrest. Anyone but him, PLEASE!
Why does Seacrest get so much work?
He’s not that well liked. I mean I don’t dislike him. But he’s not that talented or that charismatic to deserve all the work that he gets and all the money he makes on American Idol when he’s totally replaceable.
I’m at a loss to understand Ryan Seacrests appeal.
Ryan Seacrest’s appeal?
He’s cute.
Women 18 to 49 years of age love him.
On TV and Radio.
Look at his ratings on Kiss in Los Angeles. Though LA radio sucks he still has the audience listening to him and more important they are the right listeners that advertisers want to reach out to with their message.
What’s that the kids say? Give him his props and don’t hate!
Ryan Seacrest? You gotta be kidding. Isn’t Mickey Mouse available?
That would be a major FAIL for CNN. All of their options sound strange. Katie Couric is over at CBS, switching asgain probbly wouldn’t be the best thing for her. Joy Behar is best at HLN, a primetime show on CNN i way too much for her. John King already does the Sunday show. Im sure CNN can atrract a bigger name.
seacrest is sooooooooooooooooooo over-rated…i just don’t get it.