Piers Morgan's CNN Talk Show Is Cancelled

British CNN host Piers Morgan's prime time talk show has been cancelled by the broadcaster. The outspoken former Daily Mirror editor succeeded Larry King three years ago. However, the TV presenter's show, Piers Morgan Live, has had poor ratings.



A CNN spokesperson told Sky News: "CNN confirms that Piers Morgan Live is ending. The date of the final program is still to be determined." Morgan admitted the show had recently "taken a bath in the ratings" and it had been "a painful period".

"Look, I am a British guy debating American cultural issues, including guns, which has been very polarising, and there is no doubt that there are many in the audience who are tired of me banging on about it," he told The New York Times.

"I think I can credibly do news and the ratings reflect that, but it is not really the show that I set out to do.

"There are all kinds of people who can do news here. I'd like to do work - interviews with big celebrities and powerful people - that is better suited to what I do well."

Morgan added he and CNN President Jeff Zucker were discussing a new role for him at the channel. While in the States he has also appeared as a judge on NBC show America's Got Talent and a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice. However, he fell out of favour with American audiences in December 2012 over his views on US gun control laws.

Tens of thousands of Americans signed a petition calling for Morgan to be deported over his criticism of the country's firearms legislation.

He called for tighter gun control measures in the wake of the December 14 massacre at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.

"Ironic US gun rights campaign to deport me for 'attacking Second Amendment rights' - is my opinion not protected under 1st Amendment rights?" Morgan tweeted at the time, referring to freedom of speech provisions and refusing to back down from his position.

Earlier this month, CNN confirmed Morgan was interviewed under police caution - but not arrested - on December 6 over allegations of phone hacking at the Daily Mirror, where he was editor from 1995 until 2004.

Source

Sky News