Gayle King and Charles Barkley made the official announcement Saturday of a brand new weekly primetime collection for CNN: King Charles.
The reside present is about to debut this fall and run by 2024, and is a central function of CNN boss Chris Licht’s efforts to revive the community’s primetime schedule. Its 9 p.m. ET hour has lacked a everlasting host since Chris Cuomo was fired in December 2021.
King and Barkley, although, will fill one evening of the week, Wednesday.
Licht has been taking a distinct method to programming the 9 p.m. ET slot, with a mixture of exhibits and codecs somewhat than giving one character a five-nights-a-week gig. The community has been making an attempt a mix of reside occasions, like city halls and one-on-one interviews together with Jake Tapper’s sit-down with Bill Maher, within the slot.
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King and Barkley made the announcement on TNT’s NBA playoffs pregame protection.
“What I think is so great for the both of us is that it’s live TV,” King stated. “To me, live TV is like working without a net. So whatever happens, happens. I like that.”
She stated that she “wasn’t looking for another job,” as she stays below contract for CBS Mornings, and Barkley will proceed on WBD Sports.
Barkley stated that he additionally didn’t “want to be on TV more” however agreed to it when supplied the chance to staff with King.
King Charles is being billed as a dialogue present. In a memo to staffers, Licht wrote that the present will probably be “an exciting news way we are delivering culturally relevant programming and unique perspectives to our audience, from two incredibly dynamic personalities.”
King stated that they may discuss politics on the present, however Barkley added, “but we don’t want to say we are a liberal, conservative, Republican, Democrat. That is one of the things that has already ruined television in general. She is going to be a straight shooter, and you know I am going to be a straight shooter.”
He added: “All I want is people, even if I disagree with them, to be honest with me. I don’t want them saying things to get clickbait. That is one of the things that is what drives me crazy about people in our profession right now.”
Said King: “Everyone I know has an opinion about something. I just think we have to figure out a way to have a good conversation without tearing each other down, I think we can do that.”
As an instance, Barkley instructed {that a} wave of gun shootings this week could be a subject for the present if it had been on the air now. “The image that people have of us around the world is not so good,” King stated. “I know friends who are thinking about leaving America because their children are about to go to school.”
She additionally introduced up the opportunity of lighter topics like meals and popular culture.
“I want people to tune in to see, ‘What are Charles and Gayle going to do?’” King stated, including that “it will be fun to watch the dynamic between the two of us.”
Here is Licht’s full memo to staffers:
To my CNN Colleagues,
I’m thrilled to share that CNN will probably be house to a brand new present that includes the extraordinary duo of Gayle King and Charles Barkley, aptly titled King Charles, which is able to air weekly in primetime starting this fall and operating into 2024. This present will probably be an thrilling new manner we’re delivering culturally related programming and distinctive views to our viewers, from two extremely dynamic personalities. We are excited that they’re each in a position to be part of us along with their present respective roles with Gayle persevering with to anchor CBS Mornings. King Charles exemplifies the one-team, one-company mentality with Charles enjoying double responsibility at CNN and in his function at WBD Sports.
There will probably be extra to come back on this within the months forward, however within the meantime, please be part of me in welcoming Gayle and Charles to CNN.
Chris
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