Piers Morgan: Obama's Restored U.S. Reputation

(CBS)  The man named by CNN to replace Larry King as its main primetime interviewer -- British tabloid veteran Piers Morgan -- says one of the people he'd like to talk with is President Obama.

In an exclusive morning TV interview, Morgan wouldn't tell "Early Show" special contributor Amanda Holden who his first guest will be, but he did share a short list of people he'd like to get in front of the cameras -- and Mr. Obama's on the list.

"I'd love to (interview) President Obama," said Morgan. "I like what he's done for the reputation of America abroad, which I'm not sure many Americans fully understand. But he has restored the reputation of America, in my view, hugely."

Morgan says Mr. Obama's not the only president he'd like to interview. "Bill Clinton (is) another one. One of the most charismatic people I've ever seen."

Also on his list: Mel Gibson. "What a story he's got to tell!" Morgan commented.

He's slated to start his new gig in January. King's last night hosting "Larry King Live" is scheduled for Dec. 16.

Morgan, best-known in the U.S. as a judge on NBC's "America's Got Talent," told Holden that King is "one of my heroes. And what I loved about the show always was that he could (interview) a president one minute and Paris Hilton the next, and be equally comfortable. And there aren't many people who can do that."

Holden and Morgan are both judges on "Britain's Got Talent" (the show that discovered Susan Boyle), and Morgan has his own talk show, "Piers Morgan's Life Stories," on Britain's ITV.

The long-running "Larry King Live" is in third-place in the primetime cable talk wars, behind Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity and MSNBC's Rachel Maddow.

King's career has included some 40,000 interviews. He's seen as the man everyone's opened up to.

A frenzy of speculation erupted over who'd take his spot. Familiar names such as Ryan Seacrest, Joy Behar and Howard Stern were mentioned.

But Morgan quickly emerged as the frontrunner. He told Holden he approached CNN, then actively campaigned for the job.

"If I'm as memorable in 40 years time as he's become, I'll be absolutely thrilled," Morgan told Holden.

And, in one of his very first interviews since the news became public, Morgan observed to Holden that the enormity of the news job is still sinking in.

He's one of the most-respected interviewers in the United Kingdom, Holden says.

Morgan's calling card is his blunt style - in contrast to a softer approach King generally took over the years.

On "Piers Morgan's Life Stories," he's faced off with prime ministers, such as an exchange with former PM Gordon Brown, in which Morgan said, "Let me spell it out or you: There was a lot of narcotics washing around universities."

"I've never touched cannabis or hard drugs," Brown responded.

"Never inhaled?" Morgan asked. "Never exhaled?"

Referring to that style, Holden told Morgan, "My husband always says that you pump the cushions up nicely, and then you whack 'em!"

"I don't think I whack people," Morgan replied. "But I do I think -- probably what I'm known for in Britain most is asking very direct questions."

Such as when he asked Simon Cowell, "How vain are you?"

"Not that vain, actually," Cowell responded.

"How do you say that and keep a straight face?" Morgan pressed on.

"Wait. I know how you do it" Botox!" he joked.

Morgan's become an insider on both sides of the Atlantic, with everyone from Hollywood's elite to Britain's royals.

"I had a lunch with (Princess) Diana and Prince William when he was 13," Morgan recalled for Holden. … I remember thinking (this is) the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life."

"American audiences have absolutely no idea, really, of your journalistic background," Holden pointed out. "And you have feasted on celebrities in our country (laughter)."

"Well," Morgan said, "I find the celebrity culture fascinating. But I also find a lot of them to be overpaid, under-worked, pampered little prima donnas. … So, when I find whining celebrities, it really gets on my nerves."

He's interviewed countless celebs, and many have become his friends, Holden says, adding that he told her he's the one who introduced Paul McCartney to Heather Mills, and encouraged him to go out with her. That led to an ill-fated marriage. Sir Paul later told Morgan that advice had cost him $50 million (in the divorce settlement). "Thanks, mate," McCartney kidded Morgan.

Morgan also says Sarah Ferguson begged him for an introduction to Tiger Woods a few years before the scandal surrounding Woods broke. Morgan didn't do it.

He says flatly he's determined to make his mark on American TV. "I want to become the person big stars in America, big public figures feel they can go to for an entertaining encounter. … But they'll be thinking, 'It wasn't an easy ride. That was the perfect interview environment." '

Morgan's new show doesn't have a name yet, but will be based in New York, Holden says. He'll also shuttle between London and Los Angeles, where his family lives. He has a new wife, Celia Walden, who's also a journalist, and three sons, 17, 13, and 9, from a previous marriage. Because but he sees his boys every night via Skype.

Holden says he's a total news junkie, and tells her he can't wait for the next big story to break. His grandfather was a journalist, as was his father for awhile. He says he knew he wanted to be a reporter since he was six years old, and replacing King is a dream come true.

[nameit86]

I have noticed that in order to get a job or position with any media here in the U.S., one of the requirements is to have a left wing,liberal and progressive like mind set. It's like "what is your view, left ot right?" I'm now wondering that the antiChrist is not really a person per se but a radical, left wing philosophy that is sugar coated but enmeshed with lies with an ultimate goal to eventually destroy Christianity. It starts slowly to encrypt the media and it's false ideology and will eventually have a ripple like effect that will ensnare and then destroy. This is what is happening.So many people are misled...just my 2 cents worth. Eventually, years to come we have to have this liberal left wing agenda in our forehead so all of us can get a job.

[dibbs977]

Being a liberal means that you care about more than just a few people---that you care for everyone. It also means that you look for complex answers to difficult, complex problems instead of using black and white thinking or just trying to find someone to blame---or just kill some people. It means you are willing to forgive and let go of old predjudices--to grow intellectually and spiritually instead of just being hateful. It means you have to really be honest with yourself instead of just repeating old dogmas. Being liberal is really about following the teachings of Christ.

[Supersarge53]

Why would CNN hire a person like Piers Morgan? I didn't watch Larry King and i sure won't watch him. CNN needs to get there act together and come up with programming that well get them out of the cellar of the ratings. It's a new day CNN, and your current programming mind set shows you have very few viewers.

[erasmus111]

by Supersarge53 September 9, 2010 1:25 PM EDT
"Why would CNN hire a person like Piers Morgan?"


Why not? Your only b*tch is that he has respect for Obama. I guess that's reason enough to hate him, huh? Just like you hate Obama for being a Democrat and for being black. You people are sick.

[DelawareJack]

Well now ....... isn't that special ........ Piers Morgan ( yet the latest " savior " of CNN ) is evidently so enamored of BO ....... " I like what he's done for the reputation of America abroad " ....... that he is in imminent danger of disappearing so far up BO's AS* that he may never ever see the light of day ever again ....... But ... then again ...that is not that much different than it has been for Larry King .... or the entire CNN network ... for the last 4 or 5 years !! Gotta Love It !!..... Piers Morgan, the newest irrelevant " savior " joining the most irrelevant news source in history ....CNN ! .... OMG .. waaaaay , waaaay, waaaay too precious !! LMAO !!

[canislupus16]

huh?

[barcar55]

"I like what he's done for the reputation of America abroad, which I'm not sure many Americans fully understand. But he has restored the reputation of America, in my view, hugely."
*********************************************************
Really?????? Then let him run your country! You do not live here so you have no idea what you are talking about Piers. He has done nothing but bring our great nation farther down than it already was. Look at the stimulus fiasco. Where are all the jobs it claimed it would provide? If that were true then unemployment wouldn't be so high. Anyone who thinks Obama improved our country needs to have their head examined.

[bobnjersey]

[He has done nothing but bring our great nation farther down than it already was. Look at the stimulus fiasco. ]

according to who? please provide references to your 'facts' ... sincy you all claim the right thinkers base everything of fact ... and left thinkers base everything on feeling.

let's see the facts ... not domestic polls ... international opinion polls.

[erasmus111]

barcar55


You need to pull your head out of your ass. I think that the world can see things better than you and your fellow idiots. Obama has done wonders for your reputation.

And I too would like to see proof of what you just said. The other night I was watching a program on TV, and it was saying that there are graphs showing what he has done, and there is definitely improvement. It's slow, but it's still happening. You could be standing still, or you could be still be going in a downhill spiral, but your are not. Be thankful for that.

But it doesn't really matter does it? Because you and the other "idiots" will find something wrong no matter what, right? There is no way that he can ever be right. Why? Because you are full of HATRED for the Democrats and you just can't see past it. Oh, and there is one other reason....HE'S BLACK.

[Thozman]

I disagree.
Obama's deficit to date, after 19 months in office has surpassed all presidential spending from George Washington to Ronald Reagan inclusive.

People around the world look at Obama as a weak leader, who's both egotistical and naive in the ways of governing.

His poll numbers continue to plunge as more and more people become disillusioned with the effectiveness of his reforms and changes, and his own base is beginning to separate and distance themselves from him.

This just goes to show how out of touch Mr. Morgan is with America and it's current political landscape.

[bobnjersey]

[People around the world look at Obama as a weak leader, who's both egotistical and naive in the ways of governing. ]

did you poll all these people yourself? where are you getting the info to support this conclusion? his domestic poll numbers have no correlation to the impression people have of him internationally.

[dibbs977]

Obama is our president and we need to support him---and HELP him, HELP us. He is a great and good man who is leading us thru unprecedented difficulties. Once we get our economy going, we will be able to address the deficit. When I was a girl in the 50's, everyone was worried about the deficit--then the soldiers came home and prosperity reigned---and then Clinton paid off the debt. We will do it again. Right now---the economy needs to be stimulated--and the only way to do it demands that we raise the deficit. Do any of you have a better idea?

[ASU_75]

If this guy actually believes Obama has restored America's reputation abroad then he's an even bigger twit than Larry King!

[dibbs977]

Well I have read numerous polls from other countries---and the truth is that he has INDEED raised America's reputation almost everywhere.

[johne37179-2]

You have to be kidding. Hardly anyone in the world takes Obama seriously. He has destroyed what respect the world had for the US. Bush may not have been well liked - but he was respected because of his willingness to act. Obama has made the US a pushover and we have the world's respect in the same way Neville Chamberlain did -- and for much the same reason.

[pjw5552]

Oh please, anyone who thinks Bush was respected or that he brought respect to America is both delusional and psychotic. Anyone who thinks Obama has hurt America's reputation hasn't done any foreign travel in quite some time.

You people need to get out more and see the world. You have no idea or clue as to how much things have actually changed for the better since Obama has become President.

[landon1975]

pjw5552.. Agreed. While many, here in the US, see our image as having become passive; it is important to note that many throughout Europe have been kinder in their judgment of us. That may not be of any comfort to those who believe we should go to war over any and everything, but it does help us diplomatically. We Americans should not forget that we still have our "big stick" and are fully able to use it should we be pushed. And the rest of the world knows it too. We don't have to keep yelling "We'll blow you up! We'll blow you up!" repeatedly. It's called control and composure.