Piers Morgan Says No King Slot Takeover?

Well this came out of left field. Hollywood Life’s Laura Schreffler & Karen Datangel report that Piers Morgan is now playing down reports that he’ll be taking over Larry King’s slot…

“That quite a big job to do,” the America’s Got Talent judge told us exclusively Aug. 10 at the launch party for Paris Hilton’s new perfume, “Tease,” in Hollywood. “It’s the biggest news organization in the world. It’s highly unlikely that I’ll be taking over.”

And the biggest cable news soap opera of the year continues. How accurate is the Morgan quote? What’s the context? If the quote is legit, is it a sign that negotiations with CNN are struggling or, worse, stalled? In that case was the quote a means to put pressure on CNN? Or was Morgan lowering expectations deliberately because the negotiations were not going well and he needed an exit strategy?

Update: The Wrap’s Hunter Walker sheds new light on the Morgan comments…(via Mediaite)

The individual who spoke to TheWrap said Morgan was misinterpreted while being bombarded with questions about CNN as he headed into the perfume party.

The person said Morgan is merely completing paperwork on the deal.

Update: Hollywood Life has pulled its Piers Morgan story. The link cited above no longer works.

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