Gayle King and Charles Barkley made the official announcement Saturday of a brand new weekly primetime sequence for CNN: King Charles.
The stay present is about to debut this fall and run via 2024, and is a central characteristic 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 night time of the week, Wednesday.
Licht has been taking a special method to programming the 9 p.m. ET slot, with a mixture of reveals and codecs reasonably than giving one persona a five-nights-a-week gig. The community has been attempting a combination of stay occasions, like city halls and one-on-one interviews together with Jake Tapper’s sit-down with Invoice Maher, within the slot.
RELATED: 2023 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Sequence On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming
King and Barkley made the announcement on TNT’s NBA playoffs pregame protection.
“What I feel is so nice for the each of us is that it’s stay TV,” King stated. “To me, stay TV is like working with out a internet. So no matter occurs, occurs. I like that.”
She stated that she “wasn’t in search of one other job,” as she stays underneath contract for CBS Mornings, and Barkley will proceed on WBD Sports activities.
Barkley stated that he additionally didn’t “wish to be on TV extra” however agreed to it when supplied the chance to workforce 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 thrilling information means we’re delivering culturally related programming and distinctive views to our viewers, from two extremely dynamic personalities.”
King stated that they’ll discuss politics on the present, however Barkley added, “however we don’t wish to say we’re a liberal, conservative, Republican, Democrat. That is likely one of the issues that has already ruined tv usually. She goes to be a straight shooter, and I’m going to be a straight shooter.”
He added: “All I would like is folks, even when I disagree with them, to be trustworthy with me. I don’t need them saying issues to get clickbait. That is likely one of the issues that’s what drives me loopy about folks in our career proper now.”
Stated King: “Everybody I do know has an opinion about one thing. I simply suppose we have now to determine a technique to have an excellent dialog with out tearing one another down, I feel we are able to do this.”
For example, Barkley advised {that a} wave of gun shootings this week can be a subject for the present if it have been on the air now. “The picture that individuals have of us all over the world will not be so good,” King stated. “I do know pals who’re serious about leaving America as a result of their youngsters are about to go to high school.”
She additionally introduced up the potential of lighter topics like meals and popular culture.
“I would like folks to tune in to see, ‘What are Charles and Gayle going to do?’” King stated, including that “it will likely be enjoyable to observe the dynamic between the 2 of us.”
Right here is Licht’s full memo to staffers:
To my CNN Colleagues,
I’m thrilled to share that CNN will probably be dwelling 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 working into 2024. This present will probably be an thrilling new means we’re delivering culturally related programming and distinctive views to our viewers, from two extremely dynamic personalities. We’re excited that they’re each in a position to be a 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 taking part in double obligation at CNN and in his function at WBD Sports activities.
There will probably be extra to come back on this within the months forward, however within the meantime, please be a part of me in welcoming Gayle and Charles to CNN.
Chris
