Don't Laugh -- Ryan Seacrest Is Larry King's Best Replacement

By Joel Keller Posted Jun 30th 2010 04:10PM

Pop-Ed: Soon after Larry King announced last night that he was giving up his daily 'Larry King Live' show in the fall, his guest, Bill Maher, turned the tables on King and asked him a question: Who would he like to see as his replacement?

Larry's answer was surprising, at least to some: Ryan Seacrest.

Snickers went up all over America. Seacrest? He's a lightweight, right? He kisses up to folks on red carpets, laughs with Lady Gaga on his radio show and talks to Crystal Bowersox as if she's a superstar. There's no way he could hold his own with world leaders, controversial figures in the news and feisty politicians ... could he?

Well, he could, and he'd be pretty darn good at it, too. And the reason why Seacrest can be King's replacement is that he's pretty much just like King, minus the suspenders and multiple marriages.

Earlier today on TV Squad, I discussed why I thought King got results despite not being perceived as a tough interviewer, and Seacrest has a lot of the same qualities. Yes, he can be a kiss-ass, but that actually has been one of his assets over the years; he draws his subjects in and allows them to trust him. And there's a difference between being a kiss-ass and being a fawning, drooling fanboy. From all the interviews I've seen and heard Secreast do, the word "fanboy" never crosses my mind.

Take this example, from Seacrest's KIIS-FM radio show: He's doing a phone interview with Jennifer Aniston while she's promoting 'Love Happens.' It's not a very long interview, maybe six minutes or so. And he doesn't ask her about Brad or Angelina or anything like that -- I mean, heck, it's a quick radio phone call. But we do manage to find out that Jen loves Mexican food and what she's currently reading. Nothing earth-shattering, but her seeming comfort with Seacrest, a person she's never met, lays the groundwork for a more intimate interview later on.

Seacrest has a curiosity that will serve him well as a talk show host. Even in the most benign interviews, he likes to ask the questions the average viewer would like to know, mainly because, for the most part, he's still looking at show business from an outsider's perspective.

Last year, for instance, he interviewed 'American Idol' winner Kris Allen on King's show. And while the topic was in his wheelhouse and he'd likely gotten to know Allen a bit during the 'Idol' season, Seacrest still asked questions about "the Christian vote," what Allen's toughest week was, and why Arkansas doesn't get a lot of respect.

The advantage Seacrest has over King right now is that he's more current on pop culture. He'd be able to speak to Lady Gaga and not look like he's tuning out. He'd know that 'Seinfeld' didn't get canceled. It won't look completely uncomfortable to see Seacrest interview cast members of the 'Twilight' series that are young enough to be King's grandchildren. And he's such a hard worker -- come on, you know he is, the guy's everywhere -- he'll doubtlessly be well-prepared no matter who he's speaking to.

If there's anything about Seacrest that's a bit of a mystery, though, it's how he would do with political figures. Even King wasn't sure, telling Maher, "I don't know how he feels about politics." But there's no reason to think Seacrest couldn't hold his own, if only because his style is so similar to King's. He's likable, curious and allows people to speak -- he doesn't pontificate.

That should be enough to let any candidate, congressman, senator or even president let down his or her guard just enough to get a good soundbite. You don't always need to be a policy wonk in order to host a good interview with a politician. In fact, people tuning in every night aren't looking for 'Meet The Press.' They're looking to be informed and entertained. And Seacrest will give his best to do just that.

What do you think? Does Seacrest have what it takes to replace Larry King?

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Tags: CNN, larry king, ryan seacrest

Comments

(29)

Wednesday 30 June

By mike

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the show would be another american ?

By Jennifer

Why does Ryan Seacrest get knocked so much? What has he done to merit that? He seems like a decent law abiding citized. Am I missing something?

By fiona

Yeah, he's a total twit. No way would I watch Ryan Seacrest LIVE on CNN. NO FRICKIN' WAY!!

By Nico Toscani

Seacrest lacks the gravitas to do REAL interviews with politicians and the like. He's a total lightweight and should stick to interviewing celebutards.

Thursday 01 July

By gobluespartyon

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I agree with Jennifer Ryan would do a good job as host as he does on E! News & American Idol. Your dead wrong Nico you don't know what your talking about your claims your lies your moron and judgemental as well. And there called celebs not celebutards and there is no such thing as celebutards so that is another lie and made up word.

By skiboy1998

I think the problem with this is that Ryan Seacrest is a television host not a journalist. So, I think this reverts back to the age old Hollywood choosing a pretty face over someone qualfied to ask real questions. I am not sure how much credibitlity the show would have with a Red Carpet host asking questions, then again Elliot Spitzer will be on so CNN is very credible anymore anyway.

By Zero

No, it's ~perfect~, if he's gay he'll
never have controversial wives!

Saturday 10 July

By Barbara

What is it with you people and the gay remarks. We should be past that. I think he is serious about a FEMALE.
But I could be wrong. I do not know him. Do you know him?

By K

Ok, enough of Ryan. He is annoying. Acts like a fool on American idol. He thinks hes better than anyone else, but in fact hes an idiot. He couldnt handle that show if he tried, he does fluffy interviews, and could never handle anyone serious. NO RYAN!!!!!

By hitman

Ryan Seacrest should not be allowed on TV at all, talk about no talent at all that is Ryan Seacrest.

By ric

Seacrest isn't bad, he is just sooooooo overexposed. He is on everything, enough, enough, enough. Get someone else. I don't want to see him or hear him on anything else.

By bf

How in the hell he is supposed to do this? The currently holding three contracts: American Idol, E! News and Radio Station. It is already insanely high load for anybody. And it's not like he has 5 ex-wives and 10 children to pay off.

By Bernadette

Ryan would be perfect to replace King.

By Bonnie

I have watched Ryan Seacrest as he's progressed in the Industry and I think he's perfect for any project he encounters. I think he really knows people and how to react to them. He's a go-getter, and I love him like a Grandmother.

By sandpiper708

How about considering Anderson Cooper, or Whoppi Goldberg,

By Jane

That was my first thought!

By brit

WHAT ARE THESE PEOPLE THINKING

By Brit

WHAT ARE THEY THINKING

By Ev

NNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Nuf said. Ev out

By carol

If Ryan Seacrest replaces Larry King, it will be the end of that show! I know I will never watch one episode if he is named to take King's place.