*Laura Coates, a CNN senior legal analyst and Sirius XM host based out of Washington D.C. was supposed to take over the news network’s 11 p.m. hour after newly-ousted Don Lemon was moved from the 10 and 11 p.m. slot to mornings last fall. CNN had announced in January that Alisyn Camerota would anchor the 10 p.m. hour, and Coates would take over at 11 p.m.
But it appears now that Coates’ 11 p.m. show will not move forward as planned. Insider reports that Coates was told that CNN is not able to staff a separate hour at this time, and that their focus for the time being is on Camerota’s New York-based 10 p.m. show.
CNN’s 10 p.m.-12 a.m. programming block, called “CNN Tonight,” is reportedly still temporary, with Camerota currently anchoring both hours. TVNewser reports that CNN is focusing on setting permanent plans for the 9 and 10 p.m. hours, but added that Coates is still on rotation for other hosting opportunities.
With Lemon gone and Coates apparently out of the running for 11 p.m., CNN’s 4 p.m. through primetime host lineup currently lacks an anchor of color. But that will change this fall with the addition of “King Charles,” hosted by “CBS Mornings” co-anchor Gayle King and TNT “Inside the NBA” analyst Charles Barkley.
While TNT and CNN are under parent company Warner Bros Discovery, competitor CBS News is said to have signed on to loaning out King.
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As previously reported, “King Charles” will be a live discussion show airing Wednesday nights. CNN CEO Chris Licht told staffers in a memo that the show will be “an exciting new way we are delivering culturally relevant programming and unique perspectives to our audience, from two incredibly dynamic personalities.”
In a joint announcement on TNT last week, King said that they will talk about politics on the show. Barkley interjected, ”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.”
Barkley 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.”
Coming this fall, King Charles with Gayle King and Charles Barkley will air weekly on CNN in primetime running into 2024. Hear Gayle and Charles talk about their new show on @NBAonTNT. pic.twitter.com/ZMqYXdtYBw
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) April 22, 2023
Meanwhile, this isn’t the first time Coates has been snubbed. Alex Trebek had publicly championed her as his potential successor to host “Jeopardy!” After his death in November 2020, she reached out to the show, but her offer was rejected.
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