By now most of you have probably heard the news, CNN is pulling the plug on “Piers Morgan Live”. I’d love to be the better man and say it was fun while it lasted and wish Mr. Morgan luck in the future. But I can’t, it wasn’t fun, it wasn’t entertaining, and it wasn’t terribly informative either. Mr. Morgan is talentless hack who seems to think Americans aren’t smart enough — or maybe nuanced enough to appreciate him;
“It’s been a painful period and lately we have taken a bath in the ratings,” Morgan told the New York Times on Sunday.
In his interview with the Times, Morgan said he thought the audience may have grown weary of his focus on gun control — a major topic of conversation on the show in the wake of several mass shootings in the United States.
“Look, I am a British guy debating American cultural issues, including guns, which has been very polarizing,” he said. “There is no doubt that there are many in the audience who are tired of me banging on about it.”
That’s certainly part of it, but to be perfectly honest Piers, we never really liked you. We gave you the benefit of our doubt and tolerated you for a time, but we never really bonded.
You never really tried to assimilate or understand us — ultimately that’s why Mr. Morgan failed to connect with an American audience. His ratings had been dismal for quite a while, not because of his accent or his anti-gun stance, but because of his personality. Mr. Morgan was a terrible host. In simple terms he was a bully, he made the fatal mistake of allowing the debate to become personal. Instead of debating the issue itself he attacked those whom disagreed with personally. Even going so far as to berate a guest yelling “You’re an unbelievably stupid man, aren’t you?” at Larry Pratt of Gun Owners of America. Or resorting to a childish attack on the shape of John Lott’s eyebrows.
The truth is Americans don’t like bullies. Nor do we like to be lectured. We don’t like being told how to think, or feel, about an issue — particularly by an outsider who is openly dismissive or contemptuous of our Constitution. We simply want the facts, the who, what, when, where, why and how — we’ll form our own opinions with them.
Unfortunately, cable news isn’t about the facts anymore, Jonn Lilyea, is right;
but cable news has become 24-hour editorializing from journalists, who really aren’t experts on any subject except themselves and their feelings. We don’t really give a rat’s tiny, furry ass about what journalists think about an issue. So, CNN, here’s the secret to an effective news show – report the news and let us guess about the politics of the person giving that news to us. Morgan’s problem wasn’t that he was British preaching to Americans, it was that he was preaching to us, no matter what kind of accent he has. We don’t watch Rachel Maddow for the same reason and he doesn’t have an accent.
For his part Mr. Morgan is unapologetic;
Mr. Morgan’s approach to gun regulation was more akin to King George III, peering down his nose at the unruly colonies and wondering how to bring the savages to heel. He might have wanted to recall that part of the reason the right to bear arms is codified in the Constitution is that Britain was trying to disarm the citizenry at the time.
He regrets none of it, but clearly understands his scolding of “stupid” opponents of gun laws was not everyone’s cup of tea.
“I’m in danger of being the guy down at the end of the bar who is always going on about the same thing,” he said. He added that he was sure there were plenty of people in the heartland angry “about this British guy telling them how to lead their lives and what they should do with their guns.”
No Piers, you are that guy. Which is why, like great may Americans, I say good riddance to you and the horse you rode in on.