Sean Borg Goes LA! » Piers Morgan’s Life Stories

Oprah Brings Out Piers Morgan’s Soft Side!

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 23:17:03 +0000

America caught its first glimpse of Piers Morgan as a serious journalist with the premiere of his new interview program Piers Morgan Tonight on CNN. Morgan has replaced the legendary Larry King, who hosted his flagship interview show Larry King Live for twenty-five years in what is now Morgan’s time slot.

American audiences mostly know the British personality from television competitions such as America’s Got Talent, on which Morgan is a talent judge, and Donald Trump’s The Celebrity Apprentice, which Morgan won in 2008. On the other side of the pond, however, Morgan is better known for his work in journalism after having worked his way up in the British press to host various news programs including his most recent television show Piers Morgan’s Life Stories on ITV.

It seems fitting that Morgan chose Oprah Winfrey to be his first interview guest to launch his new American show as Winfrey, probably the most famous interviewer in the world, ends her twenty-five year old sydicated talk show and launches her OWN cable television channel. Winfrey has also proven herself to be a big ratings draw as is indicated by the high ratings of Morgan’s first CNN outing with the queen of talk by his side.

Before Piers Morgan Tonight premiered on CNN, Morgan promoted himself as a merciless interviewer who cuts straight to the truth of his subjects, referencing his ability to even make Simon Cowell cry during an interview. However, Morgan did not exactly live up to his self-proclaimed hard-hitting image during his interview with Winfrey. Instead, he exhibited more humility and graciousness during the interview than is prescribed by his reputation. Between the moments of curiosity, determination, and fluffy humor, Morgan appeared to be slightly nervous, insecure, and humbled by the event. Morgan’s apprehensively lighthearted demeanor would be expected from most people conducting such an interview; however, it was a little surprising coming from the snappy Brit who has interviewed hundreds of celebrities over the years.

To his credit, Morgan’s interview with the most successful talk show host in history was ultimately sufficiently insightful. He questioned her about the death of her baby when she was 14 that sparked her thoughts of teen-suicide, her refusal to marry her long-term partner Stedman Graham, and he even had the cheek to ask her how much money she is worth. And yes, he did eventually manage to get Winfrey to become a little teary-eyed during their discussion of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Winfrey’s efforts in making King’s dreams for America come true.

In the end, Morgan simultaneously revealed his respect for Winfrey and his uncertainty about his own interviewing skills with his final question, which was “How have I done?” Winfrey answered with the less than confidence-building response, “surprising.”

Morgan’s upcoming guests include infamous radio talk show host Howard Stern, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and controversial British comedian Ricky Gervais. Good luck Piers!

Kylie Speaks Out about Minogue-Osbourne Feud!

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 21:54:04 +0000

The Minogue-Osbourne feud has truly turned into a family affair after Kylie Minogue has swooped in to protect her little sis’ Dannii.

The war between the two clans has also become very public after Sharon Osbourne talked about it on the TV show Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, Dannii referenced it in her new book My Story, Kelly Osbourne tweeted about it on Twitter, and now Kylie has spoken to the press regarding the dispute.

Expressing her feelings about the clash of the famous families to the The Sun, Kylie revealed: “I feel protective. Dannii is my little sister and I always feel the urge to get involved. But I’m reluctant to get dragged into this fresh hoo-ha.”

The Australian pop star added: “It’s such a small part of our lives now. I think it’s basically become a pantomime. But it was very real at the time Sharon and Dannii were both on [The X Factor].

We had the Osbournes and the Minogues kicking off. But I know Dannii wishes it would go away. Can we just get past this now? Come on! It’s a bit old and boring.”

I reckon Kylie’s goal of getting past the feud is a good one, but if Dannii truly wishes it would go away, then she shouldn’t have written about it in her ‘tell all’ book.

Still, I do hope the Minogues and the Osbournes work out their differences as both sides have their points. Good on Kylie for sticking up for her little sis’, there nothing like a bit of family support… Touché!

Kelly O: Dannii Minogue is “The Devil!”

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:36:23 +0000

As is to be expected, Kelly Osbourne is defending her mom (mum to our readers in the UK) Sharon by calling Dannii Minogue’s claim that Shazza is a bully false.

The feud between Minogue and mother Osbourne began when the Aussie singer worked with Sharon on The X Factor (UK) back in 2007. From early on, it was rumoured that, for various reasons, Dannii and Sharon did not see eye to eye. Shortly after Dannii joined the popular talent show, Sharon quit and was replaced by former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole.

In 2009, Sharon appeared on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories and admitted she in fact quit because of her contentious relationship with Dannii. In the interview Sharon said: “I didn’t enjoy working with [Dannii] at all and didn’t fancy the prospect of spending six months sitting next to her.”

In Dannii’s new autobiography, My Story to be released on September 30, regarding her interaction with Sharon on The X Factor, Kylie’s younger sister wrote: “About 30 minutes before the live broadcast, there was an urgent knock on my dressing room door, and in bowled Sharon… Sharon demanded to know why I hadn’t gone to the press to tell them what a nice person she was… The minute she left, I burst into tears. I’d managed to hold it together while Sharon had been there, but once she’d gone I couldn’t hold it in, and I wept into my hands.”

In response to Dannii’s story, Kelly tweeted: “the best thing to happen to dannii’s career was that my mother hated her[.] she needs to shut her mouth and concenterate on motherhood! i will be the first one to admit that my mother did not play her cards right when came to dannii but trust me when i say dannii is the devil[.]”

Kel added: “Dannii you are so lucky that i respect simon enough to not tell the truth about what really happened. wa wa wa you poor middle aged victum. to the 12 dannii fans out there i ask you this question what would you do if someone wrote a book of lies about your mother? sorry i have just had to deal with this bullshit 4 years and i have kept my mouth shut but i am sick and tired of her lies enough is enough. i think you all forget i was there i saw everything and if my mum was the “bully” why was she the one [who] left [The X Factor]?”

Harsh words Kel!!! I know you’re defending your mum, but it’s a good thing you’ve been hanging out with the Pussycat Dolls, because it looks like you have a severe cat fight on your hands.

I say, let the bitchfest begin, meow!

Piers Morgan Officially Replacing Larry King on CNN!

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:06:42 +0000

The new King of CNN has been crowned!

After months of speculation, Cable News Network (CNN) has finally officially confirmed that Brit telly presenter Piers Morgan will host a new programme to replace flagship interview show Larry King Live, after Larry King himself retires in late December, 2010. Morgan recently described Mr. King’s job, which Morgan will take over, as “the greatest interview job in the world.”

The title of Morgan’s new series has not been confirmed, but the programme will commence in January and air Mondays through Fridays at 9 PM. The show will also reportedly air worldwide on CNN-International in over 200 countries.

Morgan will continue to judge talent competition America’s Got Talent on NBC and to host the ITV programme Piers Morgan’s Life Stories; however, his future as judge of Britain’s Got Talent is unclear.

To American audiences, Piers is primarily known as a talent show judge and reality TV star (from when he won Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice), so it will be interesting to see how Americans respond to him as a serious interview journalist. Congratulations and good luck Piers!

Piers Morgan to Replace Larry King on CNN?!?!

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:47:49 +0000

Piers Morgan has reportedly signed a £5.5 million deal with US cable television news channel CNN to replace renowned talkshow host Larry King, who will be retiring in a few months. Apparently executives at CNN are fans of Piers Morgan’s Life Stories on ITV. US broadcast television network NBC, home of America’s Got Talent on which Morgan is a judge, is rumored to have agreed to share him with CNN. It is not clear whether Morgan will continue as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent.

First Simon Fuller and Simon Cowell captivated America with American Idol and now Piers will be replacing one of the highest profile talk shows in the United States – the Brits really are taking over American telly! Congratulations Piers!