Piers Morgan: I Want To Be Like Jon Stewart Or Bill O'Reilly

Piers Morgan is a polarizing figure and he seems pretty aware of it. On Friday, the CNN host said that he has 1.7 million Twitter followers and that "half of them hate me."

As divisive as he may be, Morgan was quite chipper when he sat down for lunch with a small group of journalists to discuss the first anniversary of his show "Piers Morgan Tonight." For everyone watching last January, the question seemed to be how Morgan would follow broadcasting legend Larry King's act.

The host is pretty confident that he's cleared the hurdle: he touted the fact that on average, his program was up in total viewers and viewers 25-54 as compared to King. Morgan also remarked, "I don't get asked about Larry King any more," explaining his belief that the show has come into its own.

Morgan hinted that the show would continue to do that, and alluded to some changes in the offing. Viewers of "Piers Morgan Tonight" can expect to see the addition of some regular segments —he mentioned Anderson Cooper's "Ridiculist" segment as an inspiration — and more of Morgan's personality, which he described as more mischievous, humorous and provocative than what they currently see.

The goal, according to Morgan, is to get "people to tune in every night for me," and make the show "less guest-dependent." He cited Jon Stewart and Bill O'Reilly as two models he looks to.

One piece of controversy that Morgan thinks has died down: the British phone hacking scandal. The former tabloid editor was the subject of speculation over his knowledge about phone hacking at the News of the World and the Daily Mirror, but believes that the scrutiny has largely passed since he testified at the Leveson inquiry. He speculated that "a few will be prosecuted" and that the tabloid press would reform its cozy relationship with politicians, but dismissed the rumors about him as an "unnecessary distraction."

His detractors have yet to nail him down, and there is no sign that Morgan is disappearing from screens any time soon. "[There are] only 24 years 'til I beat Larry," he said.

Also on HuffPost:

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Comments

[beinginformed]

10:02 PM on 01/17/2012

Piers Morgan doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up. Jon Stewart? Bill O'Reilly? A second rate interviewer? A talent contest judge? A tabloid editor? So hated in the UK for being a leader at three tabloids ending in total disgrace with fake photos of British soldiers in Afghanistan, he came over here to try and wash the stink from himself. I ask you, how can you be disgraced at a tabloid. Piers found a way. Anybody want their phone hacked? Piers is the one you need. Anyone believe that a person in authority at News of The World didn't have any idea what was going on? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL...ok, Mr. Teflon.

[Judith Mason]

08:15 PM on 01/17/2012

Larry King lasted 25 years. Such longevity is no more in today's disposable culture. King took risks by doing live programs that required nimble interviewing skills. Prima donna Piers takes no such risks. What we see in Piers (and others, too) is the latest in an inevitable series of interchangeable parts designed for short-term use and planned obsolescence. Despite his overconfident bombast, Piers is already wearing thin around the edges -- hence the reference to 'changes in the offing' and 'refocusing' attention on him rather than his guests. Jon Stewart is a comedian and satirist. He knows his job and his satisfied audience knows exactly what to expect. O'Reilly also knows his audience and what it expects from him -- a temperamental, loud, overwrought bully complete with red nose, shaking fists and exploding head. That's Fox News. Meanwhile, Piers and CNN fumble for his identity -- legitimate interviewer, expatriate tabloidist with odorous past, talent show judge, or combination carnival barker and snake oil salesman? His confused audience doesn't know either and will quickly get bored, jittery and start clicking the remote in search of satisfaction.

[bobdylansgrandmother]

02:55 AM on 01/17/2012

60 odd million people in the uk hate piers morgan and are glad so see the back of him... we can only apologise to you america. but, please..... don't send him back

[gaiangreentree]

08:08 PM on 01/16/2012

He lacks ethics, integrity, intelligence, discernment, style, purpose, wit, charm and humor, but otherwise... yeah sure... he could be Jon Stewart.

[gaiangreentree]

08:03 PM on 01/16/2012

He lacks ethics, integrity, talent, intelligence, style, purpose, wit and charm... otherwise sure... he is just exactly like Jon Stewart.

[Michael Doane]

04:54 PM on 01/16/2012

What I would tune in for would be Piers Morgan interviewing his cellmate.

[HippieChick]

12:57 PM on 01/16/2012

I actually become quite uncomfortable watching Morgan. Where Jon Stewart has demonstrated throughout the years that he can connect and be comfortable with ANY guest, every time I have seen Morgan he has demonstrated that there are no guests that he actually has an ability to connect with. He has an air of arrogance that is palpable and impenetrable.

[Json]

04:51 PM on 01/16/2012

With all due respect, Jon's interviewing was awful for many years. He is pretty good these days, but years ago the interviews often got very awkward and cringe-worthy.

(Look up his interview of John Cusack for an example.)

[abbadabba]

12:36 PM on 01/16/2012

Jon Stewart does not publish faked pics of British soldiers peeing on corpses. Jon Stewart does not listen to hacked voicemails and then refuse to say who let him do so. Jon Stewart does not trade stocks being promoted in the press by Piers staff for profit. Jon Stewart does not give Tony Blair blowjobs Jon Stewart is an artist. Piers Morgan is a con artist.

In your dreams, you hacking liar.

[rico 355]

12:25 PM on 01/16/2012

hush yourself piers morgan u will never become jon stewart NEVER!!!!!!!!!

[lioness39]

11:33 AM on 01/16/2012

Huh?

[henrypapillon]

10:43 AM on 01/16/2012

That's a pretty wide spread . "I want to be like John Stewart or Bill O'Reilly." If I can't be funny, I want to be able to scream at people and tell lies on national TV.

[MagicMaker]

09:08 AM on 01/16/2012

Piers, maybe you should try hacking into their voicemail accounts -- maybe you'll learn some secret input on achieving this lofty personal goal of yours!

[Bob Owen]

08:58 AM on 01/16/2012

That's a worthy goal, if there ever was one. Jon is an excellent person to be.

Becoming Jon Stewart would be too high a rung for Piers, he should try for something in his reach. Also, it's going to be awhile before we need another Jon Stewart, or a replacement for him.

Piers could become the next Larry King.

[henrypapillon]

10:43 AM on 01/16/2012

Start checking out the young babes now, Piers!

[offred]

08:51 AM on 01/16/2012

Morgan is neither smart enough nor funny enough to be another John Stewart.

Bill O'Reilly? Definitely.

Too bad there were no suitable Americans who were talented enough, intelligent enough, and experienced enough to fill Larry King's slot.

{snark}

HIRE AMERICAN!

[PollyTics]

06:31 AM on 01/16/2012

The very fact that Piers Morgan even can consider comparing himself to Jon Stewart is astounding. Does he ever watch his own show?