Piers Morgan kicked off his fall with a Twitter message of goodbye to the network he has called home for the last three years. The interviewer has left CNN.
The British journalist tweeted on Tuesday that he was offered a new contract by boss Jeff Zucker, but he declined to renew his status there.
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BREAKING NEWS: I am no longer a @CNN employee.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 2, 2014
I was offered a new 2-year deal by @CNN boss Jeff Zucker to host 40 big interview 'specials'.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 2, 2014
But after considerable thought, I decided not to accept it – and to try pastures new.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 2, 2014
I had a fantastic time in my 4 years @CNN and have huge respect for Jeff & all the people who work there. Great company, great network.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 2, 2014
Even though his show ended in March, Morgan was still under contract with CNN. He had to wait out his time before he could become a free agent. So while his tweets were very friendly toward his old home, he was really announcing that he was able to take offers from other networks.
The newsman replaced outgoing veteran Larry King in 2011, but he never had the success in the time slot that King had. His show continually lagged in the ratings behind other networks like MSNBC and Fox News.
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He told The New York Times that he didn’t feel like he was being his genuine self on the show.
“I think I can credibly do news and the ratings reflect that, but it is not really the show that I set out to do,” Morgan admitted. “I’d like to do work — interviews with big celebrities and powerful people — that is better suited to what I do well and fit with what Jeff is trying to do with the network.”
Morgan fought the NRA relentlessly about gun control during his time on CNN. In his parting tweets, he led his followers to a YouTube video and his volatile interview with gun advocate and conservative radio host Alex Jones. During the heated exchange, Jones offered up a petition to have Morgan deported back to England, which the White House eventually rejected.
If I'm to be remembered for anything @CNN – I'd like it to be this: https://t.co/HptrYz9swr
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 2, 2014
In the end, it seems Morgan had the last word.
I wouldn't crack the champagne open too quickly though, @NRA – I haven't finished with you lot yet.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 2, 2014
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