It's official: Piers Morgan is the new Larry King

Piers Morgan will take over for Larry King in the new year as CNN's evening interviewer, the network announced Wednesday, surprising just about nobody with the news after months of speculation about who might take the chair.

Best known in the U.S. as a judge on "America's Got Talent" and winner of "Celebrity Apprentice," the former tabloid newsman has also done a British interview series for the iTV network.

Morgan departs slightly from the King model when it comes to his personal life: He's on only his second wife, Celia Walden, who at 33 is a mere 11 years her husband's junior. King's current wife, Shawn Southwick, is the host's seventh spouse in eight marriages, clocking in 26 years younger than her 76-year-old hubby.

King announced his departure plans in June.

Will you watch?

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Piers Morgan and Paris Hilton at the celebutante's most recent fragrance launch party, held Aug. 10, 2010, in Los Angeles. Credit: Jason Merritt / Getty Images

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Larry King and Ryan Seacrest brutalize Lady Gaga

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Comments

[SoCalGal]

Well, I enjoy Piers on America’s Got Talent, but if his tabloid background rears its ugly head, I won’t watch. I’m sick of the tabloidization of American television. British news “talent” has done serious damage to journalism both here and abroad. Morgan used to work for the sickest mind in news, Rupert Murdoch. Morgan would do well to forget he ever knew Frupert Murdork, the most evil man in journalism. Now’s the time to reclaim actual skills in interviewing by treating each subject with charity, humanity and decency. After all, first and foremost they’re human beings.

[Robert Lowry]

A BRIT? What will middle America think? Is that noise I hear, the audience moving elsewhere?

[Dninc]

Glad i stopped watchin Larry King 10 years ago, the Show is going down hill and this replacement pretty much sum's it up.

[Gin Blue]

Couldn't they find any US citizens to take the job?

I'm not interested in watching him interview anyone.

[Eve]

So, according to this photo, I'd say Paris is...what, 'bout 14 - 16 weeks gestation maybe?

Ok, on an average woman the belly would be normal.
But this is Paris Hilton!

How could she be seen in public looking like that???

lol

[The Obvious Truth]

NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SERIOUSLY. THEY'VE GOT TO BE JOKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8O

It ISN'T funny...