CNN CEO Chris Licht announced over the weekend that left-wing network is launching a new show featuring former NBA star Charles Barkley and CBS host Gayle King.
The new one-hour program will reportedly launch this fall on Wednesday nights and will continue through 2024.
“I am thrilled to share that CNN will be home to a new show featuring the extraordinary duo of Gayle King and Charles Barkley, aptly titled King Charles, which will air weekly in primetime beginning this fall and running into 2024,” Licht said in a statement. “This show will be an exciting new way we are delivering culturally relevant programming and unique perspectives to our audience, from two incredibly dynamic personalities.”
“We are excited that they are both able to join us in addition to their current respective roles with Gayle continuing to anchor CBS Mornings,” he added. “King Charles exemplifies the one-team, one-company mentality with Charles playing double duty at CNN and in his role at WBD Sports.”
Barkley, who currently works as an NBA analyst, sat down with King on TNT’s NBA Tip-Off to discuss the new show.
“I want the show to be nonpolitical,” Barkley said. “We don’t want to say we’re a Liberal, Conservative, Republican, Democrat; that’s one of the things that’s already ruined television in general.”
“You know (Gayle King) is going to be a straight shooter,” he claimed. “I’m going to be a straight shooter. I know she’s going to be fair and honest and you know I’m going to do the same thing.”
King is a noted leftist who has vacationed with the Obamas.
“I think that decorum and courtesy and kindness always work,” King said. “But everybody I know has an opinion on something. We just need to figure out a way to have a good conversation without tearing each other down. And I think we can do that.”