‘King Charles’ In Jeopardy: Charles Barkley Meets Failure and TNT Best Mate’s Bizarre Suggestion Might Not Help CNN Blockbuster

Trouble is brewing for Sir Charles at his other primetime gig. Despite his enthusiasm to work with Gayle King, Charles Barkley is unable to repeat the success of TNT at his new CNN show. After pinning their hopes on the unusual combination of the veteran journalist and the NBA legend, the network is reconsidering things.

Chuck is currently not far from the CNN HQ, celebrating his bestie, Ernie Johnson’s induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Johnson, with all his media savvy, had suggested an idea that could boost King Charles’ ratings. It may be too late though.

The King Charles premiere garnered a disappointing 500,000 viewers, the smallest audience for any CNN show this year. The second week hasn’t shown any improvement either. Ahead of the third episode, insiders reported that CNN has lost faith in the Barkley-King combination.

Their friendship of many years and chemistry is not translating to ratings. According to Ernie, the problem is in Chuck’s ‘exposing’ fashion tastes. “Here’s my one suggestion because I did watch King Charles the other night and thoroughly enjoyed it. But I think if you want ratings to go up, your socks need to go up,” Johnson said on the Steam Room.

The hardworking employees of TNT tend to hit Barkley below the belt and they did the same bringing up Barkley’s look from the premiere for Ernie to add, “Because this is not a good look, Chuckster. This low socks with those pants showing about 4 inches of skin. That is NOT a good look.”

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This is not as bizarre if you’ve watched Chuck and Ernie for years. They’ve been a winning combination even though Barkley’s been a sportcaster for only half of Johnson’s HoF-worthy career. Barkley once hinted that he’d consider moving to another show only if Ernie and the other Inside Guys were on it. Unfortunately, the King Charles combination is not thriving the same as Chuck & Ernie.

King Charles seems to be facing trouble behind the scenes

CNN is starting to see the King Charles duo splintering. While Gayle King is a serious journalist, Charles Barkley has established himself as bigger than a brand with his opinions. King reportedly wants to tame Chuck’s ramblings.

Insiders claim King has asked Barkley to read up on the topics and the producer’s notes of the show. Barkley though, wants to stay his unfiltered self even if his opinions are unsubstantiated.

This spells doom for King Charles and Barkley’s fledgling talk show career. It remains to be seen if King Charles works out in the long run or Chuck will stick with Ernie.

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