Charles Barkley flew from Atlanta to New York for his new show, and his frenemy still wouldn’t let him have a peaceful moment in the spotlight. The NBA analyst stepped up as a talk show host on CNN’s prime-time slot with the premiere of King Charles. They debuted a special segment just for Chuck. Only fitting that Shaq would inaugurate it with some trademark ribbing.

A day ago, Barkley was campaigning for Shaquille O’Neal to be replaced on TNT. That’s just how these guys express their affection for each other.

Shaquille O’Neal loves Charles Barkley in his own way

King Charles premiered on CNN this Wednesday with its illustrious headliners, Gayle King and Charles Barkley. It’s a combination we didn’t know we needed. But, be honest, we all questioned how did it happen.

The premiere episode also opened a segment where fans can leave a message for the one and only Round Mound of Rebound. Opening this segment was a mystery caller. “Hey Gayle. It’s Shaq here, from Atlanta,” the mystery caller opened.

That was really Shaquille O’Neal, Barkley’s co-analyst on TNT who films Inside the NBA in Atlanta, Georgia. King Charles records in CNN’s New York HQ.

O’Neal’s message further said, “I’m just wondering why a smart, sophisticated person like yourself would agree to sit next to a dummy like Chuck all alone for an hour every week. Anyway, let me know Gayle. Love you. Bye Bye.” 

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No direct message to Barkley. But his best mate could read between the lines. King said that the message translated to good luck from Shaq and Chuck agreed.

The Shaq-Chuck bromance

Despite that petty message, Barkley was touched by O’Neal’s gesture. He reciprocated it with, “I love you too, Big.” He added, “That was really cool of him to take the time. I mean, ain’t like he’s doing anything. We only work one day a week.” 

And Shaq was MIA for that day in the studio. Instead, he was doing color commentary at the Miami-Milwaukee game. WNBA champion, Candace Parker subbed in for him at the TNT studio. Barkley was hyping her that, “You’re so much more beautiful than Shaq.” He was hoping TNT would fire Shaq and make Parker permanent. O’Neal just returned the favor through Gayle.

Barkley still endearingly said, “I love the big fellow. You know I got a lot of love for him [O’Neal], Ernie [Johnson], and Kenny [Smith].” He and King would answer Shaq’s question that they only agreed to host the show because they wanted to work together. So which of Chuck’s co-hosts look good with him?

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