CNN Cancels Plan for Gore to Host ‘King’

CNN changed its mind about having Vice President Al Gore host its “Larry King Live” program just hours before the show aired Thursday night, instead scheduling him as a guest.

CNN Executive Producer Wendy Whitworth had approached Gore last weekend to see if he was interested in hosting the show for an evening to discuss the shootings in Littleton, Colo., and the tornadoes in the Midwest.

Gore agreed, but the network changed its mind Thursday afternoon.

“After taking a long hard look at the political calendar, we decided it was too close to the 2000 election to have a presidential contender as an interviewer, not interviewee,” King said at the opening of the show. “The vice president has graciously agreed to give me back my microphone.”

Gore said he was just pleased to be there, in any role.

“Thank you for having me on, whether it’s on this side of the table or the other side of the table,” he told King.

CNN would not say whether its decision was prompted by complaints from several prominent Republicans, including Jim Nicholson, chairman of the Republican National Committee.

In a letter addressed to King and faxed Thursday afternoon, Nicholson expressed concern about Gore’s appearance on a show without any Republican representation.

Chris Lehane, a Gore spokesman, said the vice president had no problem changing hats.

Gore, who earlier in the day toured the tornado damage in Kansas, spoke briefly on the show about what he witnessed. Most of the program, however, was devoted to the Littleton shootings.