TVNewser was there as CNN’s Piers Morgan experimented with a live studio audience for his show last night.
“We’re always trying new things,” EP Jonathan Wald told TVNewser of the 3-and-a-half week old show. “A studio audience is something we’ve always planned on, and we love the energy and excitement it brings.”
In addition to the 50 or so people in the audience, 1.084M watched at home, enough to edge out MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show” for second place in total viewers (1.076M). Maddow was second in younger viewers (282K v. 246K). FNC’s “Hannity” continues to be the #1 show at 9pmET.
“It always brings an extra crackle and sizzle to an interview, if you have the right guest,” Morgan tells us of the experience. “You need someone who won’t be intimidated by an audience, and that charge could certainly never be leveled at Donald Trump.”
In 2008, it was Morgan on Trump’s turf, chosen as the first “Celebrity Apprentice.” By the end of last night’s show, Morgan stole Trump’s line telling him, “You’re fired.” The two also talked about the news of the day including the downfall of Rep. Chris Lee (R-NY) which broke just before the show. The Gawker writer who broke the news — Maureen O’Connor — was also on.
“I loved the energy of the show last night,” Morgan told us today via email. “And we’ll be doing more live audience shows on a regular basis.”