Piers Morgan Uncensored
GenreTalk show
Directed byErron Gordon[1]
Presented byPiers Morgan
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes198 (as of 6 March 2023)
Production
Production locations
  • Ealing Broadcast Centre (25 April 2022 – 14 April 2023)
  • The News Building (17 April 2023 – Present )
Running time60 minutes (including commercials)

120 minutes (Special episode including commercials)

198 minutes (Queens Death Announcement Live Coverage Special with no commercials)
Original release
Network
Release25 April 2022 (2022-04-25) –
present

Piers Morgan Uncensored is a television programme presented by Piers Morgan.[2] It has been broadcast on TalkTV weeknights at 8 pm in the UK since 25 April 2022.[3] It is also broadcast internationally by Sky News Australia in Australia and Fox Nation in the United States, which are both owned by subsidiaries or affiliates of TalkTV's parent company News Corp (News Corp Australia and Fox Corporation).[4]

Show content is also available as an Acast podcast[5] and as YouTube videos.[6]

History

Morgan left Good Morning Britain and ITV in March 2021 following a controversy over his remarks about Oprah with Meghan and Harry, which included a heated on-air argument with Alex Beresford.[7]

On 16 September 2021, News UK announced its new channel TalkTV would launch in 2022, with Morgan being the first name signed up.[8] The show made its debut on 25 April 2022.[9] The opening two editions of the programme featured a two-part interview with former US President Donald Trump.[10]

On 6 June 2022, TalkTV aired a two-hour special of the show to cover that day's Conservative Party vote of confidence in the leadership of Boris Johnson.[11] Extended versions of the programme were also aired in July 2022 as the government crisis unfolded, leading to the resignation of Johnson.[12]

The 25 July 2022 edition of the show began three days of editions covering Morgan's visit to Ukraine, where he was invited by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska to host her second Kyiv Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen.[13] Morgan also recorded an hour-long interview with President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife First Lady Olena Zelenska, the first interview the couple have given to international television, and which was broadcast on 27 July.[14]

A three-hour special edition was aired on the evening of 8 September 2022, shortly after the announcement of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, reflecting on the Queen's life following the breaking news.[15] A two-hour special edition was aired on the evening following the state funeral of Elizabeth II on 19 September 2022.[16]

Morgan filming his interview with Rishi Sunak for an episode of the show

In February 2023, Morgan recorded an interview with Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at 10 Downing Street in which Sunak said that he would publish his tax returns.[17] The interview, which aired on 2 February, gave the show an average audience of 120,500, and putting TalkTV ahead of its main rivals on BBC News, Sky News and GB News during the 8.00–9.00pm timeslot.[18] In September 2023, Morgan recorded a one-hour interview with Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Association, following controversy after he kissed Spanish women's football player Jenni Hermoso at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final. Writing in The Guardian, Suzanne Wrack described Morgan's line of questioning as weak.[19]

Criticism

Morgan faced criticism after comments made on the 18 January edition of his show about Madonna ahead of the Celebration Tour, her 40th anniversary world tour. Morgan criticised the singer for "the whole trying to be a sex kitten thing when you're in your sixties" and suggested she should be "put out to pasture". One viewer subsequently wrote on Twitter: "I think Piers should cover up his mouth, forget about whether older women should cover up their bodies."[20]

Guest presenters

In July 2022 it was announced that Jeremy Kyle would take over as a stand-in presenter from 1 August to 5 September while Piers Morgan was on holiday.[21]

On 21 October it was announced that Conservative MP Nadine Dorries would guest present two editions of Piers Morgan Uncensored on 24 and 25 October to coincide with the Conservative Party leadership election, and that she would be joined by Emily Sheffield, former editor of the London Evening Standard.[22] Dorries' poor reception as a presenter prompted Steph McGovern to describe the show as "Piers Morgan Unwatched" while presenting the 28 October 2022 edition of BBC One's Have I Got News for You. Responding on Twitter the following day, Morgan posted a link to a Sun article that reported her own show, Steph's Packed Lunch had recorded zero viewers when it was launched in 2020 along with the comment: "Hear you were gobbing off about my @PiersUncensored ratings on #HIGFY last night @StephLunch – you sure you’re the best person to do that?".[23]

Production

Piers Morgan Uncensored first aired from a purpose-built[24] studio within the Ealing Broadcast Centre[25][26] in Ealing, West London,[27][28] a for-hire facility built in 2021 by Timeline Television Ltd.[29][30][31][32] In April 2023 Piers Morgan Uncensored moved to a new studio within The News Building at London Bridge, along with Jeremy Kyle Live, which had also been previously produced at Ealing.[33][34]

Reception

Overnight viewing figures indicated that the first edition of Piers Morgan Uncensored was watched by 317,000 viewers.[35] The next week's Monday edition, aired on 2 May 2022, fell further, with an average audience of 62,000. Morgan's YouTube channel's show episodes reported around 10,000 views.[6] The programme has experienced a decline in viewers since its opening week, with the 18 May 2022 edition reported to have attracted 10,000 viewers.[36]

On 8 August 2022, the Daily Telegraph reported that Piers Morgan Uncensored attracted an average audience of 33,900 for the edition broadcast on 28 July.[37]

On 20 April 2023, Piers Morgan Uncensored's YouTube channel reached one million subscribers.[38]

Awards

Piers Morgan Uncensored won the 2022 Sports Journalists' Association Scoop of the year award for an episode that aired on 16–17 November 2022 with Morgan interviewing Portuguese association footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who at the time played for Manchester United F.C.[39][40][41]

During the interview Ronaldo was critical of the club, felt that he was betrayed, had no respect for manager Erik ten Hag, and accused it of showing a lack of empathy when his young son died. Manchester United said it had "noted the media coverage" and will consider its response after the full facts have been established.[42][43][44][45] Following the interview, which aired in two parts on 16 and 17 November, United began seeking "appropriate steps", a legal action over whether Ronaldo had breached his contract.[46][47] It was subsequently announced on 22 November that Ronaldo had left the club following the interview.[48][49]

In May 2023 the programme was also shortlisted for the 2023 National Television Awards in the TV interview category.[50]

In June 2023, Piers Morgan won the TRIC award for the Interview of The Year award for the same interview in November 2022.[51]

References

  1. ↑ "Erron Gordon". News UK. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  2. ↑ "TalkTV briefing: Everything you need to know ahead of 25 April launch". Press Gazette. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  3. ↑ Burrell, Ian (11 April 2022). "Piers Morgan Uncensored: How TalkTV is planning to make its new flagship show a success". i. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  4. ↑ "TALK TV LAUNCHES 7PM, MONDAY 25 APRIL: FULL SCHEDULE DETAILS ANNOUNCED". News UK. 14 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  5. ↑ "Piers Morgan Uncensored". shows.acast.com. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  6. 1 2 Waterson, Jim (4 May 2022). "Piers Morgan ratings dive as talkTV struggles to attract viewers". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  7. ↑ "Piers Morgan stands by Meghan criticism after Good Morning Britain exit". BBC News. 10 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  8. ↑ Robertson, Chris (16 September 2021). "Piers Morgan joining new channel talkTV where he will present 'global show'". Sky News. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  9. ↑ Nugent, Annabel (26 April 2022). "Piers Morgan's talk show trumps rivals with nearly 400,000 viewers tuning in". The Independent. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  10. ↑ Henry, Grace (27 April 2022). "Piers Morgan Uncensored: How to watch Donald Trump interview on TalkTV". Radio Times. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  11. ↑ Manning, Charlotte (6 June 2022). "Piers Morgan slams Boris Johnson for 'ruining' Platinum Jubilee with vote". Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  12. ↑ Yeates, Cydney (5 July 2022). "Piers Morgan blasts 'shameful' Boris Johnson for clinging onto leadership". Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  13. ↑ Griffin, Louise (24 July 2022). "Piers Morgan hosts First Lady of Ukraine's summit in Kyiv". Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  14. ↑ Smith, Steven (25 July 2022). "Rare interview with Volodymyr Zelensky and Olena Zelenska to broadcast this week". WalesOnline. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  15. ↑ LIVE: Remembering HM Queen Elizabeth II | Piers Morgan Uncensored | 08-Sep-22, retrieved 6 March 2023
  16. ↑ Ponsford, Dominic (16 September 2022). "Queen's funeral on TV: Full details from BBC, Sky, ITV and GB News". Press Gazette. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  17. ↑ "Rishi Sunak says he'll release tax return soon in Piers Morgan interview". BBC News. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  18. ↑ Turvill, William (3 February 2023). "Piers Morgan's Rishi Sunak interview drags TalkTV ratings above BBC News, Sky News and GB News". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  19. ↑ Wrack, Suzanne (12 September 2023). "Piers Morgan's weak line of questioning allowed Rubiales to appear reasonable". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  20. ↑ "Piers Morgan criticised for 'misogynistic' comments made about Madonna". The Independent. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  21. ↑ "Jeremy Kyle takes on Piers Morgan's TalkRadio show during August". 29 July 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  22. ↑ "Nadine Dorries to stand in for Piers Morgan on TalkTV show". the Guardian. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  23. ↑ "Piers Morgan Blasts Steph McGovern For 'Gobbing Off' About His TalkTV Ratings On Have I Got News For You". HuffPost UK. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  24. ↑ Tobitt, Charlotte (7 April 2022). "Piers Morgan TalkTV studio: Purpose-built studio needed to house show". Press Gazette. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  25. ↑ "Timeline Ealing Broadcast Centre". The Studio Map. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  26. ↑ "Timeline unveils Ealing broadcast centre". Televisual. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  27. ↑ Davies, Rachael (21 April 2022). "Piers Morgan Uncensored: Piers Morgan launches new show with a Trump interview on TalkTV". Edinburgh News. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  28. ↑ "Timeline Ealing". Timeline Television Ltd. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  29. ↑ Swinhoe, Dan (14 December 2021). "Timeline Television opens broadcast studio & data center in London". Data Centre Dynamics. London. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  30. ↑ "Ealing Studios". TV Studio History. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  31. ↑ Fox, David. "How We Built It: Timeline's Ealing Broadcast Centre". IBC. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  32. ↑ "Timeline launches new Ealing Broadcast Centre". Timeline Television Ltd. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  33. ↑ Turvill, William (5 December 2022). "TalkTV to move Piers Morgan and Jeremy Kyle shows from Ealing to London Bridge HQ". Press Gazette. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  34. ↑ "New TalkTV Studios (2023)". TV Newsroom. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  35. ↑ "Talk TV: Piers Morgan attracts mixed reviews after network launch". BBC News. 26 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  36. ↑ Manning, Charlotte (19 May 2022). "Piers Morgan's ratings plummet to lowest yet as latest episode ends on 10,000". Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  37. ↑ Woods, Ben (8 August 2022). "GB News beats TalkTV to Virgin Media channel slot". The Telegraph.
  38. ↑ Darcy, Libby (20 April 2023). "TalkTV's Piers Morgan Uncensored Hits 1 Million Subscribers on YouTube". News UK. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  39. ↑ "2022 British Sports Journalism Awards". Sports Journalists' Association. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  40. ↑ "Piers Morgan wins "Scoop of the Year" prize for interviewing Cristiano Ronaldo| All Football". AllfootballOfficial. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  41. ↑ Garganese, Carlo (7 March 2023). "Cristiano Ronaldo wins another award at Man Utd". www.footballtransfers.com. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  42. ↑ "Cristiano Ronaldo: Manchester United forward says he feels 'betrayed' and has 'no respect' for Erik ten Hag". Sky Sports. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  43. ↑ Soutar, Jason (14 November 2022). "Manchester United issue 53-word statement on controversial Cristiano Ronaldo interview". Football365. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  44. ↑ Stone, Simon. "Ronaldo says he feels 'betrayed' by Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  45. ↑ Rai, Pandey, Pria, Manish (17 November 2022). "Cristiano Ronaldo: Piers Morgan says player 'happy' with interview". BBC News. Retrieved 22 November 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  46. ↑ Jackson, Jamie (18 November 2022). "Manchester United explore legal action as they look to force Ronaldo exit". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  47. ↑ "Cristiano Ronaldo: Manchester United exploring ways to terminate contract". Sky Sports. 19 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  48. ↑ Jackson, Jamie (22 November 2022). "Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United with immediate effect". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  49. ↑ Smith, Joshua (22 November 2022). "Piers Morgan reacts as Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Manchester United". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  50. ↑ Darcy, Libby (23 May 2023). "Piers Morgan Uncensored shortlisted at National Television Awards". News UK. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  51. ↑ Clark, Meredith (28 June 2023). "Piers Morgan 'thanks' Meghan Markle after winning Interview of the Year award: 'I wouldn't be standing here'". The Independent. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
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