Piers Morgan: 'CNN needs to be more provocative'

Piers Morgan has suggested that CNN hosts should be more provocative in order to boost ratings.

The Piers Morgan Tonight anchor spoke about his vision for cable news to The Hollywood Reporter, where he said some networks are too quick to shy away from controversy.



"There has been a slight timidity internally in not wanting to be provocative or opinionated on air because you could stray into being partisan," Morgan explained. "If the anchor has taken a position on gun control or abortion, somehow you're losing that neutrality. I don't agree."

He continued: "I have become increasingly vocal on my show about these very issues, totally unafraid to say what I think. It's actually better television if a host says, 'You know what I think about abortion? I think it should be down to the women'.

"What I won't say is if I'm going to vote for Obama or Romney. The beauty for me is [being British], I can't."

Morgan also opened up about his friendship with frequent Piers Morgan Tonight guest Donald Trump, who has made controversial comments about US President Barack Obama in the past.



"He's the personification of brash, successful America incorporated," Morgan said. "The guy, whether you like him or not, is a brilliant self-publicist, a brilliant businessman.

"He's a billionaire; he's very proud of his country. Now I don't think everything he does is necessarily a good idea. I'm sure he doesn't think everything I do is a good idea."

Morgan recently made headlines for banning Kelsey Grammer from his CNN series after Grammer walked out of a scheduled interview.

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