Larry King Wants to Pass Torch to Ryan Seacrest

Entertainment Tonight, Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 10:39pm (PDT)

With Larry King announcing his departure from "Larry King Live," resumes are surely to be flooding into the CNN offices for the vacant seat. The retiring host told guest Bill Maher on Tuesday's show that he hopes Ryan Seacrest's name is in the mix.

Upon being prompted by Maher to come forth with a recommended successor, King replied, "I can't be objective because I don't know his feelings, his interest in politics. But Ryan Seacrest … He is curious. He is interesting. He is likable."

King did stress his concern that he was unsure where Seacrest stands in political awareness. The "Larry King Live" show welcomes guests from all sorts of headlines, political and entertainment. "If he has a great interest in politics, I would recommend him," asserted King.

The "American Idol" host sent King a message via Twitter, commending, "You're a legend. One of a kind."

Leading up to King's big announcement on Tuesday, there was chatter that "America's Got Talent" judge Piers Morgan would inherit the prime hosting gig.

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