Just hours after her dramatic interview with R. Kelly aired, journalist Gayle King is renegotiating her contract with CBS. And while Kelly is out getting arrested again, King is looking to get PAID. Her contract with CBS is up this year and she has reportedly asked for “George Stephanopoulos money” to stay with the network, according to Page Six.
King is, of course, referring to ABC personality George Stephanopoulos, whose contract renegotiations made headlines around the world. The Good Morning America anchor reportedly received between $15 and $18 million to stay with ABC when he re-upped his contract. King currently makes $6 million a year.
King’s got a pretty compelling argument on her side, even without her ridiculously poised demeanor in the R. Kelly interview. Apparently, she is she seen as the lynchpin holding the entire CBS This Morning operation together. Not only that but, there are indications that her co-host, Norah O’Donnell, could exit the show soon. The prevailing rumor is that CBS is looking to boot Jeff Glor from CBS Evening News and give that slot to O’Donnell.
Amid negotiations, the praise for King on her R. Kelly interview has prompted CBS to devote a special to the report on Friday night. CBS News will air The Gayle King Interview with R. Kelly, which will feature the titular interview as well as King’s interviews with two women who live with Kelly, Azriel Clary and Joycelyn Savage. The special will also feature previously unaired footage from King’s sitdown with the musician.
