CNN anchor John King's "magic wall" sent him over the edge when his beloved touch screen jammed.
The DC-based anchor had a meltdown while anchoring his 7 p.m. show, "John King USA," from CNN's New York studio just days before the midterm elections.
After a slew of technical and editorial errors, King lost his cool when his signature and somewhat overworked touch screen malfunctioned.
"I wish I brought a gun to work," King yelled at studio operators on Oct. 29, according to several CNN sources.
According to a source, Turner Broadcasting System CEO and chairman Phil Kent called King into his office to reprimand him. "Phil has always been a huge fan of King and has always protected him when people were tired of his hothead antics, so this is a blow to him," the insider said.
A CNN rep didn't deny King's onset meltdown, but denied that King was called into a meeting with Kent over it. The rep said, "There are always frustrations -- it's live TV -- but this is not an accurate portrayal."
King made the "magic wall" his trademark after introducing it for CNN's 2008 election coverage. The Washington Post has ridiculed him for "poking, touching and waving at the screen like an over-caffeinated traffic cop," and he's also been spoofed by Fred Armisen on "Saturday Night Live."
Insiders say King has been under pressure since CNN Worldwide President Jim Walton visited the DC bureau in August with an ultimatum: Bring in higher ratings or the show will be killed by spring.
Sources said Walton also spoke with Wolf Blitzer, who anchors "The Situation Room" before King's show. One source said, "Jim laid down the line. He told them, 'Election season is the time we should be picking up in the ratings, and I expect more.' " A CNN rep denies that either meeting took place.
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