Piers Morgan is still feuding with Madonna

PASADENA, Calif. - Perhaps he was just trying to drum up some publicity for his new CNN show, but Piers Morgan ignited a feud with Madonna. A feud he has not intention of ending, apparently.

Morgan, who replaced Larry King on Monday, Jan. 17, said he was banning Madonna from "Piers Morgan Tonight." Her publicist released a statement that Madonna had never heard of Piers Morgan.

Ouch.

Not that Morgan would admit that Madonna got in a good shot.

"Well, I don't really care if she knows who I am," he said. "I've got a vague idea that she knows who I am. She's kind of been an irritant in my life for 20 years, so I had to ban her from the show. It's probably quite childish, but it made me feel better."

There is one thing that might get Madonna an invite to "Piers Morgan Tonight."

"A bended-knee apology on CNN might swing it," Morgan said. "Other than that, it's a lifetime ban."

And he reiterated his open invitation to Lady Gaga.

"Well, Lady Gaga is half her age, twice as good looking, twice as talented, and twice as hot," Morgan said. "I mean, why would I bother with Madonna? Seriously."

SCARY OMAROSA: Clearly, Morgan isn't afraid of much. But asked what he fears most, he mentioned his "Celebrity Apprentice" nemesis, Omarosa.

And, while it's been three years since that show aired, he still referred to her as "the world's most ridiculous creature."

"­Someone said the other day, 'Do you still wish her death?'" Morgan said. "And I said, 'No. I've gotten softer in my old age.'

'I would like to have her lowered in a boiling vat of sulfuric acid, where her remains are eaten by a large group of hungry tarantulas."

Gee, that sort of sounds like he still wants her dead, doesn't it?