Larry King Deserves More Praise For Iconic Career

CLEVELAND - With a few bittersweet words and obviously suppressed tears, Larry King ended his venerable prime-time show last night after 25-plus years of historic interviews with major celebrities, politicians and everyone in between.

It was a moment of great significance and palpable emotion.

King, 77 hosted CNN's Larry King Live since 1985 and predictably became a ubiquitous staple of prime time cable television. On his swan song show last night, President Obama called him a giant in broadcasting, the most apropos and succinct evaluation of the man.

King had a reputation as an interviewer who asked too many simple, softball questions of his guests. He's most recently been labeled by critics and other observers as a has-been relic from a bygone era. Ratings for his show have been in decline for some time, which in part prompted King to announce his retirement in June as a pre-emptive strike over the powers that be at CNN.

Forget all of that. King never stopped being a pivotal conduit to pop culture and the major news events of our times. He interviewed every U.S. president since Richard Nixon, covered major celebrity stories such as the historic O.J. Simpson case and death of Anna Nicole Smith extensively as well as major news events such as the 2001 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Every night at 9PM EST, King was the man to see to be updated or informed on current events. I always thought of him as must-see TV whenever a news event occurred that I cared greatly about. Last year, King's coverage of the great Michael Jackson's death was what I was most interested in seeing from a journalist. He later broadcast live from Jackson's former storied estate Neverland with MJ's brother Jermaine. This year on the one year anniversary of Michael's death, King broadcast live from outside of MJ's burial site. As always, Larry King went a few steps further in his coverage of current events.

I wish more people besides his broadcasting peers realized his significance and gave him his just due. Not only did King host his show for 25 years, but his overall broadcasting career spans 50 total years. He was, in many ways a more journalistic Johnny Carson. Not nearly as funny or entertaining, but just as present in our homes and as trusted with the delivery of breaking news as was Walter Cronkite.

I was never a wearer of prescription eyeglasses and suspenders (both major King trademarks), but Larry King has inspired me for around 20 years. As an interviewer of people, I most admire his everyman style, i.e. asking major stars questions that the common man would. He wasn't trying to adhere to typical lines of questioning. He was, at his core a person who's curious as to how other people think.

I salute you, Mr. King. Journalism is forever indebted to you, sir. And so am I.

Despite Criticisms, New Michael Jackson Album Impressive

CLEVELAND - Anytime an artist of any kind is unable to finish a project of their own creating by virtue of their unexpected death, there's always a sense of what might have been mixed with a lot of frustration. Michael Jackson is now the latest creative genius this has happened to.

But the results, though not perfect, actually impress.

Today marks the release of Jackson's first full album of "new" material in nine years. Entitled Michael, the album has received the predicted amount of criticism, bashing and unacceptance by many in the media and more than a few fans, many of whom question if it's actually MJ's voice on the recordings or a bootleg impersonator. However, after a few careful listens, I can say with great confidence that it's indeed Michael...assisted (necessarily) by savvy studio production here and there, which surprisingly doesn't overshadow the soaring beauty of his vocals.

Of course, MJ was shockingly taken from us (his multi-millions of devoted fans) 18 months ago, so this album isn't truly Michael. He was famous for being a meticulous perfectionist with his art, so the cut-n-paste nature of this latest offering would surely gain his ire. That fact is sort of besides the point when evaluating this record. Comprised of 10 different songs recorded over a 28 year period, Michael has a few notable moments. The Akon duet "Hold My Hand" is a beautiful and uplifting song and finds MJ in excellent voice.

The cautionary tale "Hollywood Tonight" is also better than expected. "Keep Your Head Up" sounds a lot like the anthemic style songs from Jackson's 1991 album Dangerous but is still a great listen. On "(I Like) The Way You  Love Me," Michael's voice is pure elegance, his vocal delivery as soft as silk. "Monster," a track featuring 50 Cent is boisterous and aggressive and actually works well sandwiched between the ballads and slow tempo tracks.

Maybe my favorite track of all is "Behind the Mask," which was allegedly recorded during Michael's legendary Thriller era prime of the early 1980's. Whatever the case, it's an excellent track.

Yes, Michael made far better albums in his career than this, but understand that his two best, Off the Wall and Thriller were made before he'd set an impossible standard of greatness and unprecedented success for himself. Anything he made post 1983 would never be able to scale such a high and slippery mountain. Also, it must be remembered that the tracks on this new album were things he either purposely rejected many years ago or things that were still works in progress at the time of his death.

He didn't release this. His estate did.

When those factors are considered, it becomes a must to crown the new album as not only a success, but a delicious treat for his endless array of fans around the world who are grinning from ear to ear and dancing in the streets at the opportunity to hear our beloved hero one more time singing with that beautiful and indelible voice.

Much love, Michael.