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.
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