Larry King steps down

[classicman]

The longtime radio host was a pioneer in cable television. From the first show, on which he interviewed then-New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, King's desk was considered a valued spot for anyone interested in talking to the nation. King's interview style was plainspoken, and critics would suggest occasionally ill-prepared, but he was good at making his guests feel comfortable. King was a pioneer.

"He lured so many people to this new frontier of cable back before anybody understood what it was all about," said Klein, who called King a "living, breathing Hall of Famer who is still doing the work."

As cable news audiences gravitated toward politically pointed shows and newsmakers found many more outlets for interviews in recent years, King slipped in the ratings behind Fox News Channel and MSNBC - two networks that didn't exist when he first turned on his TV microphone. During his interview with Lady Gaga, the 76-year-old broadcast veteran had people wondering if he was really connecting with a pop star a half-century his junior.

King said he felt no pressure from CNN to leave. He said he began thinking about stepping down as a plane flew him home to Los Angeles from Akron, Ohio, where he interviewed James, and he reflected on his big-name guests of the week.

''I can't top this", King recalled in an interview Tuesday. "I'm tired of the nightly grind. I do want to do other things, but I want to stay at CNN in some way ... . There's a case of great mixed emotions."

King told his staff Tuesday during a conference call he referred to as "one of the saddest 10 minutes of my life."

King estimated he's conducted 50,000 interviews during a 53-year broadcasting career. He said he always tried to ask short questions and to never come in with an agenda, leaving his ego at the door.
King said if it were up to him, "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest would be the best choice to fill his shoes.

Link

I was never the biggest fan of Larry, but he certainly earned my respect for all that he accomplished. He was innovative and a pioneer in the cable industry.

[Shawnee123]

I love this clip of Larry and Jerry:

[TheMercenary]

About time he retired. I never grew to like his style. I did hear him in a good interview on NPR with Terry Gross. He wants Ryan Seacrest from American Idol to replace him.

[classicman]

Considering the replacements being discussed - this doesn't look very good for any type of newsworthy show. Seems like they are headed more for an Entertainment Tonight program to fill the time slot.

[classicman]

Then again...

British TV host Piers Morgan will take over Larry King's prime-time hour with "a candid, in-depth newsmaker interview program" starting in January, CNN announced Wednesday.

Morgan, best known to American viewers as a judge on NBC's "America's Got Talent," has most recently hosted "Piers Morgan's Life Stories" on television in the United Kingdom.

"Piers has made his name posing tough questions to public figures, holding them accountable for their words and deeds," said CNN-US President Jon Klein. "He is able to look at all aspects of the news with style and humor with an occasional good laugh in the process."

Morgan's show, which was not named in the CNN news release, will air live on CNN-US at 9 p.m. ET and will air worldwide on CNN-International in more than 200 countries, the network said. Morgan will be based in New York, but also will work from Los Angeles and London, CNN said.

King announced this summer that he was stepping aside from CNN's "Larry King Live," a show he began hosting in 1985.

"I have watched 'Larry King Live' for much of the last 25 years, and dreamed of one day filling the legendary suspenders of the man I consider to be the greatest TV interviewer of them all," Morgan said.

CNN