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.