CNN’s Larry King hangs up his suspenders, final show Thursday evening
Posted December 16, 2010 10:25 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NEW YORK, N.Y. – CNN’s Larry King said goodbye in style Thursday evening, featuring a number of special guests on the final episode of Larry King Live, a network staple for 25 years.
King announced he would be putting an end to his record-breaking run in June, with British TV personality and America’s Got Talent judge Piers Morgan to replace him in January.
The 53-year broadcasting veteran was joined by Ryan Seacrest, Bill Maher and Arnold Schwarzenegger, with the California Governor declaring Thursday as “Larry King Day” in Los Angeles.
King even got a greeting from the current president.
“You say that all you do is ask questions, but for generations of Americans, the answers to those questions have surprised us, they’ve informed us and they’ve opened our eyes to the world beyond our living rooms,” said President Barack Obama. “Thank you Larry, and best of luck.”
King began his career in the 1950’s as a local journalist and radio personality in Florida, becoming an all night host on national radio in 1978. “Larry King Live” began on CNN in 1985.
Major highlights of his CNN career include covering the police pursuit of O.J. Simpson in a white Ford Bronco on a Los Angeles freeway in 1994, bringing world leaders from the Mid-East together to speak with one another live on television, and kissing actor and film director Marlon Brando on the lips.
King has conducted an estimated 50,000 interviews on 6,120 shows. He has earned numerous awards, including an Emmy.
As he closed his final show Thursday evening, he struggled to find the words.
“I don’t know what to say except to you, my audience, thank you, and instead of goodbye, how about so long.”
