Broadcasting Legend Larry King Dead at 87
One of the coolest experiences I’ve had was the opportunity to meet Larry King, and sit in the studio for Larry King Live. I always loved the set design, with the colored dot map of the world in the background, and his vintage RCA microphone. I learned when I was there that the microphone was merely a prop, as King and his guests used lapel microphones.
I always imagined the studio to be larger than it was. In fact, it was surprisingly small. Just a small room, with Larry’s desk, some lights and cameras, and two folding chairs just inside the studio door. The guest that night was Ben Stein, who I had met before when he spoke at an event in Michigan. That part alone was pretty cool – sitting next to Ben Stein in folding chairs, talking with the economics teacher (Ferris Bueller fans will understand the reference) on the set of the Larry King Live show.
Larry was incredibly gracious. We took lots of pictures, and he even gave me an autographed set of suspenders. I asked so many questions, which was funny to me, because he’s usually the one asking the questions! He told me Frank Sinatra was his favorite interview, because (1) he idolized him as a kid, and (2) he didn’t do interviews. (He agreed to the interview with Larry as a favor to their mutual friend, Jackie Gleason.) He spoke of the U.S. presidents he interviewed (his favorite was Clinton), and how awe-inspiring it was to visit the White House.
I wanted to meet Larry King because he was the best at what he did. I remember reading in his book, “How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere,” how he made a commitment to himself that he was going to improve his ability to talk by working hard at it. Even after he was established in the business, he constantly worked to improve.
Larry King was the epitome of excellence in his field. He was a good man, and a legend in his profession.
