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| Larry King, host of the In View series, interviews U.S. President Barack Obama. |
Larry King’s
Impact on Television
One of the longest-running television shows in modern
memory is
Larry King Live, an
interview series hosted by King himself. For 25 years, it was a staple on the
cable network, CNN, and it boasted millions of annual viewers. While King, who
now hosts the
In View series, a cable TV program distributed across America,
himself is not a perfect individual, he certainly perfected his interviewing
style. His easy-going and joking nature made his guests feel comfortable to
speak their mind, which sometimes created a little bit of extra entertainment
for his viewers.
Interviewing
Anyone and Everyone
In the beginning, when King first started his career in
show business with a Miami radio station, he was reported to have interviewed
anyone who walked into his recording studio. It did not matter how humble or
exalted a person was, King made it clear he wanted to know what they had to
say. This method of showing genuine interest was most likely one of the reasons
CNN offered him his own interviewing show in 1985.
Well Known and
Controversial Guests
During his more than 25 years behind the interview desk,
King talked with dignitaries, popular icons, rock stars, religious leaders, and
movie stars. President Barack Obama has even been interviewed by the TV legend.
The show became a popular way to address hot button topics and issues in a
fairly non-partisan setting, with King himself asking open ended questions,
rather than leading questions. Although King has retired from his show, his
influence remains in TV.
