On Tuesday evening, TV broadcasting legend Larry King dropped a bombshell: after 25 years of hosting the 'Larry King Live' show on CNN, his nightly show will end this fall. King made the surprising announcement via his Twitter account right before he taped this evening's show. "Announcing tonight: I'm ending my nightly show this fall but continuing at CNN," King wrote.
In a full statement on CNN.com, the TV icon said, "Before I start the show tonight, I want to share some personal news with you. 25 years ago, I sat across this table from New York Governor Mario Cuomo for the first broadcast of Larry King Live. Now, decades later, I talked to the guys here at CNN and I told them I would like to end Larry King Live, the nightly show, this fall and CNN has graciously accepted, giving me more time for my wife and I to get to the kids' little league games.
"I'm incredibly proud that we recently made the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest running show with the same host in the same time slot. With this chapter closing I'm looking forward to the future and what my next chapter will bring, but for now it's time to hang up my nightly suspenders."
The journalist will still appear on CNN frequently, hosting topic-related specials. "I'll still be a part of the CNN family, hosting several Larry King specials on major national and international subjects," King confirmed in the statement.
The decision to leave the show comes after months of declining ratings and media speculation about the future of King's career. The NY Times reported in March that the program was down about 50 percent in viewers and had seen its worst quarter ever at the start of the year.
King's announcement also comes just a few weeks after his own personal life made headline news. In April, King and his wife, Shawn Southwick, filed for divorce after both accused the other of infidelity. A month later, the reconciled couple called off the divorce and moved back in together. Earlier this month, Southwick suffered a prescription pill overdose and has been recovering since.
Though he's leaving amid low ratings, there's no question it's the end of an era. In 1985, CNN founder Ted Turner gave King the opportunity to host his own show on the network. He agreed to give it a try and left his nationally syndicated radio talk show. 25 years later, his show is still a must-visit for celebrities and politicians needing a place to break news or make an apology. Several major news events took place on the show including Ross Perot announcing his run for president in 1992 and O.J. Simpson calling in the night of his acquittal.
Over the course of his career, King has won two Peabody awards and an Emmy. He was also inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1992.
The departure of the suspenders-wearing broadcaster leaves quite a hole in CNN's evening programming with many wondering who will step in to replace the icon. Some assume the network will pull from its already vast pool of journalists while others predict new blood would help the already-flailing network.
British star Piers Morgan, currently on 'America's Got Talent,' was mentioned as a possible replacement for King earlier this month, though CNN swiftly dismissed that rumor. Their statement at the time said, "Not surprisingly, there is no shortage of people who would love to succeed Larry King if and when he moves on, but rumors that we are close to signing a deal for a Larry King replacement are untrue."
Katie Couric has also been named a possible replacement. And the Associated Press reports King thinks Ryan Seacrest should take over the reins.
Good riddance to Larry King. Poorest excuse for a broadcast journalist to ever pollute the airwaves. His show was nothing more than the National Enquirer on TV. His rude, disgusting, and arrogant manner is beyond offensive. "And yes Mrs Soandso, tell the audience how do you feel about your husband death yesterday." What a piece of crap.
King was "king" for awhile & smart & popular & likeable, but getting old & loosing popularity , so it's about time he retires. We will miss him. He is sure a lot better & much more honest than the liars on Fox news , like Beck.
Well it's about time! With his history of heart problems and his age, I'm surprised he didn't take his money and quit a long time ago. Just please, please replace him with someone who is interesting and not boring, maybe a real journalist.
King is a nasty old man. I used to run into him in Beverly Hills and he never had a good word to say about anything or anyone.....very acrimonious. Lately, when he speaks, it sounds like his false teeth are slipping and sliding around in his mouth. There's a hissing noise that wasn't there before. His retirement is long overdue.
Regardless of one's opinion of Larry King, he managed to get interviews with some extremely interesting people. I lost respect for him years ago when he sat silently while the late Marlon Brando spouted his ant-semitic rantings toward the industry that made him.
Wow, Angelina Jolie is looking SO skanky! Look at her UGLY tatoos and her skinny body covered with loose skin. Ugh! She needs to put on some weight and start looking like and being a mom. Her kids need her more than her fans do. And she should STOP adopting and having more kids. I'm so sick of seeing her face. Need I remind people that she had a sexual relationship with her brother for years?! And she calls it "loving" her brother. This woman is very sick. Brad, get out while u can!
What a surprise CNN ratings are not what they used to be?? And Cris Matthews when will you be next?? Looks like all these guys are going down with their idol Obama. His ratings are not that hot either, has anyone noticed? This gives me a glimer of hope for our society and this country. As far as the departure of Larry King, can't wait for President Obama to blame Bush!
About time he retired! He should go and take some of the other old fogies with him!! CNN has gotten old over the years and failed to replace people with younger, more talented people. No wonder the network is slipping in the polls!
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The departure of the suspenders-wearing broadcaster leaves quite a hole in CNN's evening programming with many wondering who will step in to replace the icon. Some assume the network will pull from its already vast pool of journalists while others predict new blood would help the already-flailing network. 
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Larry King Live Larry King Dead
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His hair changes color every day
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Sorry to see you go Larry. You've hosted some very interesting people on your show.
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All I have to say is Yeah! Yeah! What took so long to get this boob off the tube!
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Thank you for all the years of coddling celebrities, patronizing left wing loons, and pretending to be interested.
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Good riddance to Larry King. Poorest excuse for a broadcast journalist to ever pollute the airwaves. His show was nothing more than the National Enquirer on TV. His rude, disgusting, and arrogant manner is beyond offensive. "And yes Mrs Soandso, tell the audience how do you feel about your husband death yesterday." What a piece of crap.
Reply
King was "king" for awhile & smart & popular & likeable,
but getting old & loosing popularity , so it's about time
he retires. We will miss him. He is sure a lot better &
much more honest than the liars on Fox news , like Beck.
Reply
You must be a useful idiot
Well it's about time! With his history of heart problems and his age, I'm surprised he didn't take his money and quit a long time ago. Just please, please replace him with someone who is interesting and not boring, maybe a real journalist.
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Good ridance
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How can he be a father to his boys after shagging a younger sister of his ex-wife?
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King is a nasty old man. I used to run into him in Beverly Hills and he never had a good word to say about anything or anyone.....very acrimonious. Lately, when he speaks, it sounds like his false teeth are slipping and sliding around in his mouth. There's a hissing noise that wasn't there before. His retirement is long overdue.
Reply
Regardless of one's opinion of Larry King, he managed to get interviews with some extremely interesting people. I lost respect for him years ago when he sat silently while the late Marlon Brando spouted his ant-semitic rantings toward the industry that made him.
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Great news. 25 years of what? Promoting liberalism and providing a forum for freaked out celebs.
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Wow, Angelina Jolie is looking SO skanky! Look at her UGLY tatoos and her skinny body covered with loose skin. Ugh! She needs to put on some weight and start looking like and being a mom. Her kids need her more than her fans do. And she should STOP adopting and having more kids. I'm so sick of seeing her face. Need I remind people that she had a sexual relationship with her brother for years?! And she calls it "loving" her brother. This woman is very sick. Brad, get out while u can!
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Hey BTDT...we all get old. You might be wearing 'depends' someday. Never know.
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Word is that "L.K." got fired and he didn't quit!!!!
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What a surprise CNN ratings are not what they used to be?? And Cris Matthews when will you be next?? Looks like all these guys are going down with their idol Obama. His ratings are not that hot either, has anyone noticed? This gives me a glimer of hope for our society and this country. As far as the departure of Larry King, can't wait for President Obama to blame Bush!
Reply
About time he retired! He should go and take some of the other old fogies with him!! CNN has gotten old over the years and failed to replace people with younger, more talented people. No wonder the network is slipping in the polls!
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ITS ESPOUSING MARXISM THAT IS CAUSING THE DECLINE OF VIEWERS IN THE MARXIST MEDIA