IAmA Larry King. I've done Radio and TV, and now I'm coming for you, internet. AMAA

I feel very awkward right now.

I never thought this day would come, the day where we would cross paths.

I picked this username because I never thought you would do an AMAA.

Now I feel obligated to ask you something...

So, uh, of the thousands you've interviewed who was the person that was the complete opposite of what you expected?

Not awkward! Like I said, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

The watergate burglar, G. Gordon Liddy. I was prepared to totally dislike him, but he was so whacko, and so engaging, that I wound up enjoying him. His utter honesty, his bizarre philosophy, brought a sense of joy to the airwaves. I like him and have kept in touch.

No question, but my ex-girlfriend thought your full name was Larry King Live.

There's a reason we broke up.

I guess she wasn't the brightest bulb on the block. She must have been good looking.

Hey Larry, have you ever been mid interview and found that the guest was just totally not tv-worthy(eg boring) ? If so how did you handle it/adjust ?

First, I am also not a goat.

Second, I've had those, and you do what you gotta do. You stay professional, try to bring out answers. It's not brain surgery. The world will not change because you have a bad interview and you just move on.

PROVE you are not a goat, LARRY

Don't dodge the question, Larry.

Goats don't wear suspenders.

I'm officially a Larry King fan now.

Glad to have you.

Obviously you've interviewed thousands of people of notoriety and esteem. Asking your favorite is near impossible, so I'll ask this: If you had to interview someone you never got a chance to, who would it be?

Fidel Castro. No one led a country for more years than him. Politics aside he has been one of the most fascinating world figures.

If laid end to end, how many miles of suspenders would you say you owned?

You'd have to calculate, but I do have 150 suspenders. I have a lot more ties than suspenders though.

Holy shit... we get to interview Larry King? The tables have turned!

Bring it on!

What's the biggest thing you have overcome?

Lack of a higher education beyond High School.

Woah, I had no idea. That brings hope to many, Mr. King.

Yeah, back in the 50's, most people didn't need a college education.

As long as you had Moxie

Moxie is very important.

What is your strangest/most bizarre interview experience?

I haven't had a lot of that, but probably Ms. USA Carrie Prejean. She said I was inappropriate and pulled off her microphone. I asked her why she agreed to settle her lawsuit and I guess she didn't like that. It still boggles my mind why she would consider such a basic question inappropriate. I still think it was relevant and a good question.

If you could go back to any time in your life, when would it be, and why?

It would be the day I started smoking, and I would have not started to smoke. I paid a heavy price for my tobacco enjoyment.

Mr. King, Would you mind asking me a question so I can tell people I was once interviewed by Larry King?

Question for oops_shart: "What kind of life do you have if a top thrill is to be asked a question by me?" j/k oops. j/k

First off, congratulations on being one of the most famous and successful media personalities ever. My question is simple: If and how will news aggregators (like Reddit!) change both the mainstream media and how the "Average Joe" gets his news? I know that during the Colorado shooting episode, Reddit had the most information (special thanks to integ3r) under one roof, and often reported tidbits of information faster than more popular outlets like MSNBC or CNN.

Thank you! I'm not really a knowledgeable tech person, but everyone tells me that the internet is the #1 deliverer of information.

I realize I'm not as knowledgeable as you guys, but I really am excited by all of this work online. It reminds me of the early days of cable news. Thanks for the support everyone!

Who is/was the most inspirational person in your life?

What was your childhood like?

How did you get into television?

1. Jackie Gleason - He encouraged me, supported me, and told me that the only secret in my business is that there is no secret. Just be yourself.

2. My father died when I was 9 1/2. We were on relief, now called welfare, from NYC because my brother and I were with my mother with no means of income. It lasted for 2 years until my mother was able to go to work. I had a lot of friends. Some of them still close friends. Brooklyn was a great place to grow up. I was poor, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

3. I always wanted to be a broadcaster. My earliest memory, my only ambition, I broke into radio in 1957 in a small station in Miami Beach, FL. That turned into an interview show and I wound up on TV in 1959 and have done it ever since.

What's the hardest thing you had to do to get into your career?

I had to leave New York to head to Miami with 11 dollars in my pocket and start knocking on doors.

Whose door did you knock on that changed your life?

My first job was at a radio station in Miami. I never spoke into a mic before. The general manager liked me, gave me a shot and gave me a show to do. I never had management be harsh to me ever again in my career. That first knock on that door, cleared a patch for me.

How hard was/is it for you to be non-biased as a broadcaster?

Not hard at all. I was raised on professionalism. The people I admire the most in the business were the people who's opinions I did not know. Who had the ability to deliver material in an unbiased manner. I always left my ego at the door. My number one motto is and still is "I never learned anything when I was talking."

What was it like interviewing Malcolm X?

I really found him fascinating, bright. He taught me a lot about myself. I was always very liberal in the civil rights area, yet he made me think even deeper. he said to me "You wonder what it's like to be young and never see yourself on TV. You're not in commercials, there's no black Santa Clause on the street. You're invisible." That really struck me.

Who has been your favorite person to interview?

It's impossible to say. I've done over 50,000 Interviews. I guess I would say Frank Sinatra only because he didn't do interviews, and he was hard to get, but he did it because he liked me. It was a very personal and wonderful interview because I am such a fan of his.

How was interviewing Ahmadinejad? He answered you extremely well :D

He was a challenge. He never really answered my questions about the holocaust. Personally though, he was very pleasant. I've had better days.

As a well-known television icon, you've been parodied and impersonated time and time again. Which were you most flattered, impressed or amused by?

Many many times on SNL. 3 or 4 when I was the opening scene. Probably the best was when John Travolta played Brando making fun of our historic interview.

Which cameo did you prefer: Bee Larry King or the Ugly Stepsister?

Bee Movie. I got to spend a full day with Jerry Seinfeld interacting with him. On the Shrek movies I was alone in a studio.

Larry King!

1. Where do you get those suspenders?

2. Why is CNN tanking when it used to be the de facto place to get news?

3. Do you believe Fox is really as bad as they are portrayed?

4. Favorite guest?

Thanks.

Dude you can't just ask where he got his suspenders; they're his source of power. Its like asking Superman where he got his flying from

LOL

1. All over, stores, people send them to me.

2. I wouldn't call it tanking. We're in a very vitriolic time in this country. So channels like Fox and MSNBC with a POV attract followers. It's hard for CNN to stay in the middle. When big stories break they get a large audience and they make a lot of money. I watch them, next to ESPN they would be my channel of record.

3. They do what they do well. I don't think they are as fair or balanced as they claim, but for what they do, they do it well.

4. Again, see what I said to politicaldan.

To add: why did suspenders become the "Larry King look?" What made you pick them as your signature?

After my heart surgery I lost quite a bit of weight and my ex wife sharon asked me "why not try suspenders, it might be a good look." I tried them, a few people called in to say they like them, and the rest is history.

Have you ever interviewed someone you knew was lying on live television?

How did that make you feel?

I interviewed a man we knew was wanted in Phoenix. We had the Subpoena, we confronted him about it, and he lied, and they brought me the subpoena and we confronted him. I didn't like that though, we embarrassed him on TV. For the life of me I can't remember his name.

Has anyone you've ever interviewed given you a response that left you speechless or just left you completely shocked? who was it, and when? I'll look it up for the question and answer.

Congrats on the awesome career.

edit: added follow up question to find out who it was.

There was a lady psychic in Miami who walked off my show when I asked how she was able to get into the head of Jackie Kennedy when there were millions of people between us and Jackie Kennedy. She didn't like that. I'm not a fan of psychics.

What are you most excited about in transitioning from traditional media to the Internet?

So far I like everything about it. It's more relaxed, the setting is very informal, very relevant. When you get right down to it though, it's still who, what, where, when, and why.

What's the most surprising thing you've learned since doing interviews?

What's your biggest wish for America?

Not so much surprising, but I have learned that people are often much more alike than they are different. No matter how famous you are, pant legs go on one at a time.

As for America, I want to see the end of the economic crisis.

Thanks for doing this, Mr. King.

1. Who's your favorite Brooklyn Dodger of all time? Favorite LA Dodger?

2. Which interview most radically changed your notions of the subject in your career?

You're welcome! Billy Cox is my favorite Brooklyn Dodger. He was the best fielding third baseman. Jackie Robinson was second. I saw his first game, and was fortunate to interview him twice. LA, Matt Kemp. Great player, great friend, great guy, and a good person.

It's so hard to say one interview changed my thoughts on what I do. I'll think about it.

I find it amazing that your career has spanned long enough to cover so many eras of personalities. Thanks for doing this AMA!

You're welcome! It's really fun!

How did it feel as a young man to see the Brooklyn Dodgers move to Los Angeles?

I went to Miami the same year they moved. So I felt sorry for the place I grew up. I eventually wound up in LA and returned my love to the Dodgers. I guess I bleed Dodger blue. We have season tickets and my two boys are incredible fans. I took my son Chance to the Mets series this weekend, we were in the club house, met all the players. It's one of my great passions, baseball.

Have you ever been scared interviewing someone?

I was in prison on Rikers interviewing a mother and son convicted of killing someone. Sante Kimes and Kenny Kimes. The way the son looked at me, had I not been surrounded by guards, I think he would have kiled me.

First of all, thanks for your many years of service to the news, Larry. You've always been one of the most enjoyable folks to watch, and looking forward to catching you on Hulu.

So I'm curious. What's your opinion of the current state of news and journalism in general? Do you think that the quality of reporting has improved, or am I justified in my feeling that it's been on a severe decline?

You're welcome!

You are justified. More does not mean better. It seems now it's more a case of rush to get it on, rather than rush to get it right. There are no Ed Murrows, or Walter Cronkites. There are some very good anchors and I respect those at the three networks, and some of those at the cable networks. I just think we were better served back then.

What are your thoughts on journalists/interviewers who refuse to call out a politician on a clear lie right then and there? Why let someone save face when they're (possibly intentionally) misleading the public?

If you're positive it's a lie you should bring it up but you better have your facts straight.

Greatest book you've ever read?

Catcher in the Rye by Sallinger. I read it 5 times, got something out of it every time. I wish I could have interviewed him, but he was a recluse the last 35 years of his life.

If you could have a Mulligan and re-interview any of your thousands of subjects, who would it be and why?

The late Robert Mitchum. Great actor but we seemed to miss. Lot's of one word answers. Maybe I was off, maybe it was him, but we didn't have the chemistry and I would like to get that night back. I really admired his work.

Hi Larry, thanks for doing this AMAA!

My question: Is there anything that you feel would have been fun to do instead of becoming a televison & radio host? Like being a doctor, engineer or doing something political or similar?

Thanks for having me!

Well, I didn't go to college, but I would have loved to be a criminal lawyer. I guess second choice would have been a stand-up comic. I know how to make people laugh, I know how to tell stories, I understand timing, so comedy would have been the second choice.

I've heard stories that sometimes news anchors or guests will test each others limits as far as their ability to keep a straight face. Do you have any stories of people attempting to make you laugh while you're on camera and they're off screen?

Probably the best goes back to my early radio days. While I was on the air once, Sam Gyson went into a studio next to me completely nude, eating a banana and scratching himself like a monkey. I cracked up. For 30 minutes all the audience heard was me laughing ... and an occasional line or two about sports.

What is your opinion of Howard Stern?

I think Howard is very smart, has a great gimmick. Howard off the air is not Howard on the air. It's a hell of an act and he's made it work a long time. I've known him many years, he's ribbed me quite a lot, but it hasn't affected my career.

How do you feel about everyone thinking they can do a good Larry King impersonation?

I think it is a compliment. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

I think I saw you at the Newsies on Broadway. How did you enjoy the show?

Yes! I took my son chance and we loved it. I was told the movie didn't make it even though Christian Bale was the star. The dancing, sets, and performances were all amazing. I had a great time.

Welcome to Reddit! What's your favorite band or musician?

My favorite singer is Frank Sinatra. My favorite female singer is Ella Fitzgerald. And my favorite all time group is truly The Beatles.

what was your most memorable, hearbreaking, and funniest stories you ever did?

Again, I've been doing it for 55 years. I've had so many comics, so many funny moments. Impossible to grab at one. Mel brooks jumps out at me for funniest. He's brilliant and dazzlingly funny.

Did you ever have a crush on a female interviewee? Did that make the interview hard?

Of course. The guest was Angie Dickinson. We ended up dating for a few years. I was east coast, she was west coast, which made it difficult. It did not affect my interview, although I was obviously flirting. Also, over the years, Sharon Stone has flirted with me, which wasn't too hard to take. Angie and my wife are now friends.

What was the greatest piece of advice ever given to you?

Again, Always be yourself. Every famous person I met had this advice. Never be afraid to be yourself, and never be afraid to take risks. People who don't take risks never go anywhere.

What's your opinion of Piers Morgan's show?

I like Piers personally. We work very differently. He tends to ask longer questions and involves his opinions more than I did. But that's more a question of style. I think he's very bright and I get along with him very well. I wish they were doing better.

What are some of your regrets? What sacrifices did you have to make to enter the TV industry?

None to enter the industry. Once I got work I put more emphasis on that than my home life and you pay a price for that. At the end of the day nothing is more important than your home.

Hey Larry! I just wanted to know your opinion of the new HBO series the Newsroom, do people really talk that fast in real life?

I think that show is a pretty good reflection of a modern newsroom. Sam Waterston and Jeff Daniels nail it. While it depends to be a little wordy, people in a newsroom tend to be a little wordy. Very well done.

What's your opinion on Conan O'brien?

I like him very much. I think he's very funny. He's a true talent and a very good person.

How do you feel about the trend in journalism towards sensationalism and getting the report first becoming more important than accuracy of facts? What, if anything, do you think can be done about this?

I don't know that anything can be done about it in today's mass media market. It is what it is. I don't like it at all, but it is what it is.

Have you seen the Larry King game on Kevin Pollak's Chat Show? If so, are you offended by it or do you find it humorous? And would you be willing to send one in? And also, thanks for pointing out your show on hulu, I look forward to more of your interviews!

I have, and it's flattering. He's been on my former talk show and I consider him the most unrecognized talent in America.

what you consider to be your greatest triumph and what would be your greatest failure?

Greatest Triumph: A successfull career in Radio, TV, Print, books, and now online.

Greatest Failure: Until now, never having a successful marriage.

What advice would you give to a young professional about getting into the journalism industry?

See the answer I just gave to Themanwithstones. The greatest piece of advice I got, is the same as I would give someone entering journalism.

What's the answer a guest gave during an interview that shocked you the most?

I was really surprised when Mickey Mantle told me that Willy Mays was better than him.

If you could interview one fictional character, who would it be and why?

I was asked this at ComiCon. I would interview Superman. A few questions: Do you always have the uniform on underneath? What was it like to fly? Did you have a daily fear of Kryptonite? Did you ever make it with Lois Lane? Do you have any memories of your home? Did you design your own uniform? What's the toughest place you ever changed your clothes?

Is there anyone you feel that you "let off" too easily? Let me clarify: given the chance, is there any interview you'd do again but ask that tough question that was on the tip of your tongue?

Yes. Probably Louis Farrakhan. He was gentle in manner during our interview, and I should have been tougher. I understand he is now very ill.

What is your day to day life like outside of being on TV. What is your favorite car that you own (or have owned) What is your favorite restaurant? What is your favorite Movie? Did you ever have a time when you hated going to work? At what point did you stop getting nervous before interviews? Were you every nervous?

1. I visit my bagel shop everyday in Beverly Hills. When school is on I take them to school and pick them up. I read 5-6 newspapers everyday. I'm on the phone a lot. Lunch with friends. Check with old time movies in TCM. Watch sports news. If the Dodgers are home I go to a game.

2. I've always owned lincolns. They are great. Though I don't take full advantage of the gimmicks.

3. Favorite restaurant is Craig's in LA. Only been open a year but it is terrific. Joe's Stone Crabs in Miami Beach, FL is my all time favorite.

Is your permanent office now in the rafters above Conan?

I haven't been back in a while. But I consider it my third home. I have my house, our beautiful new studios in Glendale ... and, the rafters.

How was ora.tv started? What is Carlos Slim like? Do you talk about baseball? (He likes to memorize baseball players stats).

Carlos Slim is a wonderful family man. Really a regular guy if that's possible when you're worth 76 Billion. The idea started with my wife shaun. We had many discussions with Carlos, it took a about a year to formulate. Carlos is a big Yankee fan. I asked him if he wanted to buy the dodgers he said no because you get too emotionally invested. He didn't think the Dodgers are worth 2 Billion. I said if the dodgers arent worth 2 Billion what are the Yankees worth? He said 1 Billion.