I produced Larry King’s overnight radio show for ten years (1984-1994).We took it on the road, traveling to affiliates around the country and did the show live in front of an audience.
Some lessons from Larry, which wouldn’t work for everyone:
He asked short questions. “I never learn when I’m talking.”
He didn’t prepare for an interview. “The audience hasn’t read the book. Why should I?”
I first heard him while working at a radio station in Gary, Indiana. After covering a city council meeting and then writing the stories for morning drive, I drove back to my apartment around 2am, listening to Larry on the radio (WCFL). Two police cars were sitting in the parking lot because of a robbery and a cop asked me to stay in the car. He heard Larry on my radio and said “That’s a great show. He asks good questions.”
I was with him at George Washington University Hospital in 1987 when he was in the emergency room. Two doctors looked at an echocardiogram, then looked at Larry. As they approached, he said “this ain’t gonna be good.” One doctor said, “Mr. King you’re having heart attack.”
“Am I going to die?”
“Well, you’re in the best place to be having one.”
“Should I cancel my lunch reservation at Duke Zeibert’s (a DC power lunch restaurant)?”
The doctor smiled and said, “That’s a good idea Larry.”