On this day June 3, 1985, Larry King Live premiered on CNN, launching what would become one of the most iconic and enduring talk shows in television history. Known for his suspenders, direct questions, and laid back interview style, Larry King brought a unique presence to cable news and talk programming.
The show debuted with New York Governor Mario Cuomo as the first guest and would go on to run for 26 seasons, producing a total of 6,120 episodes. Over the years, King interviewed a wide range of public figures including politicians, celebrities, authors, athletes, and everyday people with compelling stories. The program became a trusted platform for both hard news and human interest conversations.
Larry King Live ended in 2010 with a star-studded final week of guests that included President Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and a host of familiar faces who had appeared on the show over the decades.
80s insight: Larry King Live helped define cable news in the 80s by proving that long form interviews could succeed on a 24 hour network. It set the standard for intelligent, personality driven talk shows that followed and made Larry King a household name throughout the decade.
The show debuted with New York Governor Mario Cuomo as the first guest and would go on to run for 26 seasons, producing a total of 6,120 episodes. Over the years, King interviewed a wide range of public figures including politicians, celebrities, authors, athletes, and everyday people with compelling stories. The program became a trusted platform for both hard news and human interest conversations.
Larry King Live ended in 2010 with a star-studded final week of guests that included President Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and a host of familiar faces who had appeared on the show over the decades.
80s insight: Larry King Live helped define cable news in the 80s by proving that long form interviews could succeed on a 24 hour network. It set the standard for intelligent, personality driven talk shows that followed and made Larry King a household name throughout the decade.
