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Long Live Larry King

By on 12.16.10 @ 6:10AM

Good-bye, at least for a short while.

Good-bye, Larry King, at least for a short while. The super talk show host, who had me on his show dozens upon dozens of times, is moving on from CNN to other ventures.

I really did not know him at all well until a few years ago, even though he lived very near me in Beverly Hills. The few times I was on his show long ago were with angry women leftist “comedians” who specialized in hit and run attacks. The experiences were dismaying.

But in the last three years, my experiences on his shows were dramatically better. He still had the angry women leftists, but he kept them on the subject, and occasionally one of them, Stephanie Miller, landed devastatingly accurate punches at my beloved GOP.

It was Larry King Live, so naturally he had big names. My favorite experiences were with Paul Krugman, a smart guy, but a polemicist, and a shy but aggressive polemicist at that; Barney Frank, a truly likeable guy; Charlie Rangel, a Korean War hero and victim of a silly self-righteousness in Congress. I also loved any time with Penn Gillette, who is just phenomenally smart and good-natured.

But it was Larry King himself who was the real star. With just a sheet of paper with a few questions which he crossed off as he asked them, he got a broad range of information out there into the national brain, almost never intruded on his panelists with his own political views, and almost always managed to keep traffic moving at an intersection of men and women who loved to hear their own voices.

From talking to him at the breaks, I picked up a sense of fairness even to those he disagreed with, a fabulously good sense of humor, and a modesty about his star status that is rare in any world, but especially on talk TV.

I am going to miss him, as interlocutor and friend. I hope he is back on the air right away. The nation —and the world — need him. Come to think of it, Larry, Richard Nixon had the words for this situation. “This isn’t good-bye. The French have a word for it. ‘Au revoir.’ We’ll see you again.”

About the Author

Ben Stein is a writer, actor, economist, and lawyer living in Beverly Hills and Malibu. He writes “Ben Stein’s Diary” for every issue of The American Spectator.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (73) |

CB| 12.16.10 @ 6:18AM

I have no problem with Larry King. I do have a problem with Barney Frank being "a truly likeable guy". There aren't too many that can match his level of arrogance and obnoxiousness.
Come on, Man !

Alan Brooks| 12.16.10 @ 5:53PM

"Stephanie Miller, landed devastatingly accurate punches at my beloved GOP."

The GOP needs to be punched OUT.

mzk1| 12.18.10 @ 3:57PM

The difference between you and Ben is that Ben has class.

Bob K.| 12.16.10 @ 7:06AM

Is he still on?

I heard he died!

Eric Cartman| 12.16.10 @ 9:25AM

Bob, please. If you can't say something nice about the dead, then . . . hold on - wife. What, honey? He isn't? He looks it. Ah huh. You sure? Really? Wow. You could a fooled me. Okay. Um . . . never mind.

Margie| 12.16.10 @ 2:16PM

But he can't be dead! I heard Rush call him Larry King Alive!

Bob K.| 12.16.10 @ 7:09AM

Ben,
Please! Stop patronizing your readers here.

Charlie Rangel is a crook!

conservativecurmudgeon| 12.16.10 @ 5:15PM

Huzzahs to that!
What's the deal, Mr. Stein? -- you seem frequently, as you are starting to begin the long descent into your dotage, to be overly circumspect toward the most fulsome and grotesque of libs, and yet patronizing towards your allies. Whassup?

Alan Brooks| 12.16.10 @ 5:55PM

Stein is a a brown-noser:
an embarrassment to both conservatism and Judaism.

Margie| 12.16.10 @ 7:50PM

Thank goodness we humans are faulty in our judgments of others, hmm Alan?

Alan Brooks| 12.16.10 @ 10:30PM

Stein doesn't have to one's favorite author at this site. No one has to brown-nose HIM.

mzk1| 12.18.10 @ 3:58PM

What does Ben have to do with Judaism? What do you have to do with conservatism OR Judaism?

mzk1| 12.18.10 @ 7:32PM

No, Ben has always been like this. He calls 'em as he sees 'em. He got into a lot of trouble, for example, for his negative opinion of Michael Millikin (if I am not mixing names up).

Ron Peterson| 12.20.10 @ 4:03PM

And, Barney Frank is a swine and Larry King is a PUTZ.

hardcard| 12.16.10 @ 7:58AM

This is the lead article ? Larry King is a joke he should still be in Brooklyn collecting deposit cans and bottles. What a schmuck!!!!! Ben are you drinking the Clear Eyes ?

Publius| 12.16.10 @ 8:05AM

Barney Frank was a central figure in the destruction of the housing market and the ensuing economic carnage. I am sure all of those people who worked hard all their life only to watch their most valuable asset go down the drain appreciate the accolades you throw Frank's way. Charlie Rangel is just your basic thief.

It is time for AS to pull out the shepherds crook and yank Mr. Stein from the stage. Frankly (no pun intended), he's an embrrassment to any rational thinking human being and representative of what is wrong with government.

Hey AS, are you actually paying Stein for this weekly drivel?

Margie| 12.16.10 @ 2:22PM

Are you kidding me? Yank Mr. Stein from the stage of AS for saying nice things about Barney Fwank? I mean Frank? That he's a wikeable guy.. I mean likeable, sorry.
Of course I don't like him myself because of what he stands for but if Mr. Stein thinks he's a likeable guy, so be it.

I'd much rather have the shepherds crook taken to the authors here who try and ban Christians for their outspoken views on Christianity and who seem to be on the side of anti-semites.

Let's get real.

Alan Brooks| 12.16.10 @ 6:01PM

Marge, it's a double-bluff:
the antisemites who blog at AS are covert Mossad agents here to make antisemites look bad!
Tim* is in reality the most gung-ho Israel Firster who ever lived. He was at a deli last week eating a bowl of matzoh ball soup, and compiling a list of Israeli settlers to send cash to.

Alan Brooks| 12.16.10 @ 6:25PM

...and Marge,
when the deli closed, Tim* went home with a large jar of Gefilte fish.

Margie| 12.16.10 @ 6:32PM

Ha! Thanks for the laugh, I needed that, Brooks!
Touche' ole'!

Alan Brooks| 12.16.10 @ 6:40PM

Call me Al, as in Big Al the bell-ringing sportscaster on Laugh In. Do you remember him?:
"Big Al here (he rings the bell)."

Margie| 12.16.10 @ 7:39PM

Yes I do remember him. As a matter of fact, maybe I'll go watch a few episodes of Laugh-In online. And they say Liberals don't have a sense of humor. Actually I have said that. Then again.. I've also said I think there's a conservative inside of you yearning to be free. LOL.

Oh, and not only did Timmy* go home with a jar of gefilte fish but I also heard he plans on planting a tree in Israel, whod'a thunk it?

Alan Brooks| 12.16.10 @ 10:32PM

Tim's Bar Mitzvah is next week.

WilliamInWien| 12.16.10 @ 8:06AM

Larry King? I stopped wearing braces because I was afraid I would wind up with the Larry King Shoulder Syndrome. Ben Stein is becoming more sentimental as more and more in his age group are "departing". I agree with BOB K: "stop patronizing your readers".

Vern Crisler| 12.16.10 @ 9:01PM

I agree. I think Ben has been in Hollywood too long.

Nguyen| 12.16.10 @ 8:15AM

don't know how he ever got a television job-better lucky than good I guess.

Publius | 12.16.10 @ 8:19AM

Stein is not patronizing us. Like many a pseudo intellectual, he is being arrogantly dismissive in advance, hoping to avoid a challenge he cannot defend.

Steve A| 12.16.10 @ 8:47AM

I'm not a big Larry fan but if you want some laughs, Google & read the text of Larry's last interview with Marlon Brando. Classic stuff.

al| 12.16.10 @ 8:58AM

ben stein is like so many of our cultural elitists for whom there is an "insiders club" which transcends all other considerations.

IMKessel| 12.16.10 @ 8:58AM

I am very fond of Ben Stein’s writing. It was his diary sections that got me hooked on TAS many years ago. I have found Stein to be self-deprecating and honest, but he often confuses tolerance for forgiveness. The former allows for much good, but it is not an unalloyed good. Tolerance without judgment leads to a lack of discretion and ultimately a license for destruction. The latter, forgiveness, demonstrates a generous character, but without repentance on the part of the forgiven, forgiveness again gives way to destruction. People, actually criminals, like Frank and Rangle have never admitted wrong doing; in fact, they continue to defend their indefensible actions. With people like this, Stein is being played for a fool. Worse yet, it is Stein himself playing himself for a dupe. It is one of his least worthy roles.

Anthony| 12.16.10 @ 9:14AM

Well put Mr. Kessel.

Bob K.| 12.16.10 @ 10:28AM

I like his diary and writings too. (Mostly) But every now and then he needs a jolt of reality! Keeps the mind sharp!

Anthony| 12.16.10 @ 9:05AM

Good God man, you've really suffered one too many wack a mole hits to the head. I think perhaps you need to be hawking laxatives instead. Your head is backed up.
Larry King is and was a leftist hack, pure and simple. His infantile and obsequiously fawning questions to lefties were sickening. His lefty barbed questions to Rs, standard lefty fare.
As other posters have opined, your syrupy comments about some of the biggest reprobates the left has produced in a long time truly astounds.
Ben, we don't need to see anymore of Larry King. He and his leftist ilk have polluted our culture enough. I suggest if you miss him that much, you can walk down the street and go visit your friend. Please feel free not to share your friendly visits with us.

ncatty| 12.16.10 @ 10:27AM

The worst Ben Stein article ever. "The nation and the world need him (King)." Ugh.

Occam's Tool| 12.16.10 @ 12:45PM

Need him how, Ben? Like a barbed wire enema?

Christopher| 12.16.10 @ 10:33AM

I enjoy Stein's articles, and he tries to be "nice" to everybody. But Charlie Rangel evaded taxes, that is not silly rightenous by Congress. Wesley Snipes is doing three years for silly rightenous of tax evasion. Barney Frank? He may be pleasant on a personal level, but his policies have been a disaster.

Merlin| 12.16.10 @ 10:43AM

Ben,

While I don't totally disagree with some of the negative comments here, you are good, wise and appreciated. If you ever need a ride anywhere in Washington State, I am only a phone call and driving time away.

OLDRAY| 12.16.10 @ 10:54AM

I love Ben Stein ,but often he displays a lack of common sense. Larry King? Barney Frank?

mames| 12.16.10 @ 11:17AM

Ben this is your personal jump the shark moment. Every person you said you liked is universally hated by conservatives not only for their positions but because of their immoral lifestyles and behavior. shame on you - a touch of dementia?

Harrison | 12.16.10 @ 12:19PM

He had big name guests but too many softball questions it became snooze fest.

Calvin Dodge| 12.16.10 @ 12:31PM

Ben, con men are frequently "likeable", since it's easier to fool the marks if they think you're a good guy.

Please measure these "copper thieves" by their actions and results, not their apparent likeability.

Occam's Tool| 12.16.10 @ 12:44PM

Gotta focus Ben's mind, but can't use meds, as he has a phobia about meds that haven't been used in decades...hmmm.....Got It!

Ben, Frank and Rangel are Evolutionists!

RiverKing| 12.16.10 @ 1:05PM

" Barney Frank, a truly likeable guy; Charlie Rangel, a Korean War hero and victim of a silly self-righteousness in Congress..."

Extreme naiveté or senility, Ben?

Nunya| 12.16.10 @ 1:20PM

Ben,

While I understand that you are friends with Larry King and wish to defend him to the world, I can tell you that your blurb above is not worthy of you--and is beneath the rest of us. Larry is a leftist that did no investigative reporting, was known for not being prepared, and threw so many softballs at his leftist colleagues I'm surprised his arm didn't fall off. Good riddance.

And frankly, I don't care if Bawney Fwank is "likeable"--he disgusts me for being a lying thief and an idiot. I mean, how else could he not know his boyfriend was using their home for a brothel, he's obviously an idiot, right?

Charlie Rangel the "victim of a silly self-righteousness in Congress"?? Are you serious? The man is a thief, and a tax evader, and you defend him because he fought in Korea?? The man should be kicked out of Congress and sent to jail.

You really should stay off the Prozac before you write.

Angee Woodman| 12.23.10 @ 5:50PM

You can like someone and respect without agreeing with their views on life. I like and respect many republicans in office and am conservative in view myself but I deifently dont agree with their overall look on unemployement. You dont have to respect for someone but you do have to have honor for positions in authority. Mr. Stein has it right.

Johnny D| 12.16.10 @ 1:27PM

Larry King asks the most inane and innocuous
questions of of his guests plus he always knows
the answers beforehand. Certainly Larry is not
a deep thinker, if he was he would have not been
married eight times.

kingsmill| 12.16.10 @ 1:28PM

Creepy article Ben. I've looked the other way on a lot of your output due to your loyalty to Nixon and your father, but you are officially on notice.

Kilgore Trout| 12.16.10 @ 1:51PM

Rangell is a liar, thief and tax cheat. And this is merely what he's been caught at right now.
Love Ben but his defense of Rangell, the vile Bahnie Fwank and the untalented leftist, Larry King (bad to look at, bad to listen to and zero brain power).
I hope Ben returns to form.

mzk1| 12.18.10 @ 4:12PM

I don't know, I thought "Venus on the Half Shell" kind of fizzed out towards the end. Plan on putting out anything new, assuming Kurt doesn't threaten to sue you again for not existing? :-)

Kilgore Trout| 1.24.11 @ 6:53AM

Kurt dont worry me, Kurt dead.

Billy D.| 12.16.10 @ 3:01PM

Wow, Ben. I thought you were wise, perspicacious, discerning, and a good judge of character. And honest, too. I was not prepared for your pabulum about an undeserving softball-throwing icon in this "culture" that celebrates and readily gives a pass to crooks such as Rangel and leftist destroyers such as Frank. You're funny and clever, and, I'm sure, very likable. But you do a great disservice to your readers and what's left of our "culture" by dispensing such silliness; your column suggests extreme shallowness.

Who cares that King is a nice guy? That's not in issue. Who cares that the criminally arrogant Rangel might be a kick to have a beer with (doubtful)? After Frank destroyed so much, who cares about any positive trait he might be harboring? To paraphrase a famous Talmudic saying, he who fawns over the undeserving and crooked will dump all over the deserving and straight.

Please spare us the good ol' boy chumminess, and hold the rock stars' feet to the fire, where they belong. It's far beneath you to carry water for those non-entities. Your "beloved GOP" surely does not approve.

JShizzle| 12.16.10 @ 3:01PM

Rangell is a swell guy....Frank is awesome....Did I end up on dKos by mistake? WTF is going on here?

J.C.Eaton| 12.16.10 @ 3:04PM

By his friends you will know him. I only read this man when I have time for camp. This bowl of treacle is beyond camp. Mr. Stein is become a dilletante. We'll need more than camp next time.

Caroline| 12.16.10 @ 3:42PM

This will be misunderstood by many posters here. I AM a conservative who sees the worth of Larry King as far as his interviewing style is concerned.

I don't agree with much of his philosophy about many things; however, he is one interviewer who doesn't interview himself, as so many do - like, e.g., Bill O'Reilly.

He doesn't ask hardball questions because his style is to elicit talk by the guests. That he does superbly - better than any other on TV.

kingsmill| 12.16.10 @ 5:30PM

King's interview style worked very well on his late night radio show on the Mutual Network years back.
He would draw out his guests with his easy going interview style. He was effective by being low key and not partisan or ideological. However, on TV he is just a putz!

Mark Jeffery Koch| 12.16.10 @ 5:59PM

Larry King was famous for one reason: he would let celebrities and political figures come on his show and lob softball questions at them. He would never be a Barbara Walters or a Charlie Rose, two people who know how to ask insightful, meaningful questions.

If you wanted a People Magazine type full of fluff and zero substance interview then you were happy with Larry King. If you wanted a Tim Russert type interviewer, someone who would actually read the guests book or see their movie before lying and having them on their show about how good it was then like me, you would be glad Mr. Softie is off the air after this evening.

We live in a country where more people know who the finalists for American Idol or Dancing With the Stars are than know the name of their Congressman, Senators, Governor, or any justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. America likes to be entertained with fluff and matters of substance mean nothing to people more concerned with being entertained and amused rather than being challenged and educated.

hogwash2| 12.16.10 @ 10:24PM

All of you.. it's put-on and Ben got all of you.

J.R.| 12.16.10 @ 11:43PM

Liked some of his articles, a lot maybe, but lost faith in him long ago when he started belly aching about how poor he was (is?), always worried about money, what with 3 or 4 homes in Ca., an apt. in Watergate (almost forgot Idaho & his boat). I think his true love is with his dogs, not people, unless they are drooling over him like his dogs. He professies his love for the miliary, but then praised Adm. Melon in his last article, a politcal hack that is the only member of the military establishment that is activately adovcating the end of DADT (go figure, Navy). As a retired Marine, sad to see a great mind wither into such sentimentalism to praise even the worst and most banal.

led display | 12.17.10 @ 3:00AM

it was Larry King himself who was the real star!

Thomas James| 12.17.10 @ 11:20AM

When I was in college, Larry King had an a.m. talk show on a house boat in the Inland Waterway just across Collins Avenue from the Fountainebleu Hotel on Miami Beach. He was pretty funny, in a Jewish comic sort of way. But he was no intellectual or political analyst. He was entertaining and had a wonderful radio voice. Now, 5o years later, he is entertaining and has a wonderful radio voice. One thing about Jewish liberals: they never, ever, ever change.

Billy D.| 12.17.10 @ 1:40PM

Hey, I resemble that remark! Why, I was a Jewish liberal (a Berkeley grad, no less) till I got religion, started a family...and exercised my brain. Now I'm a proud, card-carrying, full-fledged neocon! And there's more like me all the time. Fear not: J-libs have great potential.

general summerall| 12.17.10 @ 7:51PM

King's radio show in the early 80s was good for a while,(Yitram, and the numbers man et al) but then someone dug out that the Carvel story was probably made up and Duke Wiebert's eatery in DC had been closed for a long time but Larry was still promoting it, and he got to having trouble handling callers from the Right. CNN should let Bohannon take his place at 2200 central time.

general summerall| 12.17.10 @ 7:53PM

OK. 8 p.m is actually 2000

general summerall| 12.17.10 @ 7:53PM

OK. 8 p.m is actually 2000

Martin Bohrman| 12.18.10 @ 9:55AM

Ben Stein is a jew. Larry King is a jew. Tribalism trumps talent as well as objectivity.

Christopher| 12.18.10 @ 2:35PM

Martin, they have internet in hell? Can't fool us by putting the H in last name, like you did in Argentina.

Margie| 12.19.10 @ 12:06PM

Anti-semitism trumps brains as well as character.

Alfred Jodl| 12.19.10 @ 10:01PM

Very true Martin, very true. I applaud your courage in speaking the truth!

mzk1| 12.18.10 @ 4:07PM

Well, this is certainly a different take on the issue. I thank TAS for allowing us variety of opinion, given compatible philosophy. Besides, I've never gone for the "all politicians are crooks" line.

(Here in Israel, that makes me about the only one!)

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 12.19.10 @ 10:20AM

I have never watched Larry King except for those rare moments when something from his show makes the news.

There are far better ways to spend your time then watching anything on CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, etc. If I wanted to be brainwashed though I will certainly indulge.

Jorge| 12.20.10 @ 8:32PM

Ben, Must have been a bad night or week! I can believe that Barney is anything other then the banking queen. I have always referred to Larry as "nearly alive". Stopped watching him decades ago. Charlie Rangle should have been ousted not just censored! Ben, your moral values are slipping! Take the GSHP's for a walk, I just took my pair, they always bring me back to reality. A hui hou

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