Why Has "Larry King Live" Remained Popular Over The Decades?

"Larry King Live," hosted by Larry King (b. 1933) since 1985, remains one of the most popular current events talk shows in the US. The hour-long show airs on CNN every weekday night from 9pm. Other than the program's host and his famous suspenders, the show's most iconic symbol is an old RCA microphone that sits on the table between the host and his guests.


"Larry King Live" remains popular because King takes a very different approach from other talk show hosts. He is known to invite a wide range of people, from political leaders, to celebrities and, when the story warrants it, 'ordinary' people who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. King's style is generally informal and friendly. He is also seen to ask a good mix of "soft" and "hard" questions from his guests. That having been said, he has come under some criticism for not being critical enough with the political leaders he interviews.

Larry King Live is also watched by many when famous people die and King almost always seems to be the first to interview the deceased leader's relatives. This was the case with the death of Ronald Reagan in 2004, as well as Gerald Ford in 2006.