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My friend Larry King has died.
It is literally true that thousands of us can make that sad statement this morning. While he was easily caricatured, I’ve never known anybody who made a bigger deal out of the slightest kindness afforded him.
#RIPLarryKing
1) 25 years ago...
It is literally true that thousands of us can make that sad statement this morning. While he was easily caricatured, I’ve never known anybody who made a bigger deal out of the slightest kindness afforded him.
#RIPLarryKing
1) 25 years ago...
...Larry called in at ESPN Radio and said he wanted to “thank that kid who does the impression of me.”
During the ‘00 NL playoffs I’m anchoring the pre- and post- at my office at Fox in LA and the phone rings. “OLBERMANN! HELLLO!” He’s doing an impression of me impersonating him
During the ‘00 NL playoffs I’m anchoring the pre- and post- at my office at Fox in LA and the phone rings. “OLBERMANN! HELLLO!” He’s doing an impression of me impersonating him
3) He settled down to business quickly. “I’m keeping a scorecard, of course. How come if Alfonso hit for Bordick in the 7th spot they’ve got him hitting 9th on the broadcast? My scorecard is a mess.”
I straightened it out for him. A box of chocolates arrived two days later.
I straightened it out for him. A box of chocolates arrived two days later.
4) The day Fox took me off baseball thinking I’d quit instead of taking $800k from them to do nothing, the phone rings. It’s Larry. “From the first time I saw you on MSNBC I said to (CNN exec No. 393) ‘this is my perfect lead-in. He’d get the kids and I’d get the dead viewers...”
5) “If you’re interested, let me call (CNN exec No. 397) and (CNN exec No. 398) and pitch them again. Bye buby.”
He had mentioned something about the 1910 Dodgers so I got sent a couple of their baseball cards. Phone rings again. “These are the greatest things I’ve ever seen!”
He had mentioned something about the 1910 Dodgers so I got sent a couple of their baseball cards. Phone rings again. “These are the greatest things I’ve ever seen!”
6) The next call, he’s at a frame shop. “I’m getting those baseball cards you sent me framed. And I’m expecting a call Thursday from (CNN exec No. 441) about having you do 8 PM. Check your mail I’ll send you a picture of the frame on your lovely gift.”
7) this stuff went on for the next eight years. We were up to CNN Exec No. 537 or so when he finally gave up. “I tried. They’re morons. But I already see what you’re planning you nut.” There was a laugh. “This kid you’ve got on your show all the time. I see it!”
8) One 2008 primary night my exec producer and I are going over who is where. “And Rachel?,” I say. “Here? At somebody’s HQ? Where?”
“Oh,” she says. “She’s not with us tonight.” I asked if she were sick. “No. She’s on Larry King’s panel.” I spit coffee and ask how our employee..
“Oh,” she says. “She’s not with us tonight.” I asked if she were sick. “No. She’s on Larry King’s panel.” I spit coffee and ask how our employee..
9) ...is on Larry King’s panel. “Oh she’s not employed. We don’t pay her anything. Larry offered her $200.”
I called the president of Msnbc. I called several execs above him. I called my agent. There were obscenities and oaths and threats. And I called Rachel. “I’ve got $432...
I called the president of Msnbc. I called several execs above him. I called my agent. There were obscenities and oaths and threats. And I called Rachel. “I’ve got $432...
10) “...in my wallet. It’s yours. And I’ll get you a contact. Do NOT go on with Larry. Do NOT.”
Thankfully she didn’t (6 months later they let me have her guest host, then we got her her own show).
That night an hour after I talked to her the phone ring. “Olbermann!” It’s Larry
Thankfully she didn’t (6 months later they let me have her guest host, then we got her her own show).
That night an hour after I talked to her the phone ring. “Olbermann!” It’s Larry
11) Larry is laughing and swearing. “Rat bastard. How much did you give her? I thought I’d caught you asleep at the switch!”
So that September she goes on at 9 against Larry and in her first week beats him in the 25-54 audience ratings. A box arrives the next day. From Larry.
So that September she goes on at 9 against Larry and in her first week beats him in the 25-54 audience ratings. A box arrives the next day. From Larry.
12) It’s Moet & Chandon. “Congratulations. Just remember me when I need work because my kids are starving because you put her on against me. Love, Larry. PS it’s not poisoned. But I thought about it!”
13) I don’t know how many of the thousands of us he genuinely treated this intensely and thoughtfully had that kind of professional element to the relationship. But Larry was as smart about what would work on radio and TV as anybody I’ve ever known. And he cherished his friends..
14) and he cherished everything and anything they did for him and then tried to top whatever the gesture was.
This is a rare quality in my business. It is a rare quality in life. So think of the easily caricatured TV guy. He was fine with that. But also think of this...
This is a rare quality in my business. It is a rare quality in life. So think of the easily caricatured TV guy. He was fine with that. But also think of this...
Last) ...extraordinary guy who was utterly and unswervingly sincere and appreciative of everybody. It’s not my faith, but I believe the technical term is “mensch.”
Till we meet again, Larry. Godspeed.
Till we meet again, Larry. Godspeed.
PS: I was going to add a disclaimer that Larry and I weren’t close friends. But that contradicts the essence of the man. Some of us he saw at the deli every day. Some of us, once a year.
But to him, we were ALL close friends. What a blessing.
But to him, we were ALL close friends. What a blessing.
