@elliot.mintz: it was on this day in 2021 that larry king passed at the age of 87. sepsis. he was a broadcasting icon who began his career in 1957 by doing radio interviews from a restaurant in miami called 'pumpernick's'. he would interview anyone who might appear. his first interview was with one of the waiters. singer bobby darin showed up at the restaurant a few days later and became larry's first 'celebrity interview'. tens of thousands would follow over a career that spanned the decades. his style was low key, non-confrontational, warm and accessible. he asked the questions most folks would ask and never allowed his personal opinions to get in the way. some say he asked 'soft ball' questions. i always felt he was just being civil. he seldom read the books or viewed the films before interviewing the guest. he did not prepare questions in advance. larry wanted to begin at the same place as the audience and learn with them. he seemed as comfortable talking with sinatra and brando as he was with 'newsmakers', sports figures and heads of state. larry came upon the scene when american's still took time to 'listen'. attention spans had not yet been compressed into 'sound bites' and people took an interest in the lives of others beyond self serving promotion or 'scandal'. throughout the experience, he never lost his connection with his roots in brooklyn and his childhood friends. he was a very generous man who donated millions to important causes and hosted hundreds of fundraisers to benefit others. in person, he was pretty much the same as he appeared on television only funnier.. and a bit more sentimental. once, he was asked 'what is the most important question you should ask a guest on the air?'. his response was 'why?' that has always been one of my 'zen media' teachings. the first answer is usually the prepared response....but if the follow up is 'why?' you go beyond the obvious. if you are lucky enough to ask one more time, you get the answer that is usually unexpected and truly revealing. he was a friend and i enjoyed our visits. larry told the best stories but always in a respectful manner. the art of the interview grows out of a genuine curiosity about the lives and experiences of others. the audience knows if you are just going through the motions. when it comes to the 'short list' of those who truly understood and practiced the profession of broadcast inquiry.....larry was one of the best. #elliotmintz #larryking #marlonbrando #elizabethtaylor #jerryseinfeld

Elliot Mintz

Open In TikTok:

Region: US

Saturday 24 January 2026 04:01:53 GMT