Larrypalooza

After a twenty-five year run as a primetime host on CNN, Larry King filmed his final show on December 16, 2010. The end of “Larry King Live” marks the end of an era in primetime television, as well as the retirement of one this country’s most respected journalists. His final episode aimed to quietly, yet respectfully, depart from loyal viewers in an event his staffers called ‘Larrypalooza.’

CNN reports that the decision to end “Larry King Live” arrived when producers offered to renew King’s contract for only one year, as opposed to the typical three to five years he is accustomed to. King took the hint that his show might be running a bit long in the tooth and decided to gracefully step down while the program was still relevant. The move displays a great deal of wisdom on King’s part, as he will end the program while his brand is still respectable.

In his 53 years broadcasting, Larry King has logged over 50,000 interviews and recorded over 6,120 shows with CNN. Appearing on “Larry King Live” has been a career milestone for entertainers and political leaders alike, and the discontinuance of this show will no doubt leave a void in primetime television. However, because Larry King has timed his cancellation well, the on-air personality will leave himself open to a whole world of opportunity looking into 2011 and beyond.

Larry King could have accepted his one year renewal and attempted to push his show for another couple of years before producers finally pulled the plug. He could have sucked every last dollar from this program and headed into a deserving retirement, with “Larry King Live” slipping into the unrecognizable oblivion of played out television shows. Instead, King is stepping down while his name is still respectable, and this will serve him well in the coming years.

King has promised not to appear on the networks that CNN competes with, as long as he is granted four television specials a year. These specials alone will provide a solid financial backing as he heads into retirement. But with a reputation like his, King will face a world of opportunity from public appearances to television guest spots. Now that King has much more time on his hands, he can focus on branching out from his typical spot behind the U-shaped table.

Even though the cancellation of “Larry King Live” indeed marks the end of an era, the coming years will no doubt solidify King’s legacy as a journalist and an entertainer. Viewers can look forward to seeing him in settings other than his classic, darkened set as his brand ages like a fine wine of journalistic prowess. “Larry King Live” may have ended this week, but as long as he continues to make wise career decisions such as this, his potential to generate income and attention will never cease.

‍