A Royal Audience
Larry King celebrates 50 years in the business

This month CNN's titan of talk Larry King celebrates his 50th year in broadcasting. (For those of you who never knew a world without cable, King was doing local and network radio shows when CNN just was one of many ideas flying around in Ted Turner's brain.) King will be reflecting on his career with a week of special shows starting April 16 and a big bash at the Four Seasons restaurant in New York (suspenders optional, we've been told). After quizzing some 40,000 guests over the decades, we thought it was a good time for King to answer a few questions from the Biz.

TVGuide.com: Name a historical figure you wish you could book on your show.
Larry King: Jesus Christ.

TVGuide.com: What would you ask him?
King: "Do you believe you were born of a virgin birth?"

TVGuide.com: Who was the toughest get to book?
King: Frank Sinatra was a tough guest to book because he didn't really give interviews.

TVGuide.com: Has a guest ever failed to show up?
King: I had only one guest completely fail to show up, from my radio days: Mort Sahl, a comedian. I've had guests be late or occasionally cancel at the last-minute.

TVGuide.com: Which guest has made you laugh the most?
King: Don Rickles cracks me up. So does Mel Brooks.

TVGuide.com: How many U.S. presidents have you interviewed? King: I've interviewed every U.S. president since Richard Nixon, so that's seven.

TVGuide.com: Your favorite?
King: It's hard to pick a favorite amongst presidents. I liked Nixon for his sharp mind, Ford for his everyman manner, Carter for his brain, Reagan for his storytelling ability, George H.W. Bush for his generosity of spirit, Clinton for his charismatic brilliance, and George W. Bush for his perseverance.

TVGuide.com: Who has turned down the most invitations to come on your show?
King: Prince Charles has turned down all of my requests. I keep trying, though!

TVGuide.com: Anyone ever show up drunk (besides Anna Nicole Smith)?
King: I'm sure guests have. I just never knew for sure.

TVGuide.com: Is anyone banned for life?
King: No! I wouldn't do that!

TVGuide.com: Which broadcaster were you most influenced by in your career?
King: Arthur Godfrey.

TVGuide.com: What's the most shocking information you've ever heard come through your earpiece?
King: I was on the air and a producer got in my ear to tell me the video we were about to show live O.J. Simpson in a white Bronco during a freeway chase on the 405.

TVGuide.com: What's your average prep time for an interview?
King: It depends. I read, watch and listen to the news all day, so that I'm generally aware of everything going on. I review with my staff before the interview, but it's hard to put a time frame on it.

TVGuide.com: What has been your most embarrassing moment on the air?
King: I was on the job only two weeks, and I was interviewing a Catholic priest. I asked him how many children he had.

TVGuide.com: What TV show besides your own do you try not to miss?
King: It's tough in this business to catch shows, but I try to catch Law & Order, Boston Legal and most sporting events.

TVGuide.com: Who should be your successor on CNN?
King: I am not retiring. I can't imagine retiring or doing anything else. Retire to what? But there are a lot of young people in the business whom I like and think could be ready in 10 to 15 years to have their own interview program.

TVGuide.com: How many pairs of suspenders do you own?
King: I probably have around 75 pairs.

TVGuide.com: What color is your favorite pair?
King: Navy blue.

TVGuide.com: Do you also wear a belt?
King: I do not wear a belt when I wear suspenders. I do wear belts on weekends or casual days.

TVGuide.com: Is it good to be the King?
King: It is great to be the King!