VIDEO: Larry King Retiring From CNN Talk Show: "It's Time To Hang Up My Suspenders"
June 30 2010, Published 10:00 a.m. ET
The venerated talk show host Larry King has announced he is retiring from CNN after 25 years on the air.
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In a statement released prior to his show airing on Tuesday he broke the news that he would be ending his broadcast in the fall, citing his desire to spend more time with his family.
“I talked to the guys here at CNN and I told them I would like to end Larry King Live, the nightly show, this fall and CNN has graciously accepted, giving me more time for my wife and I to get to the kids’ little league games.”
King, 76, said that he would continue to host several Larry King specials for CNN.
He ended his statement with a joke about his nightly wardrobe. “With this chapter closing I’m looking forward to the future and what my next chapter will bring, but for now it’s time to hang up my nightly suspenders.”
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Larry and his wife Shawn both filed for divorce on April 14, but have since reconciled. Their 11-year marriage was tumultuous because of Larry’s affair with Shawn’s sister Shannon Engemann.
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Later on the show, guest Bill Maher asked King who he would like to see replace him on the show.
King said, "I can't be objective because I don't know his feelings, his interest in politics. But Ryan Seacrest...He is curious. He is
interesting. He is likable."
Seacrest later Tweeted a message to King,saying, "You're a legend. One of a kind."
The Guinness Book Of World Records named Larry King Live as the longest running TV show to have the same host.
King has interviewed more than 50,000 people during his years 50 years of broadcasting.