Off the Record about Favorite Guests, Memorable Moments, Funniest Jokes, and a Half Century of Asking Questions
After more than a half-century of asking questions, in 2010 Larry King suddenly found everyone wanted answers from him. Why was Larry King Live, CNN's highest rated program, ending after three decades? Was Larry getting divorced again? Truth Be Told is a deeply revealing look at the broadcast legend as he dealt with marriage upheaval, the ensuing paparazzi and tabloid controversy, prostate cancer, the twenty-fifth anniversary of Larry King Live, and ultimately, his decision to leave the show to pursue a secret dream—stand-up comedy.
Larry reflects on how much the world has changed around him over the course of his fifty-year career, and the riveting conversations he’s had with the most compelling figures in politics, entertainment, medicine, and technology. In these pages, Larry also shares his most memorable moments with singers and songwriters (from Sinatra to Lady Gaga); actors (from Marlon Brando to Al Pacino); billionaires (the high-profile Donald Trump and the low-profile Carlos Slim); world leaders (Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad); crooks (Bernie Madoff, the interview that got away); comedians (from Lenny Bruce to Jerry Seinfed to Chris Rock); and a host of others.
Truth Be Told is a surprisingly candid look inside the monumental career of one of the most powerful and legendary talk-show hosts, and the final year of the nightly television program that has been close to all of our hearts.
Larry, I’m gonna miss ya / If you were a woman, I’d kiss ya.”
Television will never be the same.”
In the U.S. mass media, there are many talented and interesting people. But, still, there is just one king there. I don’t ask why he is leaving. But, still, what do you think? We have a right to cry out: ‘Long live the King!’ When will there be another man in the world as popular as you happen to be?”
You know, these days everybody uses the word legend. But you, Larry King, are a true legend.”
You asked some tough questions over the years, but it was always from the heart, straight, no curveballs. We respect you and love you.”
Nobody ever did it better.”
Don’t move to Israel. You’ll get my job.”
