Larry was sitting in the third row of today's service, directly behind the family.  Here are his impressions from the memorial.

I was deeply honored to be asked to be a family guest.  Barbara Walters and I were the only two media figures invited by the family, so I was really touched by that.  My overall reflections on the memorial - it was an outstanding show, and a great tribute.  It was very well organized, maybe about 20 minutes too long, but that's being picky.  When his daughter Paris spoke, boy, that was something.

As far as the speeches went, Al Sharpton was out of this world.  One of the best speeches I've heard anywhere, anytime, anyplace.   The musical performances were terrific.  Usher was very moving, Jermaine did great, Lionel Richie was outstanding.  Shaheen Jafargholi, the young man who sang "Who's Loving You," was also terrific.  I turned to Berry Gordy, who was sitting next to me, and we both just shrugged and said "who the heck is this kid."  And Jermaine - I hadn't heard him sing in years.  That was really moving.

The LA Police did a really good of security and getting everybody there and keeping things orderly.  Ken Sunshine and everyone from AEG also did a nice job.  The crowd was respectful.  The yells of "love you Michael" seemed very  approrpriate.  The family seemed genuinely touched by the outpouring of love and support.  The whole thing - what can you say?  It was a magnificent tribute.  I know Michael would have loved it.

CLICK HERE to leave your thoughts on today's memorial, or a message for the Jackson family.

Filed under: King's Things • LKL Web Exclusive • Michael Jackson

We will be looking back at the life of Farrah Fawcett tonight on LKL.  Below are Larry's thoughts on Farrah and her career.

Farrah Fawcett's career spanned four decades, and she reinvented herself several times during her career.  Of course, what she'll be most remembered for is that extraordinary show, "Charlie's Angels."  Even though all the actresses in that show were good, she was clearly the star.

She'll also be remembered for that poster.  There's never been one like it, and there will probably never be another that comes close to getting the attention it did.  The hair, the face, the bathing suit, the angle, she shot.  It is the poster of all posters.

Of course she was very pretty, but I'd also say she was a good actress.  One of the problems with actors and actresses when they're attractive is it's hard to judge how good they are at their craft.  Brad Pitt is very good looking, and he's also a great actor, but it's hard for people to make that judgment about him because his looks are so distracting.  I think the same was probably true of Farrah.

This story is going to get a lot of play today.  We're doing it tonight of course.  She became such a large figure I think, in part, because of when she launched her career.  TV had much more impact back in the '70's than it does today.  "Charlie's Angels" got huge numbers every week - nothing really dominates the television landscape like that today.  Maybe "American Idol" comes close, but now there are so many channels and so many more shows it's hard for anything to get the audience, or amount of attention, that "Charlie's Angels" got.  Farrah was a major tv star when the medium was clearly dominant and there weren't enough channels to water down viewing levels.

One thing I really admire about Farrah is the way she was able to reinvent herself, and you can argue she did it a couple of times.  Her career started with "Charlie's Angels," then there was "Burning Bed," where she went from bombshell to serious actress, and most recently in the way she dealt with her cancer so publicly.   It's hard to revinent yourself like she did, and you really have to admire her for it.

I had Farrah on my show once.  You'll see clips of it tonight, and there are also some clips posted on our blog.  It was 1994, so I don't remember much, but I do remember it was a fun interview.  I can honestly say I didn't know her that well.  We had several nice conversations the last few years about her coming on the show when she got better, but unfortunately, that didn't happen.  I'm sad today because she fought the good fight, and I really admire the way she did it in the public eye, giving strength to others in the same position.

Filed under: Farrah Fawcett • King's Things • LKL Web Exclusive

Below, Larry reflects on the loss of his friend, Ed McMahon.  We'll be talking about Ed's life and career tonight on the show.  Doc Severinsen and Joan Rivers will be among our guests.

Ed was a really terrific guy to be around.  He was a great storyteller, Irish, a marine, a skilled announcer, and a wonderful foil for Johnny Carson.  Ed always carried himself as a top professional.  I always liked and admired him.  He once introduced me at a speech in Orange Country, and he introduced me with his trademark, "Heeeeere's Larry."  I gotta tell you, it felt really good.

One of the beautiful things about Ed, and this is very important in our profession, is he was the same off the air as he was on.  I've always tried to be like that myself.  Arthur Godfrey told me the secret in this business is there is no secret - be who you are, and Ed was always himself.  I think that was the key to his success, and the key to the kind of career he had.

He wasn't a true star.  He couldn't carry a show by himself.   An "Ed McMahon Show" probably wouldn't have worked.  He was a born sidekick, and the beauty of Ed was he realized that and didn't try to make more out of it than it was.   Hugh Downs was Jack Parr's sidekick, but Hugh was a pretty good comedian in his own right.  Conan O'Brien has Andy Richter, who's also very funny.  Then there's Ed.  He was a generalist.  He wasn't great at any one particular thing, but he was comfortable with himself and his role, and that made the audience comfortable with him.  What you saw was what you got, and there's no trick to that - you either have it or you don't.

Ed was also a very good salesman - he sold himself, "The Tonight Show," and the many products he was a spokesman for.  He was also very good at selling himself.

Unfortunately, there was quite a bit of sadness at the end of his life.  The saga involving his house was very sad.  He came on the show to talk about and I could tell it really, really hurt him.

There was also a lot made out of Ed's friendship with Johnny Carson.  I think Ed made more of their relationship than was there, but I don't blame Ed for this.  Johnny had no really close friends.  He was a distant guy, and kept people at arms lenght.  Ed was probably as close as you could get to Johnny, but they weren't buddy buddy.  Ed made a career off his relationship with Carson after Johnny's death, and I think some people resented him for that, but I can't really say I blame him for trying to capitalize on that relationship.

You really have to admire Ed for having the kind of career that he did.  He did it by being himself - and that was about as good as they come.

Filed under: Ed McMahon • King's Things • LKL Web Exclusive

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Filed under: King's Things • Larry King

From the desk of Larry King:

I knew Dom pretty well.  He was on my radio show frequently in the '80's and '90's.  I had him on my local TV show in DC in the early '80's, before I joined CNN.  And I had him on Larry King Live a number of times.

(To see a clip of Dom on LKL CLICK HERE)

He was a great guy.  He was very funny, of course, and always "on," and by that I mean he was always performing.  That made him a terrific guest, and enjoyable on and off camera.  I loved having him on my shows because he was funny and passionate, and that's what you want in a guest - a lot of passion.  He exuded it.  When he was on the screen, you couldn't change the channel.

He did have this thing that most comedians have, where you hold them at arm's-length.  Bob Hope was an example of this.  In the numerous times I interviewed him, I could never get him to talk about himself, no matter how hard I tried.  But nearly every comic I've interviewed - and most of the actors - share this trait.  They're being someone else while I'm interviewing them.

I think Dom was an underrated comedian.  When they talk about the great comics, you don't hear his name mentioned, but you should because he was really funny.  Dom was also an extraordinary Italian cook - or at least I'm told, he never cooked for me.  Somebody once told me he made the world's best meatballs.  Wish he had cooked for me.  I like meatballs.

Dom made friends very easily.  He was appreciated among those in the business and very well liked.  I never heard anyone say a bad word about him.  And of course there was his friendship with Burt Reynolds.  Burt loved him.  I had them on together once.  There was a dinner in DC where Burt was being honored.  I was the emcee,  and I had both of them on my local TV show in Washington to promote it.  They were hilarious.  At the dinner Dom talked about Burt.  Talk about funny - but also real.  Their friendship was very genuine.  Burt adored him, and the opposite was true.  Their relationship reminded me a lot of Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon.  His friendship with Burt - and Mel Brooks - got him a lot of movie roles.  In all those movies, he stood out.

I was very sad to hear about Dom's passing.  The world got a little less funny.

- Larry

To read more about Dom DeLuis's career, CLICK HERE.

Filed under: King's Things • Larry King • Larry King Live

LARRY'S THOUGHTS AHEAD OF HIS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH FORMER N.Y. YANKEES' MANAGER JOE TORRE:

   I've known Joe for many years, and this is the first time I've ever known him to be involved in a controversial situation.  I'm interested if he thought the book would get the kind of reaction it's getting.

   I wonder if he has a double feeling about the book.   Does he feel the Yankees betrayed him by offering him a cop-out contract last year?  Does he think this book is betraying the Yankees, or is this getting even?  Is this a double betrayal?

   His comments about Alex Rodriguez are getting a lot of attention too.  A-Rod is a fascinating study.  He's probably the best player in baseball, but there are so many side effects to him that are almost unbelievable.  I want to know what it's like to manage him.  And what are A-Rod's true feelings about Derek Jeeter.

  I also want to ask about Manny Ramirez - three months and no signing!  And about the Yankees - what was it like to manage in that pressure cooker?  And what are the differences between managing in New York and Los Angeles.   Not many people have managed in both places - in fact I don't think anyone has managed in both before.

Filed under: King's Things • Larry King • Larry King Live

REMEMBER MY OLD USA TODAY COLUMN? IT’S BACK EXCLUSIVELY ON THE LKL BLOG!!!!!

FROM THE DESK OF LARRY KING:

"Revolution Road" is one terrific movie, with performances that are out of sight...

I can not for the life of me figure out the Superbowl winner this year...

Forget the language slip-up, Kathy Griffin is a funny, funny lady...

The tap water in NYC tastes as good as any $5.00 bottle of water...

Do you think Bernie Madoff has any friends left...

If Al Franken gets seated, he will add great intelligent amusement to the Senate...

Flat screen TVs spoil you...

I don't know why, but I've never been big on cuff links...

If someone is innocent until proven guilty, why isn't Mr. Burris sitting in the Senate?

Did any president ever enter the Oval Office with more problems on his desk than Barack Obama...

Isn't it about time Gov. Patterson pick the next US Senator from NY...

Has anybody seen Manny Ramirez lately...

My children have a new puppy at home, a dog brings a lot of joy to a house...

You love your Christmas tree, but the day after, you're happy when it comes down...

Just asking, but wouldn't a terrorist, since he knows you're going to look inside his shoes, not put anything in his shoes....

Dr. Sanjay Gupta is the absolute perfect pick to be the next Surgeon General...

Sanjay has been appearing on Larry King Live for many years. He is always, and I mean always, on the money. Even though he's a brain surgeon, he seemingly knows everything about every disease. He's always cooperative. He can make a difficult subject east to understand. His answers are clear & concise. He has an excellent sense of timing, and devotes much of his time aiding patients who can't afford to pay. With this understanding alone he should make a terrific surgeon general. It's a great choice by Obama, but CNN's loss is the country's gain.

Filed under: King's Things • Larry King Live • Uncategorized

REMEMBER MY OLD USA TODAY COLUMN? IT’S BACK EXCLUSIVELY ON THE LKL BLOG!!!!!

FROM THE DESK OF LARRY KING:

THE TRAGEDY OF OUR TIMES IS THE DWINDLING NEWSPAPER.  I BELONG TO A CULTURE OF PAPER.  I WAS RAISED ON NEWSPAPERS.  I WROTE NEWSPAPER COLUMNS FOR OVER 25 YEARS.   I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE THRILL OF OPENING THE DOOR AND SEEING THE MORNING PAPER.   THE FEEL...THE TOUCH.  I COULDN'T STAND READING A PAPER ON A COMPUTER.  THAT'S NOT READING A PAPER.  I KNOW THEY'RE GOING THE WAY OF DINOSAURS, BUT I'LL BE RIDING ALONG WITH THEM HAPPILY INTO THE SUNSET, WAVING MY SPORTS SECTION AS I GO.

SOME OTHER THOUGHTS:

FRANK LANGELLA CAPTURES RICHARD NIXON SO ACCURATELY IN THE MOVIE “FROST – NIXON” – I THOUGHT I WAS WATCHING THE FORMER PRESIDENT...

THE GROUP NOT AT FAULT IN THE BAILOUT TALKS...THE EMPLOYEES WHO DID NOTHING WRONG…

THE DODGERS WILL MAKE A GRAVE MISTAKE IF THEY DON’T WIN THE BIDDING FOR MANNY RAMIREZ…

MICKEY ROURKE’S PERFORMANCE IN “THE WRESTLER” WAS SO INTENSE AS TO ALMOST NOT BE BELIEVED… 

I EAT BLUEBERRIES EVERYDAY AND I AM BETTER OFF FOR IT…

I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED CHRISTMAS MUSIC AND CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH OF IT…

IS THERE ANYTHING IN BROADCASTING THAT RYAN SEACREST DOES NOT DO… AND DO WELL…

I DON’T CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE ANYMORE…

THE PRETTIEST CITY IN AMERICA DURING THE HOLIDAYS IS STILL NY… KRISTEN WIIG GETS FUNNIER EVERY WEEK ON SNL… I’VE NEVER MADE A NEW YEARS RESOLUTION…

ALEX OVECHKIN OF THE WASHINGTON CAPITALS IS THE BEST OFFENSIVE HOCKEY PLAYER I’VE SEEN IN MANY A MOON…

WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS THIS YEAR…

I KNOW IT’S A DIGITAL WORLD, BUT I CAN’T STAND DIGITAL WATCHES...

MY FAVORITE ALL TIME FOOTBALL COACH IS STILL DON SHULA…

WHEN I WAS A KID, I SURE LOVED SNOW, BUT IF I NEVER SEE IT AGAIN IT WOULD NOT BOTHER ME…

ONE OF MY FAVORITE COUPLES IS JENNY MCCARTHY & JIM CARREY, AND I’D LOVE TO BE A SHADOW ON THE WALL ANYWHERE THEY ARE…

JOHN KING IS A GREAT CHOICE TO SUCCEED WOLF BLITZER ON “LATE EDITION”...

I AM A BIG SUPPORTER OF VITAMINS AND OMEGA 3 IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST…

I LOVE ICE HOCKEY, BUT IT’S HARD TO REMEMBER ANY OF THE ACTION THE NEXT DAY…

JAY LENO IS GREAT! I AM GLAD THEY WORKED IT OUT…

I CAN’T FIGURE OUT HOW A SUNDIAL WORKS, BUT THEN AGAIN I FAILED SCIENCE…

I THINK THE METS GOT A BARGAIN WHEN THEY SIGNED K-ROD FOR ABOUT $10 MILLION PER…

"BOSTON LEGAL" WILL BE SORELY MISSED BECAUSE IT WAS THE BEST WRITTEN SHOW IN ALL OF TELEVISION…

WHEN JAMES PATTERSON DOESN’T HAVE A BOOK COMING OUT, THAT’S BIG NEWS...

I’D BUY BRITNEY SPEARS’ NEW ALBUM, BUT THE STORE WAS CLOSED…

WHEN YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT IT, BASEBALL IS A PERFECT GAME…

I KNOW THERE’S A RECESSION, BUT EVERYWHERE I LOOK PEOPLE ARE OUT SHOPPING…

QUICK!  WHO’S THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE…

Filed under: King's Things

REMEMBER MY OLD USA TODAY COLUMN? IT'S BACK EXCLUSIVELY ON THIS BLOG!!!!!

HERE, AGAIN, THE NEW AND IMPROVED KING'S THINGS...IT'S MY TWO CENTS!

• Whatever it takes, the Dodgers should sign Manny Ramirez or face the wrath of King!

• I don’t know about you, but I think our election campaigns are TOO SHORT!

• When I put my Citicorp card in the ATM, will money come out?

• If anybody has seen Joe Biden, ask him to give me a call!

• Will double breasted suits ever come back?

• Milk is a movie you should not miss, if only for the performance of Sean Penn...

• Will the Lakers ever lose again?

• Has Michael Connelly ever written a bad sentence?

• I wonder if Native Americans celebrate Thanksgiving – or even if they should?

• Why does it take so long for the recount in Minnesota?

• In this economic crisis, is anyone making money?

• The NY Jets story this year is one of football’s most thrilling and entertaining

• Raising young boys at my age is wonderful, but rather tiring!

Filed under: King's Things