By Lee Pfeiffer

It's been almost 25 years since Larry King debuted his chat show on CNN. Over many of those years, King's show merited "must-see TV" status, with major politicians and show biz people sitting across from the avuncular, if somewhat disconnected King. The ratings were sky high and King's broadcasts often made news, even if he threw more softballs than one could find in a little league game. King has always been criticized for his lazy preparations for his interviews. Devoid of his "cheat sheet" index cards prepared by his staff, he would be as hapless as Don Knotts in that hilarious scene in The Ghost and Mr. Chicken in which he is reduced to a blubbering, incoherent wreak when his speech is blown away by a gust of wind. Yet, King is impossible not to like. His goofy trademark suspenders and likable personality often overcame his legendary bloopers, such as confusing the identities of the people he is interviewing. Now, however, King's ratings are sagging even as he is in the midst of yet another possible divorce from what may be his 4,000th wife...we've lost track. King's show now often has a slap-dash air about it, with low-rent reality show "stars", sleazy televangelists who would give Elmer Gantry a bad name and bubble-headed actors and actresses appearing where once presidents used to sit. For more on King's decline click here