April 30, 2007: Happy Celebri-versary Larry King

I love Larry King and his show. It's no secret. To borrow from Jerry Maguire, he had me at little old man.

No one makes me celebri-spiral like Larry. On any given night, you have Bil Clinton, the Dalai Lama, Barbra Eden, and Kathy Griffin-together!-discussing world events.

Who else can listen to Liza Minnelli wax on about the fact that alcoholism is a disease and interrupt her with a sentimental, "Ya miss your mother? You ever watch that movie she was in? The OZ show? Love that. It's on TNT all the time."

His 50th anniversary week starts now, delayed after the Virginia Tech shootings, which Larry devoted a full week to, knocking on the dais Oprah, Katie Couric, and a host of others scheduled to now appear this week to celebrate him and turn the tables: interviewer gets interviewed.

So with all the grandeur and the tributes from Presidents, Kings, Queens, Stars, and-let's face it-a host of B-list who'll be trotted out from the land of the forgotten headline, I saw this little saucy nugget from The New York Post:

CNN Suspends Good Taste

"There are going to be a lot of suspenders hanging around Columbus Circle tomorrow. On Friday, CNN worldwide president Jim Walton sent out a memo to the entire cable news network's staff asking them to all wear suspenders to the studio in honor of Larry King's 50th year in broadcasting. "We are privileged to have Larry, a wonderful colleague and true industry giant, as a cornerstone of CNN's success," Walton wrote. "I couldn't be prouder to work alongside Larry and have the opportunity to congratulate him on this extraordinary professional milestone. I know you share this sentiment. As a small token of our respect, appreciation and friendship, I am encouraging everyone to wear suspenders to work on Monday." But not all staffers share Walton's affection. One CNN'er told us, "I'm going to suck up to stars I thought were dead?" Another e-mailed, "He told us to wear suspenders, nothing about a shirt. Larry would love to see that, I'm sure." And another employee cackled, "I'm gonna wear suspenders. I'm also going to eat blueberries and fart in public all day."

Well, there are those rumors about the show, too. I have heard a thing or two about a fan under the desk that points away from the guests.

What interviewers make you celebri-spiral? Barbara, Diane, Katie?