THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 10, 1996 TAG: 9602100300
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY BONKO, TELEVISION WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
After a 23-minute flight to Norfolk from Washington on a private jet, and a dinner of chicken and shrimp in mustard sauce at Pasta e Pani on Laskin Road, CNN talkmeiseter Larry King on Friday night spoke at the Virginia Beach Forum's inaugural event, predicting another term in the White House for Bill Clinton - if the election were held today.
And what of Republican candidates who lust after the Oval Office? There are none to match Clinton, the telegenic campaigner.
``Nobody exciting,'' he said.
Not even Steve Forbes, the Republican who came out of nowhere to stir the pot in early primaries and caucuses? How does Forbes rate on the King charisma meter?
A fly crawling up a drape is more exciting, said King who flew off today to Iowa to begin reporting on next week's first big showdown on the campaign trail. And for those who track gossip, be advised that the five-time married, much-engaged King will rendezvous with former talk show host Cyndy Garvey in the heartland.
King at the Pavilion was the Larry King of his radio days, when he signed on Mutual at 11 p.m. and stayed on until dawn. In that life, he took calls from listeners and entertained them with long, long stories about his boyhood in Brooklyn or his early years in broadcasting in Miami. Same deal at the Pavilion.
He took questions.
Does King ever get nervous before a big interview? Never, he said. His favorite interview? Frank Sinatra. Who is No. 1 on his wish list? King is dying to interview the Pope.
Most memorable interview? Marlon Brando, which ended when Brando planted a kiss on King's lips.
``I'm heterosexual, but you know, I can't stop thinking about the guy.''
No doubt the Pope catches King on the tube every once in a while. ``Larry King Live'' is seen in 222 countries.
They see a man in suspenders.
He wore suspenders at the Pavilion.
Soon after being introduced, King shed his blazer and began telling stories about the Mafia (you don't say no when they ask you emcee a benefit), growing up street smart in Brooklyn (a D student in Brooklyn is savvy enough to be mayor of, say, Des Moines) and he dwelled on the art of speaking in public (he once convinced a convention of sheriffs that crime is good because it creates jobs for them).
The audience in the red seats in Virginia Beach saw a man, King said, who thinks of himself as a Jewish kid from Brooklyn who got lucky. King has conquered TV and radio, written best sellers, and writes a column in USA Today. Now another milestone: He wowed 'em in Virginia Beach Friday night at the first-ever Virginia Beach Forum. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Larry King
by CNB