For 25 years, it has been good to be King

Ann O'Neill
CNN

Editor's note: It's the end of an era as Larry hangs up his suspenders after 25 years on CNN. We've got a bunch of surprises for him - and you - at 9 ET Thursday night on "Larry King Live." Don't miss it.

Los Angeles (CNN) - "Tonight on Larry King Live. ..."

Spoken in the whiskey and gravel baritone of a man who smoked three packs a day for decades, the words have come to promise a nightly fix of current events and celebrity confessionals.

Now, it's last call. After 25 years, Larry King's record-breaking run as CNN's prime-time, talk-show host ends Thursday night with a grand finale staffers are calling "Larrypalooza."

Led by friend and protégé Ryan Seacrest, a star-studded collection of guests will pay tribute. King will say his goodbyes. And then the set, with its horseshoe-shaped desk and familiar backdrop of multicolored dots, will fade to black.

"It's sad," King said, "but there's a time to go. You know when it's time."

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