Jerry Seinfeld was left dumbfounded when talk show host Larry King requested him in a 2007 interview about his namesake show, which ended in 1998.
“You gave it up, right? They didn’t cancel you? You cancelled them,” King had requested the actor, who was on the show to advertise The Bee Movie.
He sat shocked for a second earlier than he demanded of King, “You’re not aware of this? You think I got cancelled? You’re under the impression I got cancelled? I thought that was pretty well documented.”
NBC had reportedly begged Seinfeld to remain on, even providing him $US5 million (approx. $7.7 million) per episode. He refused, eager to exit with a bang.
King then requested Seinfeld gently, ”Have I hurt you, Jerry?” however Seinfeld spoke over him, angrily asking, “Is this still CNN?”
King continued, “Don’t most shows go down a little?” to which Seinfeld replied, “Most people do also.”
Seinfeld continued to defend himself, saying, “When I went off the air, I was the No. 1 show on television, Larry.
“Do you understand who I’m? 75 million viewers [for] the final episode.”
King wrapped it up, saying “Boy, you are taking it so unhealthy,” before apologising for the question. But Seinfeld wasn’t done, asking staff to get King a resumé of his work to go over during the break.
It wasn’t until King’s death in January 2021, 14 years after the on-air blunder, that the actor shared what really happened.
In a tribute posted to X, formerly Twitter, he wrote, “Always beloved Larry King and will miss him. The ‘cancelled’ bit was simply me having enjoyable together with his little mistake. Nothing extra. Or much less. #ripLarry.”
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