Larry King

As the combined Ed Murrow and Barbara Walters of CNN, this month Larry King celebrates 10 years on the air. To mark the date, the man who boosted H. Ross Perot onto the hustings braces for V.F.'s Proust Questionnaire

Social Study

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

"This will not be dull!" "Tune in tomorrow!" "Only in America!"

What is your favorite occupation?

Exactly what I'm doing. I have the best job in my industry.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

A smiling, happy, contented daughter.

When and where were you happiest?

The night my daughter, Chaia, was born—December 21, 1967, in Miami, Florida. It blew my mind.

What is your greatest fear?

Death. Having had a heart attack—trust me, this is a big fear. I saw no lights, no angels—nothing.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Patience—life is too short.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

My inability to say no, which can lead to three different lunches with three different people at three different places on the same day.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Tardiness.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Ties and shirts and braces. A guy can't have too many.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?

My nose—for obvious reasons. I would never have plastic surgery.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Lincoln. I abhor intolerance.

Which living person do you most despise?

David Duke and the Klan.

Who are your heroes in real life?

Stan Musial, Jackie Robinson, Adlai Stevenson.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Loyalty.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Loyalty, intelligence, and pretty legs.

What is it that you most dislike?

Eggs—I hate the smell and look of them.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

Tommy Lasorda, manager of the Dodgers.

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?

Al Pacino. It would be nice to be Italian and have great talent as an actor.

How would you like to die?

At age 106, in the arms of a 38-year-old Sharon Stone look-alike, while in a deep sleep.

What is your motto?

"If at first you don't succeed, punt."