KING’S RATINGS SURGE ON FINALE

For one last time CNN’s Larry King Live was back where it once was as the most-watched cable news show in its time period Thursday night. The finale edged out Hannity on Fox News 2.25 million to 2.24 million. The margin of victory may have been statistically insignificant, but it looked good in the news reports about King’s bow-out, which included appearances by all three broadcast network anchors, Diane Sawyer, Katie Couric and Brian Williams, as well as Barbara Walters. There were also video messages from President Obama and Gov. Schwarzenegger. King interviewed Bill Clinton, then answered questions from his Saturday Night Live doppleganger, Fred Armisen. Bill Maher, Ryan Seacrest, Donald Trump and Suze Orman also made appearances. During his interview with Clinton, King remarked that the two of them were members of “the zipper club.” He later explained that he was referring to the fact that they both had undergone open-heart surgery. “I’m glad you clarified that,” Clinton quipped.