Who elected Larry King America's grief counselor? We, the viewing public, did, by driving up his ratings whenever somebody famous passes.

This quote by James Wolcott offers a sharp critique of how media figures like Larry King become central voices during moments of public mourning, especially when celebrities die. When Wolcott asks, “Who elected Larry King America’s grief counselor?” he’s being rhetorically provocative—no one officially gave King that role, yet he assumed it through his presence on television during such emotionally charged events. The answer, according to Wolcott, is implicit in the public’s own behavior: “We, the viewing public, did,” by consistently tuning in during moments of tragedy.

This quote highlights the media’s role in shaping national emotions and the way audiences contribute to that power by choosing what to watch. By “driving up his ratings whenever somebody famous passes,” viewers reinforce King’s role as a mediator of collective grief, turning personal loss into a public spectacle. Wolcott is pointing to the feedback loop between celebrity culture, broadcast media, and public consumption—where grief becomes content, and ratings are the reward.

Wolcott, a seasoned cultural critic, is known for his commentary on the intersections of media, fame, and public consciousness. His quote critiques not only the media figure but also the audience’s complicity in elevating such roles. It’s a reflection on how celebrity death has become a televised ritual, complete with hosts like King who appear to shepherd the nation through mourning with interviews, memories, and retrospectives.

The origin of this quote likely comes from one of Wolcott’s essays or columns examining television culture and its effect on public behavior. It’s a commentary not just on Larry King himself, but on a broader media phenomenon: the transformation of news anchors into quasi-spiritual figures during national moments of loss, fueled by the very viewers who claim to be passively observing.