At the beginning of "Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites", Carlson opens with a quote Larry King had once remarked to him at the 2000 Democratic National Convention, "The trick is to care, but not too much. Give a shit — but not really." From there, Carlson recounts his stumbling into the business of television punditry, starting from his kneejerk acceptance of an invitation to go on "48 Hours" to cover the O. J. Simpson murder case following a late vacancy, despite his acknowledgement of knowing "just about nothing" of it.