Discussion Groups / ESL Teaching / April 2004

Hi, there.

I'm reading this book "How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere"
written by Larry King and I can't figure out some expressions.

First of all, "hasten to add".

"....
You can talk out loud to yourself around your house or apartment. I
do. Not often, I hasten to add, but sometimes.
.... "

In this paragraph, What "hasten to add" means?

And secondly,

"....
I respect everyone on my shows-from presidents and Hall of Fame
athletes to Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy of the Muppets, and yes,
I've had them on too.
.... "

"I've had them on" ??  From the context, I guess this expression means
"I was on the air with them" , right?? But, I'm not so sure.

Please help me to understand more about the thinking of the writer.

Thanks in advance,

Marty.