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Information about The Merv Griffin Show

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The Merv Griffin Show was a long-running American television talk show, starring singer Merv Griffin. The series ran from 1962 to 1963 on NBC, 1965 to 1969 again on NBC, from 1969 to 1972 at 11:30 PM ET weeknights on CBS and in first-run syndication from 1972 to 1986.

In 1965, Griffin launched a syndicated version of his talk show for the "Group W" division of Westinghouse Broadcasting. The Merv Griffin Show aired in a variety of time slots throughout North America (many stations ran it in the daytime, some broadcast it opposite Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show, and it was carried for many years in prime time on WNEW in New York). Stations had the option of carrying either a 60-minute or a 90-minute version. Merv's announcer-sidekick was the veteran British character actor Arthur Treacher, who had been his mentor. Treacher would introduce Griffin with the phrase: "And now, the dear boy himself," after reading off the list of guests for that evening's show. After Treacher left the show, Griffin would do the announcing himself, and walk on stage with the phrase: "And now..., here I come!"

On a few occasions Frank Sinatra would make an appearance with his side kicks Jilly Rizzo, Pat Henry and the ever present Petey Bear. Sinatra would never go anywhere without these three as they were his moral boosters. He loved all three of them.

A typical show would begin with a short introduction by Griffin, during which he would sometimes sing a song. Various celebrity guests would follow, conversing with Griffin. Generally the show originated in Los Angeles, but Griffin often taped in Las Vegas. In addition, from 1969 to 1970 the show was located at the Cort Theatre in New York City. One set of popular and regularly returning artists were Motown's premier girl-group, The Supremes who made guest appearances in 1971, 1975 and 1976, with a rotating line up in each show.

From the 1970s to the early 1980s, the show was taped at Caesars Palace.[1]

Griffin's longtime bandleader was Mort Lindsey.

Seinfeld spoofed the show in Season 9, Episode 6, “The Merv Griffin Show,” in which Cosmo Kramer pretends that he hosts his own talk show using discarded material from the Merv show.

Andy Kaufman's appearance on the show was edited into the 1999 biopic Man on the Moon, with Griffin being played by character actor Mike Villani. The movie claims that all guests of the show receive an autographed photograph of Mr. Mervyn Griffin, coupons, and Turtle Wax.

Over the 25 years, Griffin interviewed 25,000 guests, about 1,000 per year.

See also

List of late night network TV programs

References

External links

Seinfeld is an Emmy Award-winning, American sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, running a total of 9 seasons. Many of its catchphrases have entered into the pop culture lexicon.
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talk show (American) or chat show (British) is a television or radio program where one person or group of people come together to discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host.
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Mervyn Edward "Merv" Griffin, Jr. (July 6 1925 – August 12 2007) was an American talk show host, game show host, entertainer, pianist, television personality and raconteur.
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National Broadcasting Company

Type Broadcast television network
Country  United States
Availability    United States, also distributed in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean
Founder David Sarnoff
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In broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast radio shows and television shows to multiple individual stations, without going through a broadcast network.
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The Westinghouse Broadcasting Company, also known as Group W, was the broadcasting division of Westinghouse Electric Corporation. It owned several radio and television stations across the United States and distributed television shows for syndication.
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